The Springfield City School District has been awarded $1 million by the State of Ohio as a capital priority through the Mental Health Recovery Board of Clark, Greene & Madison Counties, to support its new school-based health center at Springfield High School. A ribbon cutting for the $3 million health center is set for August 12 at 10 AM. It will open for use on August 15.
MORE INFO: The Health Center at Springfield High Webpage
“We are incredibly grateful to Gov. Mike DeWine and the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services for supporting this exciting initiative that gives our students and residents of the Springfield City School District additional access to health care,” said Superintendent Dr. Bob Hill. “Students can go to the health center to get treated for primary care and behavioral health services and get back to class quickly. They won’t miss out on important instruction.” This public-private partnership, he emphasized, was possible because everyone involved prioritized the goal of improving the health and wellness of children and their families.
“Increasing access to mental health care for youth and families is a goal of our Community Assessment & Plan,” explained Dr. Greta Mayer, CEO of the Mental Health Recovery Board. “With the help of Director LeeAnne Cornyn’s capital team and fundraising efforts by the local Springfield City School District, our project was quickly approved by the State for the maximum award of $1 million.”
School Board Vice President Joan Elder said, “This generous financial investment was critical to the health center. The funding from Gov. DeWine and Director Cornyn of the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services is making this new health care service possible. It’s a win for students and for Springfield families who don’t have health insurance or a primary care physician.”
Rocking Horse Community Health Center, an established and trusted healthcare provider with 25 years of service in Clark County, will operate the health center. As a Federally Qualified Health Center, the health center will accept all patients regardless of their ability to pay.
“We’re excited to collaborate with Springfield City School District on this project,” said Dr. Yamini Teegala, CEO of Rocking Horse Community Health Center. “Having the health center within the Springfield High School building will allow us to be where students are and to treat health issues quickly. Some patients may not have transportation to get to a medical appointment, or they may have to wait to be seen. The health center will reduce these barriers to health care, preventing illnesses from getting worse, and no one will be turned away.”
The health center, which will have four exam rooms and three additional rooms for mental health treatment, will provide primary care, vaccinations, health screenings and individual/group mental health counseling. Any patient who needs services that are not offered at the health center will be referred to appropriate outside agencies. In collaboration with the school district, Rocking Horse plans to add vision and dental services in the future.
All 7,700 Springfield students in the District’s 17 buildings, from preschool to Grade 12, may use the clinic with parental consent.
An area on the east side of the high school lower level was renovated to provide space for the health center. Parking is available behind the Springfield High School Stadium.