Family First Health Announces First Day of Patient Care at William Penn Senior High School
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Amanda Peterson Martin
484-949-1320
apmartin@gavinadv.com
Family First Health Announces First Day of Patient Care at William Penn Senior High School
Primary medical and behavioral care will serve more than 1,800 students
YORK, PA – (September 23, 2024) – Today, Family First Health (FFH) opened its new school-based health center to treat more than 1,800 students at William Penn Senior High School in York. The center will offer comprehensive primary medical and behavioral healthcare to students, primarily those who are underserved with limited access to care.
“We know that when healthcare is accessible on school campuses, it improves academic success by reducing the amount of time students are outside of the classroom to receive medical care,” said Jenny Englerth, Family First Health President and CEO. “Starting today, we will provide care to the students at William Penn Senior High School to further support healthcare accessibility and student success in York.”
Currently, 55% of students in the district live in acute poverty, and in 2018, the district reported a 28% transiency rate. Many families in York face significant barriers to accessing medical care for their children, including the inability to miss work, limited transportation, lack of health insurance and high costs of treatment.
“Accessible healthcare in our high school is vital to supporting both the physical and mental well-being of our students, ensuring they have access to essential medical resources,” says Dr. Andrea Berry-Brown, Superintendent of the School District of the City of York. “Through our incredible partnership with Family First Health, students receive regular health assessments that help identify potential issues early on. This proactive approach allows for timely interventions, creating a healthier learning environment while promoting lifelong wellness habits.”
This is Family First Health’s second school-based health center in York County. The first, at Hannah Penn Pre-K-8, offers primary care, integrated behavioral health care, health and wellness coaching to more than 40% of the students at the school, benefitting nearly 2,000 families.
“I commend Family First Health’s dedication to making sure every child is covered, regardless of their family’s financial situation and I am so excited to now have their presence at York City’s William Penn Senior High School,” says Representative Carol Hill-Evans. “Health care is not just about treating illnesses but about fostering an environment where children can thrive both in and outside the classroom. When students are healthy, they are better able to focus, participate and succeed in school.”
The National Health Institute conducted a study and found that opening a school-based health center during their study period was associated with a 4.1% increase in overall graduation rate and improved GPAs. Similarly, a study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health which examined 17 school-based health centers in a large urban area, found that students experienced a 1.02% monthly decline in attendance before receiving mental health care. After their first mental health appointment, their attendance improved by 1.44% per month. These findings show that with access to healthcare, students not only improve academically but enhances their overall wellbeing.
For more information about Family First Health at William Penn Senior High School, please visit Family First Health’s website.
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About Family First Health
Founded in 1970, York Health Corporation, now Family First Health, is a non-profit, federally qualified health center dedicated to providing a broad range of primary health, dental care and social services at its sites on South George Street in York, Columbia, Gettysburg, Hanover, Hannah Penn K-8 School, Lebanon, and Lewisberry. As a Federally Qualified Health Center, Family First Health offers a reduced fee program for the uninsured and accepts most other health insurances. For more information regarding the programs and services offered through Family First Health, please visit the website at www.familyfirsthealth.org. Se habla español.
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