Champaign, IL. (March 27, 2024)—Promise Healthcare, a Federally Qualified Community Health Center based in Champaign and Champaign Unit #4 Schools, was awarded a $50,000 planning grant from the Illinois Department of Public Health to complete planning activities needed to establish a school-based health center.
Promise Healthcare and Champaign Unit 4 Schools teams will complete planning activities by December 31, 2024. Project activities include evaluating resources needed and putting key components in place to operate a School-based Health Center to serve Unit 4 students, families, and community members.
Promise Healthcare CEO Jennifer Henry commented, “School-Based Health Centers are an excellent tool for schools to address health equity issues, and school- based health centers are linked to fewer class absences." She further stated, “We are excited to engage in this partnership with Champaign Unit 4 Schools to develop a school-based health center as it aligns with our mission to improve the health and well- being of the diverse communities we serve by providing high-quality, equitable healthcare to people of all ages." Promise Healthcare operates school-based health centers in partnership with Urbana School District #116 and Rantoul City Schools #137.
Champaign Unit 4 Schools Superintendent Dr. Shelia Boozer says, “We are excited about the opportunity to partner with Promise Healthcare. This new partnership
will bring increased access to vital care. Many of our students and families lack access to healthcare for various reasons, so a school-based center removes some of those barriers to bring healthcare directly to them.”
Dr. Boozer continued, “We believe this will lead to improved health outcomes.
With easier access to checkups, preventive care, and treatment of minor illnesses, students can experience better overall health and well-being. This can lead to fewer missed school days and better focus in the classroom. Initiatives such as this will truly make it a Great Day in Unit 4!”
More information can be found at https://www.promisehealth.org. Promise
operates clinics at the 821 S. Neil Street location, the Frances Nelson site at 819 Bloomington Road in Champaign, and the Urbana School Health Center site at the Urbana High School Campus.