Federal Grants to Boost Telehealth in School-Based Health Centers
120 school-based health centers around the country are getting $11 million in HRSA grants to upgrade services and develop telehealth programs that expand access to mental health, substance abuse and obesity-related services.
By Eric Wicklund
– More than 100 school-based health centers across the country are getting federal funding to develop telehealth and mHealth platforms for mental health, substance abuse, and childhood obesity-related services.
The US Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announced the $11 million grant last week. According to the agency, some 120 school-based health centers will get funding “to improve existing school-based health center facilities through minor alteration and renovation activities and/or to purchase equipment, including telehealth equipment.”
“School-based health centers play a critical role in preventing, screening, and treating some of the most common behavioral health issues known to affect student performance, overall health, and personal safety, including depression, anxiety, social conflict, adverse childhood experiences and attention disorders,” Jim Macrae, Associate Administrator of the HRSA’s Bureau of Primary Health Care, said in a press release.
