Primary Healthcare Centers is dedicated to improving the health care status of our patients by providing Accessible, Affordable, Quality health care services to everyone regardless of ability to pay. We serve Catoosa, Chattooga,Dade, Polk and Walker Counties in Northwest Georgia Presentation to the GA Legislative Study Committee On School-Based Health Care October 27, 2015

Primary Healthcare Centers “Your Comprehensive Community Health Care Center” Federally Qualified Health Center for 37 years Service Area includes Northwest GA, Northeast Alabama, and Southeast TN 4 service sites in Trenton, Rossville, Summerville, Cedartown 2 school-based clinics in Tunnel Hill, Lafayette 1 mobile dental unit 1 administrative site

Why school based centers? Primary Healthcare Centers school based clinics provide comprehensive medical and dental care to students, their families, school personnel and the community— Where they are every day Without barriers With minimal interruption to students’ learning We know healthy children learn better We know children succeed academically when health care and academics are integrated

Services Provided Primary medical care—acute, chronic disease, wellness General dental/oral health care (comprehensive exams, x-rays, cleanings, sealants, fillings, extractions…) Dietary/nutrition (meal planning, counseling, education) Case management, behavioral health, referral specialists/navigators

Staffing & Operations Open Monday-Friday with extended hours Work by appointment and walk-ins Serve adults and children Full-time Family Nurse Practitioner and support staff Part-time Pediatrician or Family Practice Physician Part-time Dentist and support staff Nutritionist, case manager, behavioral health, patient referral specialists/navigators

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Catoosa County School System 17 schools in the Catoosa School system Tiger Creek Elementary School: – 1 of 10 elementary schools in county – Student population of approximately 530 students – Title I school – 68% Free & Reduced Lunch Program – Located in federally designated medically underserved portion of county

Keys to Success: Superintendent & School Board Support Denia Reese, Superintendent, Catoosa County School System "I am very pleased that Primary Healthcare Center partnered with our school system to bring this vital resource, a school-based health center, to children attending Tiger Creek Elementary School." "Having these medical and dental services will improve attendance and student achievement." "The school-based health care center will greatly expand the resources of our school nurse. Having access to services at school is also a benefit for parents so they don't have to leave work to take their child to the doctor or dentist." "As a child, my family struggled to provide dental care. Good dental hygiene is very important to the overall health and self-esteem of children. I would like to thank everyone who has worked so hard to make this school-based health care center a reality."

Walker County School System 11 schools in the Walker school system – 6 elementary schools Just opened second school-based clinic at Gilbert Elementary in LaFayette September 2015 Title I school 86% Free & Reduced lunch Medically underserved community

School & Administrative Support Matthew Harris, GES principal said it was a perfect opportunity to work with a great organization to help the students. “The nearest pediatrician is Ringgold and the Hutcheson walk-in clinic is closed,” he said. “That is a burden on the families of LaFayette. Many families check out the entire family for a doctor’s appointment because of travel time. We are very pleased with the results so far.”

Support (Continued) Damon Raines, Walker County School Superintendent said he was excited about the opportunity to improve the availability of healthcare for students, staff members and the families in our community. “This valuable partnership has a natural connection with the mission of Walker County Schools to ensure all students graduate,” he said.

Gilbert Medical Clinic

Gilbert Mobile Dental Unit

Roper Community Service Day

Financial Operations Challenges— Takes at least 3 years to reach a sustainable level Must find right mix of insured & uninsured Takes 120 days or more to become credentialed with Medicare, Medicaid & private insurance (cannot get paid during that time but must be seeing patients) Nonprofits need funding from other sources to assist in covering costs of uninsured

Financial Operations (Continued) Opportunities— Strong interest in development of school- based health centers Current funding sources can be leveraged at state, regional and local levels to certain extent Some funding has been available through HRSA new access point grants and capital funding opportunities

Questions Thank you for your time today! For more information please contact : Diana Allen –CEO, Primary Healthcare Centers 106 E Withers St Lafayette GA , Ext