Healthy Kids Cinics Making a Difference
3/21/2023
CFMC is proud to provide accessible and affordable health care in our local schools through Healthy Kids Clinics school-based health centers. Services include well child exams, sports physicals, immunizations, sick visits, dental services, behavioral health services, a pediatric wellness program, and more. School-based health centers are beneficial not only for children, but also for parents and employers. By being in schools, Healthy Kids Clinics allow parents to continue working while their children have access to necessary healthcare and keep students healthy, at school, and ready to learn.
Recently one of our Healthy Kids Clinic nurse practitioners shared her experience in providing care and introducing a parent to Healthy Kids Clinic:
“As I was attending the fellowship supper at church tonight, I happened to notice a very young mother across the room sitting with her children as they ate. Her eyes were red and swollen and it was obvious she had been crying- probably all day, judging by how swollen her eyes were. I had never seen this woman at church before tonight. I said a little prayer, then went about attending to my own children and lost sight of her. Later for bible study, I just so happen to decide to attend a new group. I walked into the classroom and immediately noticed the girl sitting by the class leader. She was crying and sharing her struggle to keep her job while having to take off to take her three children to their multiple doctors and therapy appointments. The class leader told the young mother that she was a close relative to a CFMC staff member and offered to intervene in any helpful way possible.”
“Having been filled with compassion, I chimed in, and we were able to inform the young mother of the behavioral health services that her child could receive in school and of the Nurse Practitioner services too. Come to find out, I had done a well child exam on her child just two days ago, so this was done and off this mother's plate! After we shared all the services that Healthy Kids Clinic can provide her children at school, her tears went away, and she was smiling and so relieved. I am very excited to be able to help this young woman if she decides to use Healthy Kids Clinic for her children's current needs. I am very certain, especially after tonight, that the Healthy Kids Clinic is making a huge difference in the lives of the people we serve. I feel like we have solved this woman's problems by being there for her at church tonight and by Healthy Kids Clinic being in the schools for her children. This has touched me so deeply. I wanted to share this with you.”
Healthy Kids Clinics are in 21 school districts and on more than 150 school campuses across the state. To learn more, please visit www.healthykidsclinics.com.