On Tuesday, the Children’s Trust announced a major expansion of its HealthConnect in Our Schools initiative, committing nearly $26 million annually to broaden access to school-based health services for students across Miami-Dade County.
Beginning in July 2025, The Trust allocated $25,824,500 each year to provide comprehensive health services through six health care service agencies, reaching 283 schools. The initiative serves pre-kindergarten through 12th grade students and represents a 29% increase from the previous year’s investment.
In previous funding cycles, The Trust invested $16 million annually for several years and increased that amount to $20 million in the last fiscal year. Over the past decade, the initiative supported 141 schools. The current expansion more than doubles that reach.
Members of the Children’s Trust joined school and healthcare leaders to announce the expansion of HealthConnect on Tuesday, Jan. 13.
(Courtesy of The Children’s Trust)
Through partnerships with Miami-Dade County Public Schools and the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County, all M-DCPS schools and some charter schools are now receiving services as a result of the increased funding and collaboration.
The expanded initiative is designed to increase access to physical and mental health care delivered on school campuses. Services include nursing care, physical and behavioral health services, in-person care, telehealth, and pediatric mobile unit services. According to a press release, research shows that student health and wellness significantly affect learning, behavior, and overall quality of life.
“The Children’s Trust is committed to nurturing the well-being of every child in Miami-Dade County,” said James R. Haj, president and CEO of The Children’s Trust. “This significant expansion of our investment and collaboration in HealthConnect reflects our commitment to ensuring all students have access to the health services and education they need to thrive.”
Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Jose L. Dotres emphasized the link between health and academic performance, saying the expanded partnership ensures that medical and mental health support is available directly on school campuses and helps students remain in the classroom.
The Trust’s school-based health model uses a three-tiered approach that tailors staffing and services to the needs of individual schools. The model integrates telehealth and mobile unit services to supplement onsite care, particularly in schools with limited resources. Both telehealth and mobile services represent an expansion from the previous funding cycle.
For the first time since HealthConnect was established in 2006, partner funders have invested directly in the initiative. The Health Foundation of South Florida and United Way Miami each committed $750,000 over five years to support mobile unit services, which are primarily deployed to charter schools.
School health teams include advanced practice providers, registered and licensed practical nurses, health aides and technicians, social workers, and mental health professionals. Parental awareness and consent are required for students to receive services.
Expected outcomes of the initiative include improved return-to-class rates, reduced instructional time lost to health issues, increased student engagement in healthy practices, and improved management of chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes, allergies, and epilepsy.
According to The Children’s Trust, the expansion reflects a broader effort to improve student health while supporting academic success throughout Miami-Dade County.