Boston, MA – South End Community Health Center (SECHC) was recently awarded $488,500 for a school-based health center at the Blackstone Elementary School. These dollars awarded through Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), are part of the Affordable Care Act- with over $95 million going to over 278 school-based health center programs across the country. This Act will help clinics expand and provide access to more health care services at schools nationwide.
With these grant dollars, SECHC will build a new school-based health center at the Blackstone Elementary School which will provide primary care, dental services and behavioral health services to nearly 570 school children. The expanded behavioral health children services now offer children and families in the South End and surrounding areas access to high quality services regardless of where they receive their primary care.
“We are thrilled to be part of this innovative effort put forth by HRSA- as we all know the health of a child is first and foremost in ensuring their success in out and of school and SECHC is proud to play a key role in providing access to care,” said Robert Johnson, Chief Executive Officer of SECHC.
The renovation project will be comprised of a 1,930 square-foot build-out with two exam rooms, two dental rooms and three mental health offices in the 400 Shawmut Avenue location. This space is directly connected to the school on the second floor, and the opening of the center is estimated to be February, 2012. SECHC’s long term plans are to renovate the rest of the space, an additional 4,000 square feet, to expand our child mental health services to the South End community and surrounding neighborhoods.
“We are excited about our partnership with the SECHC and look forward to working with families in providing access to primary care services that will help our children maximize academic achievement in the school,” said Cynthia Paris-Jeffries, Principal at the Blackstone Elementary School.
Press Conference and Groundbreaking Ceremony
When: Tuesday, October 11, 2011, 2:00p.m.
Where: 400 Shawmut Avenue, Boston, MA 02118
About South End Community Health Center
South End Community Health Center is a community-based health provider in the South End and surrounding neighborhoods offering services in pediatrics, adult and family medicine, obstetrics/gynecology, eye care services, mental health and dental services with specialty services in asthma, dermatology, diabetes, neurology, nutrition and podiatry serving over 70,000 patient visits each year. SECHC also provides WIC (Women, Infants and Children), childhood obesity prevention, homeless assistance, perinatal and case management services.
About Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
The Health Resources and Services Administration is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. HRSA is the primary Federal agency responsible for improving access to health care services for people who are uninsured, isolated, or medically vulnerable. For more information about HRSA and its programs, visit www.hrsa.gov
