MMSD Health Services continues its valuable partnerships with Group Health Cooperative (GHC) and Dean Health Plan.  The overall goal of these HMO partnerships is to increase access to health care by building bridges between schools and health care organizations. 

One way this is done is by providing "health checks" (preventive health exams) to students with Medical Assistance who are enrolled in the HMOs.  When students and their families attend a "health check," it is an opportunity to connect them with the health care provider.

The collaborations began several years ago and both organizations have experienced impressive increases in the percentage of their school-aged enrollees receiving yearly exams. 

The project includes:

• weekly Monday afternoon clinics in the elementary schools,
• six evening clinics for adolescents at GHC or Dean facilities, and
• referral/scheduling of students with health care providers at their HMOs and assistance with arranging transportation to appointments. 

MMSD school nurses who are nurse practitioners staff the clinics.  Immunizations are provided as needed.

This fall, clinics have already been held at Emerson, Falk, Glendale, Hawthorne, Lincoln/Midvale, Kennedy and Marquette Schools as well as in the Allied neighborhood.  An evening clinic in October at GHC drew over 30 pre-schoolers and young school-aged children.

In a typical year, 175-200 exams are provided.  Nurses in all MMSD schools provide the outreach and communication to schedule students for these important exams.

Health counseling, education, physical exam, vision and hearing screenings, and referrals for acute and chronic health issues are accomplished for every child examined.   

"These two partnerships enhance immunization levels and the general well being of children and teens, which ultimately supports attendance and learning, said Freddi Adelson, Coordinator of Health Services.

Middle school student DeVonna Jackson gets a "health check" from MMSD school nurse Debbie Kaufman at one of six evening clinics this year for adolescents. The clinics are held at either Dean Clinic or Group Health Cooperative, two partners with the MMSD in increasing student access to health care.