ETHS School-Based Health Center Receives Federal Grant
The Evanston Township H.S. (ETHS) School-Based Health Center is one of seventeen school based-health centers in Illinois—among 278 in the nation—that will receive a share of $95 million in federal grant money from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Education. The money is a part of the Affordable Care Act, the federal health care reform passed in 2010, and is the first-ever source of federal funding to uniquely support school-based health centers.
The ETHS Development Office submitted the grant application and the ETHS health center was awarded $72,826 to make the following capital improvements:
• Install new plumbing fixtures consistent with current infection control practices
• Organize supply closets
• Remove floor asbestos and replace badly worn flooring
• Replace worn waiting room and exam room furniture
• Update old appliances and medical equipment
The ETHS Health Center is operated as a community partnership between ETHS, NorthShore University HealthSystem and the City of Evanston Health Department. Some funding also comes from the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS). The center strives to provide health services in a caring environment and promotes healthy lifestyle practices to the students of ETHS. The Health Center also attempts to reduce the barriers students encounter in their efforts to access health care.
"ETHS's school-based health center attends to unmet health care needs by placing health care where the kids are and when they need it. The staff supports students by providing a safe place to talk about sensitive issues such as depression, family problems, relationships, and substance abuse," said Evanston Health Department Director Evonda Thomas.
"They also historically have supported the school environment by helping children stay in school by identifying and addressing health problems that may intervene in the learning process. We are proud to be a partner of the school based health center; they are truly a committed staff who have served this school based health center for over 15 years," added Director Thomas.
As the 15th anniversary of the health center approaches, this grant will provide key renovations that are sorely needed, as the facility and equipment have both aged. Renovations are expected to be complete by August, 2012.