Partnership has its rewards. The California School Health Centers Association (CSHC), working in partnership with Kaiser Permanente's Community Benefit Program, Northern California Region, helped six schools and/or partner agencies receive a total of $300,000 to support the start-up of new school health centers.

“We are very excited for our students (at Franklin High School). The campus is isolated from the majority of community resources, and this grant will go a long way in bringing services to where they are needed most,” said Deanna Staggs, Director of School-Based Programs for Delta Health Care in Stockton.

The Kaiser Permanente Community Benefit Program, Northern California Region, selected six school communities in the Central Valley and San Francisco Bay Area to receive a one-time grant of $50,000 each as part of Kaiser's effort to support healthy communities and to expand the health care safety net.

“At a time when more people need help, school-based health centers can reach a very vulnerable population in a way that's easily accessible—with programs designed by students, parents, school representatives and other community stakeholders,” said Lucette Decorde, Group Leader, Kaiser Permanente Community Benefit Program. “These grants align with our goal of expanding access to care while helping the safety net meet the challenges of increased demand.”

Kaiser Permanente's Community Benefit Program in Northern California coordinated with CSHC to select communities that wanted to start school health centers and had firm commitments from the local school district as well as health care agencies that will deliver needed health services on campus. CSHC assisted with identifying the six school health center start-up communities, developing the grant proposals, and hosting conference calls between Kaiser and the selected communities.

The grants will support the school health center start-up process, including conducting community planning and needs assessments, developing clinic infrastructure, and establishing billable school health services.

“A good partnership can have tremendous outcomes and that's exactly what occurred here,” said Serena Clayton, CSHC's Executive Director. “We thank the Kaiser Permanente Northern California Community Benefit Program for its commitment to supporting healthy children and successful students.”

The six schools (and their districts) that received funding are:

• West Fresno Elementary School (West Fresno Unified School District)
• Healthy Start Services, Riverbank (Riverbank Unified School District)
• CK McClatchy High School (Sacramento City Unified School District)
• Franklin High School (Stockton Unified School District)
• Pinole Valley High School (West Contra Costa Unified School District)
• De Anza High School (West Contra Costa Unified School District )