Peters, Stabenow Announce Funding to Help Improve Health Care Services for Children in Schools

U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Health Subcommittee of the Senate Finance Committee, today announced seven school-based health centers in Michigan will receive $696,861 from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Health Resouces and Services Administration (HRSA). This funding will increase access to mental health, substance abuse and childhood obesity-related services in school-based health centers. The centers receiving funding are:

• Baldwin Family Health Care in Baldwin - $100,000
• Cherry Health in Grand Rapids - $100,000
• Henry Ford Health System in Detroit - $100,000
• North West Michigan Community Health Agencey in Charlevoix - $97,870
• Oakland Integrated Healthcare Network in Pontiac - $100,000
• St. John Community Health Investment Corporation in Warren - $98,991
• William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak - $100,000

In 2017, Senators Peters and Stabenow introduced the Hallways to Health Act to help school-based health centers improve health care services for children. In Michigan, school-based health centers play a major role in providing basic health services for thousands of students who have limited access to medical care outside of school. Typically, a school-based health center provides a combination of primary care, mental health care, substance abuse counseling, case management, dental health, nutrition education, health education and health promotion activities.

“No matter which school district you live in, every child should have access to trained medical professionals throughout the school day,” said Senator Peters. “I am pleased that this federal funding will help provide quality health care services to more students across Michigan.”

“Too many children across our state do not have access to a family doctor and depend on school-based health centers for basic care,” said Senator Stabenow. “This funding is critical in making sure children across Michigan receive the care they need throughout the school day.”

“We are grateful to US Senators Stabenow and Peters for their advocacy for children’s health,” said Betty Priskorn, Vice President of Community Health and Outreach at Beaumont Health. “This HRSA grant will allow four Beaumont school-based health centers to increase youth access to mental health, substance abuse, and childhood obesity-related services through tele-counseling.  These health centers are located in communities that have a high number of economic and health indicators affecting children and adolescent.”

“For 24 years, Cherry Health has provided essential medical, dental, and behavioral health care at Burton Health Center,” said Julie Tatko, Chief Operations Officer of Cherry Health. “This grant allows us to make improvements to the facility that will enhance our services for Burton students and the community.”

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