SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — The Springfield City School District announced it has received $1 million from the State of Ohio to support a new in-school health center at Springfield High School.
The $3 million wellness center is scheduled to open Aug. 15, but a grand opening ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. Aug. 12.
“We are incredibly grateful to Governor Mike DeWine and the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services for supporting this great initiative to provide greater access to health care for Springfield City School District students and residents,” Superintendent Bob Hill said in a press release. “Students can go to the health center to receive primary care and behavioral health services and then return to class right away – without missing any important lessons.”
The health center’s goal is to prioritize the health and well-being of children and their families, Hill added.
“Increasing access to mental health care for young people and their families was the goal of our Community Assessment and Plan,” Mental Health and Recovery Council CEO Greta Meyer said in a release. “Thanks to the collaboration with Board Chair LeeAnn Cornyn’s funding team and fundraising efforts by our local Springfield City School District, our project was quickly approved by the state and secured the maximum grant amount of $1 million.”
The center has four exam rooms and three mental health treatment rooms. Services include primary care, vaccinations, health screenings, and individual and group mental health counseling. In the future, the center plans to add vision screenings and dental services.
Springfield officials said all 7,700 students in the district’s 17 buildings will be able to access the clinic with parental permission.