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Bibb County accepts nearly $1M state grant to build school-based health center at L.H. Williams Elementary
Summary
The board accepted a $998,277 grant from the Georgia Department of Education to construct a school-based health center at L.H. Williams Elementary; First Choice Primary Care will provide clinical services and bill insurers directly to sustain operations after state startup funds expire.
The Bibb County Board of Education unanimously accepted a competitive grant from the Georgia Department of Education Office of Whole Child Supports for $998,277 to fund construction of a school-based health center at L.H. Williams Elementary.
What the grant covers and provider partnership
District staff said the award covers construction and start-up costs for a school-based health center. The district named First Choice Primary Care as the health-care sponsor that will provide comprehensive care to students, families and staff at L.H. Williams Elementary. A district representative said the grant provides two years of operating costs and that long-term sustainability will be driven by "insurance, reimbursement" through direct patient billing by the federally qualified health-center sponsor.
District role and finances
Board members asked whether the district will pay First Choice to run the clinic; the district replied, "No. We do not. We just provide the space, for them to provide the services to our students." Administrators said an MOU with First Choice was already established and would cover the arrangement for operations and billing.
Vote and next steps
The acceptance motion passed unanimously and will be sent to the consent agenda. District staff said the school-based health center will operate during school hours and deliver on-site medical care for students, staff and families. The district noted prior ribbon-cutting and similar initiatives at other schools and said additional centers may follow.
