NEWS INFORMATION FROM |
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THE OFFICE OF MAYOR STEPHEN R. REED |
FOR IMMEDIATE USE |
HEALTHCARE COMPANIES FUND DENTAL & PREVENTIVE HEALTH CARE PROGRAM FOR CITY STUDENTSMayor Stephen R. Reed and Aaron Walton, Chairman of the Highmark Foundation and Gateway Health Plan, today announced that Harrisburg city school students will receive free in-school dental and health care services as part of a 2-year demonstration project being undertaken by the city, school district, Highmark Foundation, Gateway Health Plan, Hamilton Health Center and United Concordia Companies. The innovative effort is designed to show that improved health and dental care services for children can help to improve academic achievement. Reed said the unique program is being funded through a grant provided by the Highmark Foundation, and will be implemented through a partnership with the Hamilton Health Center, which currently provides similar programming at the Foose Elementary School in South Harrisburg. The new effort will continue the services offered at Foose, and expand it to include two additional elementary schools, Camp Curtin and Downey Elementary schools. Ultimately, children attending other schools will receive their care at any of the three school-based clinics. Highmark Foundation and Gateway Chairman Walton said the program “is based on the belief that every child should come to school each day healthy, fit and ready to learn. By receiving proper dental and health care, and learning the importance of physical fitness, we think they will have a better chance of succeeding in school and life.” Mayor Reed said the program will involve the pre-screening of city school students to determine their current level of care or conditions in need of attention, with proper care or referral to other medical or social services. Students in need of dental care will receive age-appropriate care that includes filling cavities, sealants, and cleanings. General health care will realize increased emphasis on health management, tracking of services, needs and health indicators such as Body-Mass Indexes (BMI), progress monitoring, case management and follow-up. “This will enhance the role of school nurses and other health staff,” said the Mayor. “What has traditionally been a mostly reactive school medical care system is evolving into a preventive, more immediate and concentrated delivery system that will holistically address students’ needs over the long run.” “No child should be denied the opportunity to learn because of barriers to proper dental and health care, and this program is a major step in ensuring that.” Reed said key to the success of the effort will be the close collaboration of community health and social service agencies with the school district and especially parents, who are a critical element of the program: “Parents must take an active role in follow-up and other care,” the mayor noted. |
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