Governor DeWine Celebrates Grand Opening of
New School-Based Health Center at Springfield High School
The Health Center at Springfield High will enhance student
well-being and mental health, promote a healthy learning
environment, and ensure students and their families
thriveSpringfield Ribbon Cutting
Governor Mike DeWine and other Springfield community leaders cut the
ribbon to officially open the new Health Center at Springfield High
(SPRINGFIELD, Ohio)—Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department
of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) Director LeeAnne
Cornyn today took part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the
grand opening of a comprehensive school-based health center on the
campus of Springfield High School.
The Health Center at Springfield High, which opens just in time for
the start of the 2024-2025 school year, will provide a range of
services – including both primary care and mental health services –
to support the needs of all 7,700 students in the Springfield City
School District, as well as their parents and other members of the
Springfield community.
“School-based health clinics have been proven to positively impact
not only students’ health, but also their academic performance,”
said Governor DeWine, who, in his most recent State of the State
address, urged school districts across the state to add more
school-based health clinics in their communities. “The new Health
Center at Springfield High will help ensure students are physically,
mentally, and emotionally at their best so they can thrive in the
classroom and reach their full potential.”
MEDIA: B-roll and Governor Interview Soundbites
Springfield HS Remarks
Governor DeWine addresses the audience in attendance for Monday's
ribbon-cutting ceremony at Springfield High School
Springfield City School District was awarded $1 million in capital
funding from OhioMHAS to help complete the project – which included
transforming several former classrooms into clinic space.
“Under Governor DeWine’s leadership, Ohio has made tremendous
strides toward giving young people greater access to the services
and supports they need to live well,” said OhioMHAS Director LeeAnne
Cornyn. “Students won’t have to take off school to see the doctor,
and parents won’t have to miss work. Removing these barriers can
lead to increased utilization of services and, ultimately, greater
wellness and student success. We’re proud to have contributed to
this project and look forward to seeing positive results for years
to come.”
The Health Center will be operated by Rocking Horse Community
Health Center – an established and trusted health care provider with
25 years of service in Clark County.
The $3 million, 5,000-square-foot facility features four exam rooms
to provide primary care, vaccinations, health screenings, as well as
three additional rooms for individual and group mental health
counseling. There are also plans to add vision and dental services
in the future.
Each student in the district’s 17 buildings – from preschool
through grade 12 – will have access to the clinic with parental
consent. Students will be able to schedule appointments with health
care professionals or walk-in if they are feeling unwell.
“We are incredibly grateful to Governor 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,” added Springfield City School District 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.”
In addition to students, the Health Center will also serve parents,
school employees, and all community members across Springfield.
As a Federally Qualified Health Center, the new facility will
accept all patients, regardless of their ability to pay. Any patient
who needs services that are not offered at the Health Center will be
referred to outside agencies that can appropriately serve their
needs.
In addition to OhioMHAS and Rocking Horse, the school district also
worked on the project alongside several other supporting partners
including the Community Health Foundation; the Mental Health
Recovery Board of Clark, Greene, and Madison Counties; the City of
Springfield; the Springfield Foundation; Health Resources and
Services Administration; the Crabill Family Foundation; the Wilson
Sheehan Foundation; Greg and Alicia Hupp; John Legend; IH Credit
Union; Huntington Bank; and Park National Bank.
“This Health Center is what happens when an entire community comes
together in support of a common goal,” said Governor DeWine. “This
center will support all of Springfield and is a win for families who
don’t have health insurance or a primary care physician. No one will
be turned away from receiving help when they need it.”
Read More & FAQs: The Health Center at Springfield High
Springfield Group Photo
The audience for Monday's ribbon-cutting ceremony joins Governor
DeWine and other project leaders for a group photo |
