The Michigan departments of Community Health and Education announced 17 new awards for school-based and school-linked health centers. The expansion of the Child and Adolescent Health Center (CAHC) Program includes nine newly funded planning grants and nine newly funded clinical centers.

These sites, located throughout Michigan, will provide on-site primary health care, psycho-social services, health promotion/disease prevention, education and referral services for medically underserved children and ages 5-21. These additional awards serve to strengthen and grow a successful program, which currently has 57 state-funded sites throughout Michigan. All centers participate in Medicaid outreach and enrollment. Other services may include mental health, screening, health education, and group sessions.

“These grants are critical to the school-based and school-linked centers in these various communities,” said Janet Olszewski, director for the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH). “It is important that we continue to provide needed access to health care for our underserved Michigan students who otherwise would have a difficult time receiving medical treatment.”

“Healthy students achieve at higher levels,” said state Superintendent of Public Instruction Mike Flanagan. “These child and adolescent health centers provide health care services and hope for students to get past their health challenges and focus on education.”

For more information on the Child and Adolescent Health Program please contact Taggert Doll, MDCH at 517.335.9720 or dollt@michigan.gov.