Urbana School Health Center Supplies Local Resource for State Mandated Dental Exams and School Physicals
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 23, 2007
Contact
Heidi Britton, Program Coordinator
(217) 239-4220
Lori A. Holmes, Public Relations
(217) 531-2927
Urbana School Health Center Supplies Local Resource for State Mandated Dental Exams and School Physicals
Urbana, IL – The Illinois State Board of Education requires that all children in grades K, 2 and 6 have an oral health exam. This exam must be completed prior to May 15, 2007. Students entering the Early Childhood Program, K, 5th or 9th grade must complete a physical exam and have the physical exam on file with the school district by the first day of school. The Urbana School Health Center (USHC), located at the Urbana High School at 1002 South Race Street, offers parents of students in the Urbana School District a convenient way to accomplish these exams. Parents may elect to have these exams completed during the school day by the professional staff at USHC. Parents interested in taking advantage of this program are encouraged to complete a consent form, available at USHC and call 217-239-4220 to arrange for an appointment.
USHC has been instrumental in improving the health focus and quality of life for the students at the Urbana School District. Since opening its doors in 2004, the USHC has not only been seeing Urbana School District students daily, but has seen an increase in the number of students using the service. The USHC has potentially saved lives by preventing and treating chronic illnesses such as diabetes and asthma; substance abuse counseling; providing critical mental health services, like grief therapy, crisis intervention and suicide prevention; providing acute care for upper respiratory infections, colds and flus; making available necessary preventative measures such as physicals, immunizations and nutritional education; and ensuring proper oral health by supplying necessary dental examinations and treatments.
“Today’s parents often feel overwhelmed. Schedule conflicts, transportation challenges and financial burdens often keep the personal health care of their students from being a priority.” said Heidi Britton, Program Coordinator for the Urbana School Health Center. “USHC provides a comprehensive individualized care package for each student, which can be utilized during the school day, alleviating many of these conflicts.”
Currently 60% of the Urbana School District students are enrolled in the USHC program. A signed consent form, available at the USHC, from a parent or guardian is all that is necessary to gain unlimited access to these professional healthcare services. USHC accepts most private insurances as well as Medicaid. A sliding fee scale based on income is available for those individuals without health insurance.
Demand for convenient and affordable medical and dental healthcare is high. The USHC is dedicated to being receptive to the community’s needs. In January 2007, in response to the higher demand for dental access for minors, USHC increased dental services availability for all students to five days a week.
USHC has also observed an increased request for mental health services. USHC currently provides a full time student health center therapist who not only carries a full caseload but also has an active wait list. “The demand for mental health services in the Urbana Community at large is high, particularly for those individuals that are low income or Medicaid eligible. A limited number of providers accept Medicaid and those that do have long wait lists,” added Ms. Britton.
National and local studies have shown that school health centers decrease school absenteeism, reduce emergency room visits and lessen unhealthy behaviors in students that compromise academic success.
The Urbana School Health Center is committed to enhancing the Urbana School District students’ academic and healthy lifestyle choices. For more information about Urbana School Health Center’s programs and services, visit us on the web at www.c-uphd.org/urbanacenter.html.
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