Ann Arbor Middle School Integrates Health Services Successfully

by Elizabeth Haller, Supervisor, Coordinated Health and School Safety Programming, Michigan Department of Education and Carrie Tarry, Adolescent Health Coordinator, Michigan Department of Community Health

G Health Place 101 (HP101), a school-based health center, located in Scarlett Middle School in Ann Arbor, has fully integrated its health services into the school community and has enjoyed tremendous support from school administration, parents, students, and community members. The mission of HP101 is to promote the health and holistic growth of the students and families of the school communities it serves. Health services are provided a total of 35 hours per week to youth at Scarlett Middle School. In the 2002-2003 school year, the top five conditions were sprain/strain, upper respiratory infection, diet surveillance/counseling, asthma, and pharyngitis.

Over the course of one school year, HP101 increased adolescent immunization rates of Scar-lett students by 68 percent. Fifty percent of students completing the asthma program increased their attendance by three school days.

In order for school-based health centers to be effective in the school environment, it is critical to have staff buy-in and support. Over 90 percent of teachers at Scarlett Middle School reported having referred students to HP101. Of those, 70 percent referred students for both medical and social work services, 25 percent referred only for medical services, and 5 percent referred only for social work services.

A satisfaction survey of Scarlett parents revealed that 97 percent of parents thought the services were helpful to their children, 87 percent reported that the appointment times were convenient for both the child and parent, and 100 percent were either satisfied or very satisfied with the care they received from the clinic staff. HP101 serves as just one example of the benefits of collaboration between schools and health centers in Michigan.

For more information, contact Carol Shakarian, Principal, Scarlett Middle School, 3300 Lorraine St., Ann Arbor, MI 48108, (734) 971-1694, fax (734) 971-1274.

Full-Service Schools and School-Based Health Centers Can Raise Student Achievement

by Elizabeth Haller, Supervisor, Coordinated Health and School Safety Programming, Michigan Department of Education and Carrie Tarry, Adolescent Health Coordinator, Michigan Department of Community Health

Educators, parents, policy-makers, philan-thropists, business leaders, young people, and communities are teaming up in new ways to expand the range of programs and supports schools have traditionally offered to students
burdened with personal concerns.

Full-service schools create a cooperative environment that supports its students, fosters school success, and strengthens communities through engagement. Communities play a critical role in creating full-service schools on school grounds or in locations that are easily accessible. These full-service schools link educational, medical, social, and human services that are beneficial to meeting the needs of children and their families. Just as children do better with the support of their families, schools and school districts are invigorated by the commitment and dedication of communities. When parents and children see themselves as valued stakeholders, and when school-based service providers and community agencies are included in administrative processes that focus on the success of all students, things begin to improve for the entire community.

Family Resource Centers Offer Services and Resources

Governor Jennifer M. Granholm’s Children’s Action Network has been working to put such resources and services in place, piloting a program in 20 schools in Michigan to establish Family Resource Centers. The Family Resource Centers are located within high priority schools to coordinate services according to goals developed and shared by the family, community, school, and all other agencies involved. These centers serve as a “one-stop shop” for family services within or near a neighborhood school. Some of the long-term goals of the centers include:

• Creating a user-friendly environment for families in need of state and local human services.
• Pooling resources of state and local agencies for efficiency.
• Ensuring that families’ needs are met through comprehensive services that lead them toward stability.

The Family Independence Agency has made these centers a financial priority based on the belief that providing early intervention and prevention services will save money long term. Initial reaction from local communities is overwhelmingly positive. Anecdotal evidence from families served indicates that classroom behavior is improving and family stability is increasing.

Governor Granholm announced that 20 additional sites are scheduled to open by September 2004. “This is not a pilot; it is a movement,” she says.

For more information, contact: Elizabeth Haller, Michigan Department of Education, P.O. Box 30008, Lansing, MI 48909, (517) 335-0565, hallere@michigan.gov or Carrie Tarry, Division of Family and Community Health, Michigan Department of Community Health, P.O. Box 30195, Lansing, MI 48909, (517) 373-3740, tarryc@michigan.gov.

What Are School-Based/School-Linked Health Centers?

School-Based/School-Linked Health Centers, which have been operating in Michigan for over 15 years, are an integral component of the full-service school approach. School-based health centers (SBHC) are located on school grounds, and school-linked health centers (SLHC) are located in the community but have strong ties to neighboring schools. Both types of centers are staffed by health professionals (physician, nurse practitioner, or other primary caregiver) and provide age-appropriate, comprehensive, primary care services to uninsured, underinsured, and publicly insured school-aged children and their families. Centers ensure that all youth have access to health care and related support services.

Over 60 centers located throughout Michigan serve more than 74,000 youth per year. The state-supported centers target youth 10-21 years of age and are located primarily in middle and high schools in areas that are medically underserved and where multiple health and social problems exist. The centers address complex problems through prevention, early detection, and prompt intervention of health and related conditions. All centers are required to have:

• A working agreement with the school district.
• Signed parental consent before students can access services.
• Services for students year-round and an active advisory group comprised of parents, school staff, and community health agency personnel to oversee the activities of the center.

State-funded centers offer services including risk reduction and health education information; general medical care, minor acute care, and immunizations;
mental health counseling and support services; and assistance in managing chronic diseases such as asthma, diabetes, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) among others. The centers improve health and academic achievement by supporting students to stay in school and receive medical help without leaving school grounds.

Expected outcomes include improved attendance rates, decreased dropout rates, decreased substance abuse rates, decreased incidents of violence within the school, and decreased need for emergency room and urgent care services. The centers address complex problems through prevention, early detection, and prompt intervention of health and related conditions.*

The Michigan Departments of Education and Community Health work collaboratively to support schools and communities in providing comprehensive services to improve the academic success of all students.

To learn more about the state-supported program, you can call the Michigan Department of Education at (517) 335-0565 or the Michigan Department of Community Health at (517) 335-8906. The School-Community Health Alliance of Michigan is a provider network for centers statewide and provides training and technical assistance opportunities for members.

To learn more go to www.scha-mi.org or call (517) 381-8000, ext. 219.

*2003 Michigan Department of Community Health, Legislative Report; School-Community Health Alliance of Michigan

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