Adena Schools Lead List of Area Entities Receiving Appalachian Grants

Article Presented By Kingston National Bank…

(Columbus) – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted have announced dozens of transformational projects that will significantly improve access to healthcare across many of Ohio’s Appalachian communities. 

As part of the new Appalachian Children’s Health Initiative, more than $64 million in funding will be awarded to the Appalachian Children Coalition to support the creation or expansion of community- and school-based health clinics, the launch of healthcare-focused workforce development programs, and more. 

“Our vision for Ohio’s future is one where all Ohioans, no matter where they are from, have the opportunity to live up to their full potential,” said Governor DeWine. “These projects will uplift and empower the people of Ohio’s Appalachian region for generations to come.”

The funding will be divided among 28 projects that are expected to impact 61,000 students and 375,000 residents across 20 Appalachian counties. Partners include 34 school districts, a career technical school, an educational service center, and 16 healthcare partners. Expanded services will include comprehensive primary care, dental, vision, and mental health services for children, families, and communities. 

Area schools and agencies receiving funds are:

Adena Local School District (Ross)
Warrior Wellness Center
Awards amount $5,754,118
In partnership with Adena Health System, Adena Local School District will establish the Warrior Wellness Center located on the school district’s new athletic field complex. The facility will be inclusive of a variety of health, wellness, and social services and will not only benefit the students of Adena Local but will also serve school staff and the entire community. The wellness center will include a newly constructed primary health clinic in addition to a pharmacy, a community wellness and activity center, and offices for behavioral health and other community-serving organizations. A walking track in the facility will provide year-round exercise opportunities for community members. On-site primary care clinical services will be supported 5 days per week through Adena Health and staffed with a primary care provider and support staff.

Chillicothe City School District (Ross)
School-Based Health Center
Award amount $662,130
In partnership, Adena Health and Chillicothe City Schools have identified a 1,300-square-foot space within the district enrollment center on the High School-Middle School campus to serve as a school-based health center. The new clinic will be adjacent to the high school gymnasium and will create easy access for students, staff, and community members. The Chillicothe Wellness team is prioritizing primary care as one of their top needs for students, along with mental health, dental, and nutrition services. Patients can be connected to a broad network of care and be referred to other specialty care providers as needed. On-site clinical services will be supported through Adena Health and staffed by a two-person medical care team that will rotate between the on-site clinics in Ross County to ensure adequate coverage for all partner school districts based on need.

Huntington Local School District (Ross)
School-Based Health Center
Award amount: $556,290
In partnership with Adena Health System, Huntington Local School District will establish a Huntington school-based health center within their unified campus complex. The clinic will be located within the high school section of the building and staffed by a two-person medical care team that will rotate between the on-site clinics in Ross County to ensure adequate coverage for all partner school districts based on need. Based on a 2022 school district health and wellness assessment, primary care for students is a priority, along with mental health, dental, and nutrition services. Adena will work to ensure effective delivery of the coordinated services, including prevention care and services for patients, health and social-related professional development services for staff, ongoing assessment of school needs with staff, administration, and school nurses, athletic training and support services, and primary care services.

Pickaway-Ross Career & Technology Center (Ross, Pickaway)
School-Based Health Center
Award amount $524,250
In partnership with Adena Health System, Pickaway-Ross Career & Technology Center will establish a school-based health clinic. The clinic will provide convenient access to healthcare services, addressing immediate health needs and fostering a proactive approach to students’ physical and mental well-being. On-site medical care, vaccinations, and health education programs will enhance students’ academic success by reducing absenteeism due to health issues. Access to additional services, such as primary care mental health, will help improve mental health issues. The center will also serve as a valuable resource for families and the community, providing a centralized location for accessible and affordable healthcare, ultimately promoting a healthier and more engaged student body and community as a whole.

Union-Scioto Local School District (Ross)
School-Based Health Center
Award amount $605,610
In partnership with Adena Health System, Union-Scioto Local School District will establish a school-based health center, eliminating transportation barriers for families and providing access to care for both routine and unexpected medical needs. Prioritized primary care is the top focus for students, along with mental health, dental, and nutrition services. Internal and external Adena partners will ensure effective delivery of the coordinated services, including prevention care and services for patients, health and social-related professional development services for staff, ongoing assessment of school needs with staff, administration and school nurses, athletic training and support services, and primary care services. On-site clinical services will be supported through Adena Health and staffed by a two-person medical care team that will rotate between the on-site clinics in Ross County to ensure adequate coverage for all partner school districts based on need.

