The Erie County Health Department and the Erie County Community Health Center recently announced they received a grant from the Ohio Department of Health to establish a new school-based health center in the Margaretta School District.
This funding marks a major step forward in expanding accessible health care for students and families, according to a news release.
The new facility in Margaretta will be the fourth school-based health center operated by Erie County health and community centers, adding to their
existing centers at Vermilion High School, EHOVE Career Center and Sandusky Career Center, the release said.
The Margaretta school-based health center will provide essential primary and mental health services as well as pharmacy services through Erie County.
The center will open with limited hours before the upcoming holiday season. The school-based health center will transition to full operational hours after January.
“This center will allow us to intervene early, provide continuous support and ensure that health challenges do not stand in the way of a student’s education or a family’s well-being,” said Joe Palmucci, CEO of the Erie County Community Health Center, in the release.
The clinic will be available for general public health appointments after school hours.
“The Margaretta (school-based health center) will be a resource for everyone in the area, not just students,” said Peter Schade, Erie County health commissioner, in the release. “It is about removing barriers and providing quality, preventive care where people live and work.
“This is a win for the students, the district, and the entire Erie County population.”