Keeping Framingham Students Healthy and in School

February 4, 2010

Framingham High School students with medical needs, ranging from physicals or vaccines to treatment for flu symptoms, can take advantage of the school’s health center that opened Jan. 4.

The health center is operated by the Framingham Community Health Center (FCHC) out of a shared office with the school nursing team. It is staffed by FCHC nurse practitioner Cathy Devine and a secretary.

"It allows us to provide access to real medical care to adolescents," said Judy Styer, the school district’s director of health services. "We look at it as a real advantage to our students."

The health center provides medical care to any high schooler who needs it, with parental consent, in part so students don’t have to leave school to be treated, and also to reach students who don’t have a doctor.

"It’s a really efficient and really effective way of providing health services to students during the school day," said Paula Kaminow, FCHC executive director. "It also gives access to students who wouldn’t otherwise have access to medical care."

Getting the new health center up and running has been in the making since 2006, when FCHC and school officials began talking about offering community health services at the high school.

It was licensed by the state Dept. of Public Health in December and opened Jan. 4 in the nurses office. Its space includes an office, examination room and small laboratory.

Since opening, the health center has typically seen a handful of students a day, up to a peak of eight, Devine said. Outreach is under way to let students and parents know the center is open.

Principal Mike Welch said he has sent an e-mail about it to families, and is sending hard copies in multiple languages to the approximately 25 percent of families without e-mail addresses listed with the school.

Welch said he’s seen how students are benefiting from the health center, and that having it reduces the hurdles students face by not being in class because they need medical attention.

"We’re in the business of educating kids, and you can’t educate an empty seat," he said. "It’s been really wonderful and I’m hoping we see even more people taking advantage."

FCHC received start-up funding for the health center through a $38,000 grant from the MetroWest Community Health Care Foundation, used for minor renovations, supplies and some staffing costs.

The services provided are free to students who don’t have health insurance, while the center bills the insurance company, not the family, of those with insurance. The staff also helps uninsured families get insurance for the students, and Devine reaches out to teachers, guidance counselors, social workers and others who might know students who need medical care but don’t have access to it.

Parents sign a consent form and a brief basic health questionnaire before their child gets treatment. Devine also refers parents to other FCHC clinics if they or their other children need care.

Students are referred by the school nurses, can make an appointment or often just show up, Devine said.

Deval Shan-Canning, medical director at FCHC, said the concept of placing community health centers in schools works because teens can seek medical attention easily during their school day.

"Being in their environment, in their space, on their time is the model that makes sense for adolescent care," she said. "This model really meets those needs."