A brand new program now in its first year in Clinton and surrounding school districts aimed at helping children stay well while in school, and in some cases, reduce the burden on parents from having to visit doctors’ offices, isn’t getting as much participation among students in the local school district as the schools would like to see.

Under the program offered through Cumberland Family Medical Center, Inc. Healthy Kids Clinic program, which implements School Based Health Centers (SBHC), Superintendent Charlotte Bernard recently informed the school board at its most recent meeting that student participation in the program was low and the district and CFMC is working to promote the concept to get more participation.

School-based health centers complement the work of school nurses by providing a readily accessible referral site for students who are without a medical home. School nurses collaborate with SBHC to provide an array of health services to keep students healthy, in school, and ready to learn.

But, Supt. Bernard noted last week that there were many children who were still unaware that a nurse practitioner, outside of the regular school nurse, was available to treat illnesses they may have while at school, at no cost to anyone.

Under the new program, a nurse practitioner serves jointly with Clinton and Cumberland County schools and is available in the local schools each Tuesday, Thursday and every other Friday. Other days, students can still see the school nurse, who can set an appointment with the nurse practioner the next day if the need arises.

Nurse practioners can handle many medical related aspects, including writing prescriptions for the students.

Bernard said that a report from Cumberland Family Medical showed the number of local students taking advantage of the free medical service was low as far as students being seen by a nurse practioner.

“In the summer, we did health screenings,” Bernard said. “We really want to make parents aware of the program. The services are free and they even provide immunizations.” She said by being able to see someone in school who could handle medical situations, it could save parents from having to make a doctor’s appointment for their child and helps keep children in school.

“Until the number of students who take part go up, we are sharing (the practitioner) with Cumberland County,” Bernard said.

“We are trying to be pro-active and by seeing a nurse practioner early, it may head off more serious illness such as colds, etc. from getting worse,” she said.

On site services include acute care visits, well child visits, and immunizations. Physical exams and immunizations are conducted by CFMC, Inc. licensed health care providers, during regular school hours.

Extending these services allows for the continuation of meeting the needs of the service area by providing primary patient care in an environment that focuses on prevention of illness, therefore, improving the quality of life.

The program administered through CRMC Healthy Kids Clinic began last year in the Russell County school district and has expanded to include five other south central districts, including Clinton, this year.

According to Clarissa “Moochie” Hart, Healthy Kids Clinic Director, of the 176 school districts in Kentucky, only 15 have school based health centers, six of those now being in this area.

The School Based Health Center is adding an extra layer of medical care, with the medical clinic being available at each school.

For example, if a student becomes ill during a school day, the clinic is able to provide services that in most cases may require parents to have to pick up their child for such things as earaches, stomach viruses, strep throat, flu symptoms, etc. Being able to have the child treated in school and being able to dispense the medication needed on-site can be a great convenience for parents.

All parents were given consent forms at the start of the school year to have their children attended by the school nurse, and covers the school based health center, or clinic.

In cases where the school based centers are used, insurance companies or Medicaid would be billed when a student is seen by a nurse practitioner, or physician’s assistant. “We will not see a child behind anyone’s back,” Hart said. “We will take care of the billing.”

Hart made it clear that parents at all times had the final say and could opt to have their child cared for at school by the physician’s assistant or to take their child to their regular doctor.

The program also offers such free services as flu clinics and sports physicals.

During an examination of a student, the physician’s assistant may also observe some major physical symptoms early, such as a heart murmur, for example, and refer that child to a doctor who can treat the condition now, rather than perhaps finding it later in life.

Hart said the program in its pilot year in Russell County was a huge success and well received there.

Russell County has a student population of around 3,000 and with the addition of the five other counties, the program can assist around 1,500 students across the region this year.

Hart also noted in an interview earlier this summer that all phone lines and computer systems used are owned by Cumberland Family Medical, thus all information about students and their medical treatment, under HIPPA laws and others, would be completely confidential.

During that interview, Hart also praised the work of school nurses, saying “they are the biggest advocates for kids” and would do anything to help children in need in any way.

While hoping to see more students and parents take advantage of the free, more enhanced in-school medical service said it was “just one more step in educating ‘the whole child’ and meeting the needs of all children.”

Hart said late last week there had been more success in Cumberland County as far as number of students assisted, and as far as Clinton County goes, indicated there was always room to promote the program better, but added there have been success stories in the local district.

She indicated that part of the lower participation rate was because it is still a new program and some may not have the right perception of it and are still hesitant to take part.

Hart also said some parents may not know that even if their child were to wake up sick, they can call and make an appointment to have the nurse practitioner see the child at school and then taken back home.

Hart also noted the program had already offered a flu clinic in Clinton County, which was well received and so far, through the month of October alone, some 148 students have taken advantage of the free added medical service offered by the School Based Health Center. “We’ve had some good feedback,” she said, noting in some cases parents didn’t have to take off work to make a doctor’s appointment when they were able to be treated at school.

Hart also noted the program would be promoted more and that CFMC is taking part in sponsoring community events, athletic programs and so forth and will continue to get more involved in the community and get the word out.

“This is a great program and it will be a big benefit to students, parents and the schools,” she said.

For more information about School Based Health Centers or Healthy Kids Clinic, call toll-free 1-844-435-0900 or online at www.healthykidsclinic.com.