Greenfield Exempted Village, Southeastern Local School District, Waverly City Schools,
Wellston City Schools, Zane Trace Local Schools (Ross, Highland, Pike, Jackson)
Mobile Health Program
Award amount $232,965
Adena Health System will expand the scope of services its mobile health program delivers to
Greenfield Exempted Village, Southeastern Local School District, Waverly City Schools, Wellston City Schools, and Zane Trace Local Schools to deliver critically needed services to families throughout the multi-county service region. The Adena mobile unit is equipped with the necessary equipment for both primary care and dental services, removing barriers to care and fostering a proactive approach to healthcare. A full-time nurse practitioner, one driver/registrar combined role, and one full-time community health worker will be added to the mobile program. Additionally, shore plugs will be installed at each district partner, including existing mobile health district partners, to extend the life of the mobile health unit to ensure sustainable operations well into the future. Linkages of care will be intentionally conducted for patients with needs beyond the initial mobile unit appointment.

Fairfield Local School District (Highland)
School-Based Health Center
Award amount $3,235,560
In partnership with Highland Health Partners (HHP), Fairfield Local School District will build and open a school-based health center in the Fairfield Local School District to meet the health and wellness needs of students and families. Services will be provided through a mix of on-site and telehealth resources providing access to both comprehensive primary care, and mental and behavioral health resources, to decrease behaviors such as student tardiness and absenteeism. HHP aims to engage external psychiatry and therapy services while exploring the incorporation of a new behavioral health service line within the organization to address the insufficient availability of local behavioral health services. HPP will link patients with Highland District Hospital as necessary for follow-up that best meets their needs. Additionally, Fairfield Local will add classroom space to support workforce development and STEM education expansion and will be leveraged as an extension of the established career readiness program.

FosterHub (Hocking, Ross, and Vinton)
Multi-use Facility with Housing, Training, and Wraparound Services
Award amount $7,322,363
In partnership with the Hocking Valley Community Hospital, South Central Ohio Job & Family Services, Court Appointed Special Advocates, and CK Construction Group, FosterHub will purchase and renovate a commercial property in the heart of historic downtown Logan that will house all operations and offer services, including transitional housing for adolescents transitioning from foster care. The space will also provide job training, life skills training, group therapy, and behavioral health activities. The newly renovated downtown location will be home to a teaching kitchen, laundry services, computer training center, gathering space for behavioral health support services, and more to allow for a holistic approach to ensure youth have the necessary support in place to reach their full potential.

See the full list of grant awards by CLICKING HERE:

“Expanding school-based healthcare is proven to significantly reduce barriers to accessing essential health services, leading to improved physical and mental health and academic outcomes for students,” said Lt. Governor Husted. “These investments will deliver better life and academic outcomes for students, benefiting families and the community.” 

The project will also establish workforce training partnerships between schools and their associated health clinics to prepare the next generation of Appalachian healthcare professionals. 

“By addressing the holistic health needs of students and families, this project exemplifies the transformative power of community-driven solutions,” said Lydia Mihalik, director of the Ohio Department of Development. “I commend the Appalachian Children Coalition and their partners for bringing together diverse stakeholders to create a healthier future for Appalachian Ohio.” 

Funding for the Appalachian Children’s Health Initiative is being awarded through the larger Appalachian Community Grant Program, which is investing $500 million into Ohio’s 32-county Appalachian region. This unprecedented investment was spearheaded by the DeWine-Husted Administration with support from the Ohio General Assembly. More than $350 million in remaining funding will be awarded in coming weeks to further revitalize the region and create an abundance of new opportunities for future generations. 

Approximately $80 million in Appalachian Community Grant Program funding was previously encumbered to several shovel-ready projects in March 2023 and for planning grants to cover costs associated with project planning and design. The program is administered by the Governor’s Office of Appalachia within the Ohio Department of Development.