This spring, the Community Health Center’s Community Health Council voted to transition the Student Health Center program to a high school-only model over the next two years. The move balances the county’s effort to be operationally efficient and offer equitable access to services, while having the greatest health impact.
“For the past several years, use of our K-8 and middle school locations has decreased, while our high school programs continue to see a larger volume of clients—especially in East County.” said Vanetta Abdellatif, Interim Co-Director of the Health Department and Director of Integrated Clinical Services. “This paired with shrinking resources within the county, meant that we needed to do something different. Consolidating locations will help us reach the greatest number of youth while also managing rising costs.”
At the end of the 2017-18 school year, the Student Health Center program will shift from operating 12 primary care clinics in schools, including eight clinics in high schools and four at K-8 sites, to 10 locations.
The Harrison Park K-8 and Lane Middle School locations in Southeast Portland closed last month. Since the decision to consolidate these sites, clinic teams have worked to transition clients to other Student Health Center or primary care clinics to assure uninterrupted access to care. The remaining two K-8 locations will close and the end of the 2018-19 school year.
“Moving the program to a high school only model, where all K-12 students can access services at any site, will help us stay economically viable for the long haul,” said Alexandra Lowell, Student Health Center program manager. “And its with those eyes to the future, that I’m excited to continue to lead Student Health Center team to have the greatest possible health impact.”
Several factors played into this decision, including low visit volume, lower school enrollment compared to high schools (limiting the reach of the health centers), and state laws requiring parental involvement for care of youth aged 14 and under. Additionally, all K-8 locations were in close proximity to other Student Health Centers, making it possible to transition care.
As the Student Health Center program consolidates locations, leadership and the Community Health Council continue to review opportunities to serve youth in the high-need areas of East County. In 2017, the Board of County Commissioners allocated funds for the Gresham Barlow and Reynolds school districts to explore adding clinics to their high schools. Both Reynolds and Gresham school districts have business plans completed and aim to open SHCs in 2020.
For more information about Student Health Centers: /student-health