Lynnwood, WA: High school opens clinic; includes "behavioral/mental health services"

July 1, 2022, Lynwood (WA) Times: County’s first School-based Health Center coming to Meadowdale High School https://lynnwoodtimes.com/2022/07/01/school-based-health-center-220701/

LYNNWOOD – Community Health Center of Snohomish County will open a new school-based health center (SBHC) at the Edmond’s School District’s Meadowdale High School starting this fall. This will be the first SBHC in Snohomish County. There are currently more than 65 SBHCs operating in Washington State, with a high concentration in King County supported by local levies. House Bill 1225 concerning SBHCs passed by the state legislature and was signed into law by the Governor on April 16, 2021. This bill creates a state SBHC program office in the Department of Health. Its role will be to provide grant funding, partnership, and technical assistance to SBHCs. We can expect to see more communities start their SBHC planning efforts in the coming months and years thanks to this investment in school-based health care. The Meadowdale High SBHC is made possible by a partnership between Edmonds School District and Community Health Center of Snohomish County. Verdant Health Commission supports the launch of SBHCs in Edmonds School District and has been working with the partners on their implementation plans. The SBHC will also partner with other community-based service providers currently serving students at Meadowdale High School. At the core of their scope of service, SBHCs provide age-appropriate primary care services, integrated behavioral/mental health services, and health education to students in school. The Meadowdale High SBHC will offer many of the same services that one can get at a community-based clinic: well child checks and sports physicals; immunizations; chronic condition management; evaluation and treatment of common health problems; health education; age-appropriate reproductive health services; mental health, behavioral health, and social emotional health services; oral health care; and referrals to other health care providers and specialists as needed. SBHC services will be available to all Meadowdale High School students and services will be available during the school day….

Verdant Health Commission currently supports school-based services at Meadowdale High School. They plan to engage the current school-based providers in the planning process for the SBHC to ensure that those closest to the existing work have a voice in identifying needs, gaps in services, and care coordination opportunities. ..