York City’s high school is about to get a school-based health center.
On Friday, Family First Health, a federally qualified health center, announced it plans to open a student-based health center at William Penn Senior High School.
The full-service primary care office will serve the school’s 1,600 students, expanding on the existing health office with student access to medical and integrated behavioral healthcare.
The health center already operates a school-based health center at Hannah Penn, a K-8 school. The new center will offer similar services found at the Hannah Penn center, including primary care, integrated behavioral health care, health and wellness coaching and mobile school dentistry.
“We know accessible healthcare provides greater opportunity for students,” said Jenny Englerth, Family First Health president and CEO. “When they can access the health care they need, students learn better, attendance rates improve, and graduation rates increase.”
Lancaster and Chambersburg also have school-based health centers.
Studies show that students who have access to school-based health centers do better in school, have higher high school graduation rates, and decreased school disciplinary issues, according to the School-Based Health Alliance.
Teenagers who are reluctant to see a doctor are more likely to get help for health issues like depression and anxiety, if they have access to a school-based health center, according to a report by KidsHealth.
“For almost 30 years we have had a longstanding relationship with Family First Health and our students have benefitted,” said Dr. Andrea Berry-Brown, Superintendent of the School District of the City of York. “We are excited because this new center at William Penn Senior High School allows us to give students access to seamless medical and behavioral health care services pre-K through 12th grade. We will reach more students and continue to show that when the community works together, it’s better for our students.”
William Penn Senior High School is ranked in the bottom 50% of all schools in Pennsylvania for overall test scores, according to US News & World Report. The school ranks 100% of its students as economically disadvantaged. It is the only high school in York.
There are about 2,500 school-based health clinics across the country.
Donations and pledges are being accepted through Family First Health to support the center at William Penn with a fundraising goal of $1.2 million.