Ohio Alliance Member Spotlight

Xenia Community Schools

This month, we're spotlighting Xenia Community Schools in Greene County, whose school-based health center (SBHC) is the result of a strong partnership with Dayton Children's Hospital. We spoke with Darla Gray about how the SBHC is reaching students and families in new ways this year.

What's a recent SBHC impact you're proud of?

One recent impact we're especially proud of is our transportation process, which helps make the SBHC more accessible to students. By creating a process that allows students ages 8 and older who attend schools other than the middle school to access the school-based health center, we've been able to remove transportation and scheduling barriers that can sometimes prevent students from receiving needed care. This also allows more students to receive care during the school day and return to the classroom with less disruption to their education.

How has the SBHC changed the day-to-day experience of students and families?

The school-based health center has made accessing care easier and more convenient for students and families. Students can receive needed healthcare right where they learn instead of needing to leave school or arrange transportation, and parents don’t need to take time away from work for an appointment. For families, the SBHC provides a trusted resource close to home and helps reduce many of the barriers that can make accessing care difficult. Day-to-day, that means students are healthier, more supported, and better able to focus on learning.

What's a recent story or outcome you've seen in a student's or family's life?

This year, an immunization clinic was added to open houses for middle school and high school. This allowed families the opportunity to walk into the SBHC during the evening open houses and get the immunizations they needed for school attendance.

“The school-based health center continues to be a game changer for our district. When students are healthy, they are ready to learn — and having a trusted partner like Dayton Children's to provide quality care in our schools — means less time in waiting rooms, fewer missed hours of instruction, and greater peace of mind for our families. By addressing health barriers directly where our students spend their day, we are ensuring that every child has the support they need to thrive both in and out of the classroom.” - Dr. Lofton, Superintendent

How do school staff coordinate with your SBHC?

The beginning of the year is a critical time to allow school staff to connect with the students who need support. The SBHC has been woven into beginning-of-year staff meetings and resource events, so staff can share the SBHC's resources with families. Together, SBHC staff and Xenia Community Schools staff strongly support the whole child framework.

What makes your SBHC unique?

What makes our school-based health center unique is the strong partnership between Dayton Children's Hospital and Xenia Community Schools. The collaboration with teachers, administrators, counselors, and school staff is top-level. By working closely together, we're able to connect health and education in a meaningful way.

What's next for your SBHC?

Our nurse practitioner is reaching out to our local preschools to make sure they're aware of the services available. We know that the earlier we can identify and address a child's health needs, the better the long-term outcomes can be. It's wonderful to have the opportunity to build relationships early and give each student a healthy head start as they begin their educational journey.

Celebrating the start of 5 years at Warner Middle School, left to right: Sarah Six RN; Dina Thurman MS, CPNP-PC, PMHS; Cheri Lockwood Medical Office Assistant and Wellness Coordinator

Want to learn more about what membership with the Ohio Alliance can offer your school-based health care program? Explore membership today