Nonprofit health center pitches school-based dental and behavioral services in Grand County

Elevated Community Health on Oct. 28 proposed creating school-based health centers in Grand County schools to expand access to behavioral health and dental care for students.

Representatives Sarah Dayton and CEO Josh Cogdell described the nonprofit’s experience operating 18 school-based sites across nearby counties and said a local need exists for Medicaid-accepting dental care and increased behavioral-health capacity. They told commissioners the centers operate inside school buildings, use parental consent forms, and charge low flat fees for school-site visits while billing insurance when available. As a federally qualified health center (FQHC), the organization said it receives Medicaid reimbursement rates that make care financially sustainable for underserved populations.

Dayton and Cogdell said dental services can operate in modest space using portable equipment (nonporous floor and sink preferred), and behavioral health care typically requires office space and a licensed clinician who can see students by appointment or on a fluid schedule to minimize missed class time. Elevated said staffing can start with part-time clinicians shared across districts and noted student privacy, parental consent and coordination with local providers are core design features.

Commissioners and staff discussed logistics including parental consent forms, whether service access should be limited to enrolled students, staffing and summer availability, and partnerships with local providers including Middle Park Health and Health Solutions West. Elevated said the next steps include parent and staff surveys, development of advisory groups in each district and a business plan leading to board approvals. The county expressed support and encouraged continued coordination with local providers and funders.