Read more: Local, State, Education, $50 Million, National Grants, School Based Health Center Capitol Program, Debbie Stabenow
WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has started accepting applications for schools seeking new equipment in school-based health centers.
A total of $50 million in national grants will be offered through the School-Based Health Center Capitol Program— a provision authored by Senator Stabenow as a part of the Affordable Care Act. This program will improve the quality of health services available to students.
“Investing early in our children’s health will help them lead long, productive lives,” said Stabenow. “School-based health centers need to offer the best possible care for students throughout the school day, which is why I fought to include this funding in the Affordable Care Act. This program will allow these clinics to purchase and upgrade equipment for more efficient, quality care. I encourage schools to apply as soon as possible to take advantage of this program.”
School-based health centers play a major role in providing basic health services for students who seek medical attention. These grants will be used to purchase equipment to improve the services available for students with acute and chronic illnesses as well as increase students’ access to quality care.
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), an agency of HHS, will administer these grants. HRSA expects to award an estimated 1,000 grants in FY 2010 that can be used to purchase equipment for school-based health centers. For further information regarding these grants and how to apply, please visit www.grants.gov.
Stabenow has been recognized by the National Assembly on School-Based Health Care and the School-Community Health Alliance of Michigan for her leadership on children’s health. A portion of her bipartisan legislation, the Healthy Schools Act, was included in the 2009 Children’s Health Insurance Reauthorization Act.
For more information on health reform, visit Stabenow’s website at www.stabenow.senate.gov/healthcare.
