CHP’s Partnerships with Local Schools
Post Date: Sep 23, 2020
News & Press
Community Health Partners believes in breaking down barriers that prevent equal access to health care. One way that CHP does this is by partnering with local schools. With thousands of children attending public school in Bozeman, Belgrade, and Livingston, partnering with schools is a great way to provide access to health care for students in the place where they already spend most of their time. In 2019, more than 16 percent of CHP’s patients were age 18 or younger, showing a significant need for healthcare access for young people. CHP has built a strong relationship with local schools in order to better serve these students and their families. Here are some of the ways we’re involved in local Montana schools.
Behavioral Health Services in Schools
Last year, CHP partnered with Intermountain, another local behavioral health organization, to bring a full-time behavioral therapist to Bozeman High School. This year, the program is expanding to serve four locations including Gallatin High School, Chief Joseph Middle School, and the Willson School.
This program allows students who are referred by a school counselor to access behavioral health services on their school campus, much like going to see a therapist at one of CHP’s clinics. Students who participate become registered patients and are subject to visit fees, just like they would be for any other clinic services. However, with this program students don’t have to go out of their way to find a clinic and transportation to their visit. And, as always, CHP will work with families to help them afford access to care, regardless of their ability to pay.
Key components of these tailored treatment programs are crisis intervention based on need, individualized mental and emotional health support, clinical guidance for students and families, and access to our highly trained on-site therapist.
New Medical Clinic for Belgrade Public Schools
To provide further access for families to medical services in Belgrade, CHP is partnering with Belgrade Middle School in a big way. CHP is offering a medical clinic inside Belgrade Middle School. The clinic will be open three days a week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) and will serve not only students but families, faculty, and staff as well. In fact, everyone served by the Belgrade School District can access the clinic.
Staffed by a physician assistant and a medical assistant, this in-school clinic will provide a full spectrum of primary care services, including sports and regular physicals, injury care, chronic disease management, labs and vaccinations, and more. With a clinic so easily accessible, CHP hopes that children and adults will be more likely to seek treatment when they need it.
Adult Education
CHP knows that education is important for overall mental and physical health, regardless of how you receive that education. That’s why CHP provides tutoring and administering of the HiSET (High School Equivalency Test). CHP has developed relationships with local high schools so that when a student drops out, they can be referred to someone at CHP who can offer the opportunity to gain a degree outside of high school. Furthermore, CHP’s programs also provide guidance and training on applying for community colleges or universities in the area.
CHP believes that health and education go hand-in-hand, so it only makes sense that CHP would partner with schools in southwest Montana toward the same goal. Contact CHP today to learn more about these services and programs.
