The board approved an amendment to the district’s contract with Community Health Center, Inc. (CHC) to expand the scope of the Driggs school-based health center to include on-site medical and behavioral health services and permanent dental in addition to the mobile dental already provided.

Director of Health Eishlyn McLaughlin told the board CHC will apply to the Health Resources and Services Administration to add the services. She said the district renovated classroom space at Driggs into a suite with a dental office, behavioral health room, exam room and waiting area using state ARPA funds (two $20,000 awards). McLaughlin said the amendment aims to make services available at the school rather than relying on students to enroll at other school sites.

McLaughlin provided enrollment figures for the school-based health centers: 1,209 students are enrolled systemwide; 983 of those are at two large site complexes (North End and Crosby/Wallace), and 230 enrolled students are from other schools. McLaughlin said the contractor and the health department are increasing outreach through public-service announcements, community events and targeted enrollment at the welcome center and summer events.

Commissioners raised concerns that some students and families still believe services are limited to students at host schools; staff described ongoing outreach at summer food sites, community pop-ups and back-to-school events to increase awareness. The amendment was included in the consent calendar and approved as part of that motion.