GRESHAM, Ore. — The Gresham-Barlow School District has opened its first free student health center across the street from Gresham High School.
This $3 million building will give students the care they need without missing as much time in the classroom. The approach focuses not just on physical development but mental health, as well.
Taking kids out of school for a doctor’s appointment can be a burden for working parents. Gresham High School sophomore Jayla Johnson experienced this firsthand.
“Last year for basketball, I needed to get my physical, and it was really hard because my mom was busy with work and everything. Transportation was really hard, like trying to go to different schools to get a physical,” Johnson said.
With the new health center, Gresham-Barlow School District is working to lighten this load.
“Seeing a medical provider and then returning means that they may only be missing one class or less than one class versus the whole day,” said Carla Gay, executive director of innovation and partnerships at Gresham-Barlow Schools.
At no cost, any student enrolled in the Gresham-Barlow School District can receive medical, dental and mental health care.
“It just feels welcoming for everybody. Everybody will be able to have access to it,” Johnson added.
The space offers exam rooms for health screenings, physicals and vaccinations. District leaders like Gay acknowledge that families have been under-served when it comes to this level of care.
“We know that the pandemic created a lot of mental health concerns for many of our students, and access to mental health care is very difficult,” Gay said.
This project has been in the works for many years, with lawmakers Sen. Chris Gorsek and Rep. Rick Ruiz working to secure funding through the American Recovery from Pandemic Act. The process involved feedback from the community, which selected Wallace to be the provider for health services — a non-profit community health center in East Multnomah County.
“Having another access point that’s closer to our school community and is accessible by all of our students is really a key way that we can encourage our students and families to stay engaged with us at school,” Gay noted.
Three to five staff members will work a rotating schedule at the center, referring students to more specialized care if needed.
The center, called Wallace, will provide free health care services for all students in the district through a federally qualified health provider. It features three exam rooms where students can receive primary care, vaccinations, health screenings, sports physicals — and eventually, dental care later in the year, the district said. Students will also have access to mental health services in the center's behavioral health room.
“Without health care, many students miss large parts of their education and often fall behind in learning,” said Superintendent James Hiu. “This student health center will allow our students to get the care they need without missing as much school. Access to healthcare is foundational for students to attend school regularly, engage positively and succeed academically.”
The center is located at 1133 North Main Street. It'll be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
