Peach State Health Plan Expands School-Based Health Services
Peach State Health Plan and the Georgia Primary Care Association have expanded services at school-based health centers across Georgia. The initiative has significantly increased healthcare encounters.
Peach State Health Plan has released a video, "The Power of Partnership," detailing its collaboration with the Georgia Primary Care Association (GPCA), schools, and community partners to enhance school-based health centers. This effort aims to bring healthcare closer to students, addressing challenges like transportation and limited provider availability.
The multi-year initiative received a $1.1 million investment from Peach State Health Plan and the Centene Foundation. The funding supported 17 school-based health centers, covering facility upgrades, behavioral health services, telehealth technology, medical and dental equipment, and additional healthcare professionals.
These health centers reported an 83% increase in healthcare encounters, totaling 4,278 additional medical, dental, and behavioral health visits. Specifically, medical encounters rose by 75%, dental by 91%, and behavioral health by 112%.
"By bringing healthcare directly into schools, we can prevent health challenges from becoming obstacles in a student's education and future," stated Clyde White, President and CEO of Peach State Health Plan. He highlighted the partnership's role in addressing local needs and creating solutions.
The program demonstrates how targeted community investments and local partnerships can improve access to care for students and bring vital resources closer to families in Georgia. Further details and the video are available on the Peach State Health Plan website.