How a $1M grant will help Macon students, families get better health care access
The Bibb County School District received a $1 million grant from the Georgia Department of Education which will expand health care access in the community, school officials announced Tuesday at a board meeting.
The money will be used to build the district’s second school-based health center, which has been proven to effectively address students’ medical, behavioral, dental and vision health needs by meeting them right where they are, according to the education department.
One health center is already serving both Macon-Bibb students and residents at Ingram-Pye Elementary School through First Choice Primary Care, a non-profit health center in Macon and Warner Robins that provides care to insured, uninsured and under-served ipeople.
First Choice Primary Care CEO Katherine McLeod said the on-site facilities increase accessibility and cost for children and families living in communities with limited healthcare access.
The health clinics also help minimize chronic absenteeism in Bibb County schools by being able to provide care during the school day, instead of having a child leave school and not return in order to receive care.
“We know that in our first year of operation, we had an impact on attendance,” she said. “When you are able to provide services to a child during the school day, they can often return to class. Otherwise, that child and their siblings might miss the rest of the day.”
“Improving ‘seat time’ not only improves the child’s educational experience, but that has a positive economic impact on the school district,” she added.
The grant came from a state investment of $125 million that Gov. Briam Kemp dedicated to Georgia’s school-based health center programs in 2022. He said it would strengthen health care options for families across the state, particularly for people in rural communities.
“By investing these funds, we’re paving the way for new centers across the state where they are needed most,” Kemp said in a news release. “This innovative program is in line with our ongoing efforts to lower costs and increase access to quality healthcare coverage for everyone.”
McLeod said the health center holistically benefits the Macon-Bibb community.
“By offering services in the school, we can overcome barriers to care that many of our families face, such as transportation,” she said. “The clinic staff can become part of the school community, and get to know the children and their families.”
With the additional health resources coming to Bibb County soon, McLeod said it is important for the community to have school-based health services because they can treat sick children and also offer preventive care. That includes child wellness visits, immunizations and other screenings that can help children get a healthier start, she added.
Both locations will continue to be medically sponsored by First Choice Primary Care, said Lasharn Ferroudj, director of partnerships, projects and engagement for the school district.
The second center’s location has not been decided yet but will combine with a school site that meets the parameters of the grant specifications, said district spokesperson Stephanie Hartley.
