YORK, Pa. — Students in a York school district now have easier access to medical care thanks to a new school-based health center.
Family First Health’s clinic in the School District of the City of York will provide the nearly 2,000 students at William Penn Senior High School with comprehensive primary medical and behavioral healthcare, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay.
“We know that when healthcare is accessible on school campuses, it improves academic success by reducing the amount of time students are outside of the classroom to receive medical care,” said Jenny Englerth, Family First Health president and CEO. “Starting today, we will provide care to the students at William Penn Senior High School to further support healthcare accessibility and student success in York.”
District officials say 55% of students in the SDCY live in acute poverty. In 2018, the district reported that 28% of its students did not finish the year in the school they started in.
Poverty, the inability to miss work, limited transportation, lack of health insurance and high costs of treatment are just some of the barriers parents in York face when trying to access medical attention for their children.
“Accessible healthcare in our high school is vital to supporting both the physical and mental well-being of our students, ensuring they have access to essential medical resources,” says Dr. Andrea Berry-Brown, superintendent of the School District of the City of York. “Through our incredible partnership with Family First Health, students receive regular health assessments that help identify potential issues early on. This proactive approach allows for timely interventions, creating a healthier learning environment while promoting lifelong wellness habits.”
The clinic in William Penn Senior High School is FFH’s second school-based health center in York County. The first, at Hannah Penn Pre-K-8, offers primary care, integrated behavioral health care and health and wellness coaching to more than 40% of the students at the school, benefitting nearly 2,000 families, organizers say.
“I commend Family First Health’s dedication to making sure every child is covered, regardless of their family’s financial situation and I am so excited to now have their presence at York City’s William Penn Senior High School,” says Representative Carol Hill-Evans. “Health care is not just about treating illnesses but about fostering an environment where children can thrive both in and outside the classroom. When students are healthy, they are better able to focus, participate and succeed in school.”
The National Health Institute conducted a study and found that opening a school-based health center during their study period was associated with a 4.1% increase in overall graduation rate and improved GPAs, FFH said. Similarly, a study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health which examined 17 school-based health centers in a large urban area, found that students experienced a 1.02% monthly decline in attendance before receiving mental health care. After their first mental health appointment, their attendance improved by 1.44% per month. These findings show that with access to healthcare, students not only improve academically but enhances their overall wellbeing, FFH said.
Parents can sign their students up for medical services at William Penn Senior High School here.
The form is available in English, Spanish and Haitian Creole.