Two Cincinnati Public schools will join the growing ranks of those opening school-based health centers, thanks to a $700,000 grant.

        The grant, awarded to Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center by the Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati, will fund start-up costs this fall and operating costs for three years at South Avondale and Burton elementary schools.

        The school health centers will offer physical and behavioral services, such as immunizations and routine physical exams, to children who otherwise wouldn't have access. The centers will employ a full-time pediatric nurse practitioner, social worker and health technician. A physician will work a half-day a week in the schools.

        “A lot of the children and families have issues that prevent them from being able to get the services here at the hospital, and we're not that far away,.” said Dr. Mona Mansour, director of the school-based health center network through Children's Hospital. “This is really bringing the service into the communities, and that's a great way of making sure we're meeting health care needs of kids and families.”

        Children's Hospital opened a school-based health center at Rockdale Academy in September 2000, initiated by funding from the health foundation. Ninety-four percent of the school's children are in the program. The center addresses their chronic conditions, attention and behavioral problems, sleep disorders and nutritional problems, such as obesity.

        Cincinnati schools spokeswoman Janet Walsh said the funding will help the district accomplish its goal of creating schools that are community centers of community that are used by families. The district plans a $1 billion school reconstruction project over the next decade, including building 35 new schools and renovating 31 others. Each school is expected to have partnerships, like those with Children's Hospital and Rockdale, Burton and South Avondale.

        “This is exactly the kind of community partnership we're trying to encourage,” Ms. Walsh said.

        “While academics are our primary focus, we know many things occur outside the classroom that have a tremendous influence on students' ability to learn. Health care is one of the primary factors in how kids are able to perform in school. If children don't feel well, they're not likely to do very well in their studies.”

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