By Kiera Morgan:

The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners proclaimed February as School Based Health Centers awareness month. The proclamation states that because all young children deserve access to quality and confidential health services. This creates better outcomes for all Lincoln County youth. Carol Hall the nurse executive for the Lincoln Community Health Centers explained that healthy kids learn better so the county has a goal of making sure health care is available at the school sites. “This also allows students to get the health care they may need right on school grounds often meaning that parents don’t have to take time off of work for appointments.”

She said they are able to provide physical, mental and preventative health services and drug and alcohol treatment programs. The school based health centers have existed in Oregon and Lincoln County since 1986. The first school based health center opened in Lincoln County in Toledo. Now there is one school based health center at each high school in Lincoln County at Taft, Newport and Waldport. Hall explained that they are also now providing some limited dental care and have started dental screenings on all students, making sure they receive dental care kits. They also can provide dental vouchers for those who are uninsured.