Geneva school officials and Anchor Point propose family resource center to provide no-cost primary care and wraparound services

Representatives from Anchor Point and Geneva City Schools on June 8 outlined plans to convert a house on the high school campus into a family resource center aimed at delivering health care and social services to students and the wider community.

"One of our goals ... would be to make sure every single student gets a primary care visit at no cost to them," said Joe Spices, who identified himself as a representative of Anchor Point Strategies. Presenters said a recent needs assessment of more than 100 local stakeholders identified primary care, behavioral health and transportation as top priorities.

The proposed facility would use the existing house’s basement for pantry and distribution services and convert upstairs space into service areas, including two exam rooms, counseling rooms and a small lab for basic tests such as throat cultures. Partners named in the presentation included Signature Health and local service organizations; the district would provide space while outside providers deliver care.

Speakers said many services would be delivered at no cost to patients because providers would bill Medicaid or other third-party payers; the district would charge rent to providers and use those revenues to sustain non-Medicaid services. Julie Ramos of Anchor Point said the center model has expanded in other communities from a few initial offerings to dozens of services over several years.

Funding is still being finalized. The presenters said a recent application to the state capital budget was declined but other opportunities remain, including a pending request to the Morrison Foundation and the district’s existing Disadvantaged Pupil Impact Aid (DPIA) funds. "We're going to be able to start the house using some of that aid that we've been given by the state," a presenter said, noting that further private and federal grants would support build-out and operations.

Council members asked about operating hours and logistics; presenters recommended daytime hours with evening clinics (for example 8 a.m.–3 p.m. with 4–7 p.m. evening hours for specific programs) and described arrangements for evening legal-aid clinics and tax-preparation nights.

The school district plans to present additional details, including architect drawings and cost estimates, to the board on June 24. The presenters said architects are in place and that, if funding is secured and no construction surprises occur, renovation and a phased opening could occur this fall.

Next steps: the district and Anchor Point will continue fundraising and finalize agreements with health partners and funders, and the board will review plans at its June 24 meeting.