Grand Ledge, East Lansing schools to add health clinics for students, community children

Correction: This story has been updated to reflect that the Ingham County Health Department operates 12 clinics and is adding a 13th at East Lansing High School.

LANSING — A pair of Greater Lansing high schools are adding health clinics that will benefit not only students, but young community members as well.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is sponsoring a health clinic at Grand Ledge High School, and the Ingham County Health Department is funding its newest community health center at East Lansing High School.

Grand Ledge Public Schools is partnering with Eaton Regional Education Service Agency to open its health clinic.

“We know it will help address the health needs of children and young adults in Eaton County, and we are happy Sparrow Eaton Hospital — a trusted local healthcare provider — will be doing the clinical services and health programs at our new health center," RESA Superintendent Sean Williams said in a release.

East Lansing's recently announced clinic will be the 13th Ingham County Community Health Center sponsored by the Ingham County Health Department. The department also sponsors school clinics at Eastern and Sexton high schools.

“We’ve seen a lot of success with our other community health centers and hope that this new addition is as successful,” said Kris Drake, the executive director for the Ingham County Community Health Clinics. “While the majority of the people who use the school-based health centers are students, we hope that we can provide a place for members of the community to get care as well.”

Grand Ledge clinic set to open in early 2024

The health center at Grand Ledge High School is being funded by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, as part of its Child & Adolescent Health Center program. The new clinic, which will operate year-round, is expected to conduct a soft opening in January 2024 and fully open by April, officials said in a release.

Sparrow Eaton Hospital will run the daily operations of and staff the health center. There will be an advanced practice provider and a medical assistant through Sparrow, and Eaton RESA will provide a licensed mental health clinician.

The program, MDHHS said on its website, is intended to expand access to health care by providing important primary, preventative, and early intervention health care services.

Adding the mental health care providers is important, according to Grand Ledge Public Schools Superintendent Bill Barnes.

“We have heard from our students and families that health, and specifically mental health, supports are essential, and we are now better able to respond to our families’ needs because of this incredible opportunity and the work of our community partners,” he said.

While students will be the primary users of the clinic, the center also will serve young members of the public, said John Ellsworth, director of communications for Grand Ledge Public Schools.

“All children and young adults aged 5 to 21 in Eaton County are welcome at the health center,” he said. “We are happy to partner with MDHHS to provide needed services to an area that previously lacked easy access.”

The clinic was one of 26 statewide to receive funding through MDHHS.

East Lansing clinic expands Ingham health footprint

East Lansing High School is adding a health center for students and community members that will utilize existing space in the building. The clinic is expected to be in use next year.

“This location was a data-driven decision,” Drake said. “We noticed that resources were lacking in East Lansing, and decided the high school was a central location for the community.”

As in Grand Ledge, community members who do not attend East Lansing Public Schools will be able to access care at the school. The center will serve children and young adults.

“We will be able to see everyone, regardless of whether or not they can pay,” Drake said. “As part of our budget, the Ingham County Community Health Centers cover the cost for those who cannot pay.”

The final cost of the community health center is undetermined, Drake said.

Although the health center will only serve patients ages 5 to 25, other community health centers in Lansing serve everyone over 18, including Allen Community Health Center, Birch Community Health Center, Forest Community Health Center and New Hope Community Health Center. Cedar Community Health Center serves two demographics; children and women. Everett Community Health Center, Gardner Community Health Center, Pattengill Community Health Center and Willow Community Health Center serve children and adolescents.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Grand Ledge, East Lansing schools to add health clinics for students, community children