Ohio Alliance Board of Directors Spotlight

Kelly Carey

This month, we're spotlighting Ohio Alliance Board Director Kelly Carey. Kelly is Chief Policy Officer at the Ohio Association of Community Health Centers and a member of the Ohio School-Based Health Alliance Board of Directors. Her work with Ohio’s Community Health Centers gives her a close view of why bringing care closer to where people are matters. We’re glad to have her voice on the Board.

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What inspired you to join the Ohio Alliance Board?

Through my work with Ohio’s Community Health Centers, I see how much it matters to bring care closer to where people are. Joining the Board felt like a natural extension of that work and a chance to help strengthen the connection between health care and education.

Why is school-based health care important for Ohio’s students and families?

It’s hard for a child to focus on learning when they don’t feel well, have a toothache, or are struggling with their mental health. For families, getting care can mean missed work, transportation challenges, and time away from school. School-based health care helps take those barriers out of the equation.

What do you see as the greatest opportunity ahead?

Our greatest opportunity is to make school-based health care a lasting part of how Ohio supports students and families. That means strengthening partnerships between schools, Community Health Centers, and other local providers, and making sure the funding and policies support their success.

What do you enjoy outside of work?

Anything with my son, Aloysius.

Why does school-based health care matter to you?

At the end of the day, we want kids to be healthy, ready to learn, and able to enjoy being kids. School-based health care helps make that happen while making life a little easier for the families doing their best to support them.