Norwalk Public Schools opens new school-based health and wellness center

Information via Norwalk Public Schools

NORWALK, Conn. — Norwalk Public Schools and Norwalk Community Health Center joined federal, state and local officials, school leaders, health care workers and students Monday to open a state-of-the-art school-based health and human services center. celebrated.

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The official ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at Ponas Ridge Steam Academy, where one of the two new health centers will open, according to a news release provided by the school district.

The Ponas Ridge location serves students from Ponas School and Concord Magnet School. A second location will open at Brien McMahon High School and serve students from Brian McMahon and the Global Studies Center.

“As a school system, we have a responsibility not only to provide an education to our scholars, but also to ensure that they have access to educational tools as well as a wide range of experiences,” Superintendent Alexandra Estrella said in a news release. ” he said. They not only need the social services they need to stay healthy, to progress in our education system, and most importantly, to keep them on track for their future. Is required. ”

Both organizations were proud to welcome Senator Richard Blumenthal. District officials say Jonathan Smalls, a proud alumnus of Ponas Ridge and Brien McMahon, will join Sen. Chris Murphy, Rep. Jim Himes, State Sen. Bob Duff and Harry Rilling. Served as mayor’s representative.

School-based service expansion grants from the U.S. Human Resources Services Administration (HRSA) in the Health Centers Program were key to NCHC opening new service sites on two school campuses, district officials said.

Norwalk Community Health Center and Norwalk Public Schools would like to thank Senator Blumenthal, Senator Murphy, and Representative Jim Himes for supporting our grant request to expand access to medical, behavioral health, and support services for students. School district officials said they are grateful to the legislators.

“As an organization, we are serious about this effort,” Norwalk Community Health Center CEO Kenneth Waller said in a news release. “This grant is really intended to focus not only on primary care but also on mental health services. We know of 22 nationally. [percent] Percentage of high school students who seriously considered suicide in the last year. We know that this program is very effective in preventing that. ”

Norwalk Community Health Center’s nationally recognized health center is proud to partner with all four schools to provide school-based health and wellness services to students. NCHC works with families and their pediatricians to keep Norwalk students healthy and in school. District officials say services provided range from health exams to immunizations, counseling to crisis intervention.

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