Inside Harrison Park Academy, nonprofit Catherine’s Health Center cut the ribbon on its new $180,000 health clinic.
“We see how successful our three other health centers are and knowing that in this pocket, the northwest side, there is a lack of child-focused healthcare clinics and facilities over here.”
Kirstyn Wade is Director of Health Services for Grand Rapids Public Schools. She says Harrison Park Academy’s size was a main factor in making it the fourth clinic to open within a GRPS school.
“And this is our only health center that’s actually in one of our pre-K through 8th grade buildings. Our other three are in middle or high schools.”
Students and community members between the ages of 3 and 21 will have access to medical and behavioral health services, regardless of their ability to pay.
Megan Erskine is CEO of Catherine’s Health Center. She says partnering with GRPS compliments their objective of bringing health care to trusted spaces.
“So, when we can make it easier for them by bringing behavioral health services and medical services into places like schools, we know that students are going to be healthier, families are going to be healthier and, ultimately, students are going to learn well.”
The clinic is supported by a grant from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ Child and Adolescent Health Center Program.
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