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District 21 school-based health center reports 1,830 visits, large increase in MMR coverage among McKinney-Vento students
Summary
District 21's school-based health center marked its first year with 1,830 visits, same-day medical and mental-health services, rapid PCR testing and an 86% reduction in McKinney-Vento students with incomplete MMR vaccinations, the board was told.
The Wheeling Community Consolidated School District 21 school-based health center marked its first year with 1,830 total patient visits and said it has provided same-day medical and mental-health care to students and staff since opening May 20, 2024.
District and Advocate Health staff told the board Thursday that the center handled more than 1,400 student visits and more than 300 staff visits between its opening and April 30, 2025, and performed 565 point-of-care diagnostic tests (strep, COVID, flu, RSV and others).
"We provide access to high quality medical and mental health care to both staff and students," said Erica Slack, the health center's nurse practitioner. Slack and other Advocate representatives outlined services including on-site immunizations, same-day appointments, free care regardless of insurance status, interpreter services and transportation for patients.
The presentation said the center has gold-standard rapid PCR testing for respiratory viruses and a rapid strep PCR that returns results in about 30 minutes, allowing on-site treatment when needed. Slack gave detailed visit counts and scheduling norms: vaccine-only visits about 15 minutes, sick visits roughly 40 minutes and mental-health appointments about 45 minutes.
Board members and staff highlighted population and equity impacts. The center's staff reported that a large share of students were insured by Medicaid or uninsured and that outreach helped during a recent measles outbreak. The board presentation said the district reduced the number of McKinney-Vento students with incomplete MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) records from 49 in March 2024 to 7 as of May 2025, an 86% reduction, as vaccination clinics and targeted outreach continued.
Staff also reported 428 mental health appointments during the reporting period and said they recently added a social worker to expand behavioral-health capacity. "Absolutely," Slack said when asked whether the district could increase mental-health services; she added that closer collaboration with in-district social workers and MTSS leaders is planned.
Officials discussed sustainability and billing. Advocate currently does not bill patients at the center; Slack said she is credentialed with Medicaid and that billing is possible but must be applied consistently across patients ("if you bill one, you have to bill everyone"). The board asked about using other Advocate clinics for care outside center hours; staff confirmed options exist, including an Advocate immediate-care location.
Board members praised the center's work and urged continued outreach and measures to reduce no-shows, which staff said they are addressing with reminders and coordination through school nurses. The district said it will keep pursuing grants and fundraising to support the center and expand awareness via registration materials, mailings and in-person outreach.
The board heard multiple parent and staff testimonials about quick access and convenience during the school year and noted plans for additional vaccine and dental days, health-promotion nights, and staff wellness screenings.
Sources: Erica Slack (nurse practitioner, District 21/Advocate health center), Laura (Advocate school health manager), Dr. Connelly (Superintendent, introduced the update).
