Bellevue School Access Project

Grantee: International Community Health Services
Timeframe: October 2023 – July 2024 | Amount: $29,929.71

ICHS will utilize the vehicle that serves as the Mobile Dental Clinic (MDC) to expand mobile services at partner schools in the Bellevue School District (BSD). ICHS operates the only School Based Health Center (SBHC) in BSD at Highland Middle School, and has seen an increase of students referred from other BSD schools. ICHS piloted a project that offered mobile health services including immunizations, primary care and care coordination at Interlake High School to determine the unmet need for non-traditional access points. The pilot included 5 service dates from Jan. to May of 2023, during which the project team completed 79 encounters, served 45 unduplicated users and administered 252 vaccines. ICHS will expand the pilot project completed in the 2022-23 school year to determine the potential capacity of ICHS’ mobile clinic to provide increased services to BSD. The proposed time-limited project will determine the difference in required resources for elementary and high school service sites, the partnership model best aligned with the focus population, and what sites serve as the most effective access points for BSD students. Following the project period, ICHS will better understand the mobile clinic’s sustainability and capacity to offer a broader scope of mobile services at school sites where there is not a SBHC.

Students referred to the Highland SBHC often attend Interlake High School, Sammamish High School, Sherwood Forest Elementary and Ardmore Elementary. Each site has high numbers of minority, low-income and ELL students. In response, ICHS will provide 12 days of services total via the mobile clinic from October to July at the proposed sites. Each day, ICHS will provide a medical, behavioral health and/or dental provider, based on the needs of the site. Services will be determined in collaboration with community members and representatives from each site, including school administration, the school nurse or counselor, and relevant staff such as family support workers based on the unique needs of the service site. Additional ICHS staff will include a patient services representative and driver, patient navigator, and the school services administrator. Services provided include physical exams and health assessments, including sports physicals and other routine exams, immunizations, and diagnosis and treatment of illness and injuries. Staff will link students and guardians to other health services or resources to address social determinants of health and connect patients with providers at health centers. Based on the demands of each site, ICHS may conduct health education, behavioral health services, psychoeducation and dental exams, x-rays and cleanings. To engage those served in the delivery of services, ICHS disseminates an end-of-year report to all patients who received care via mobile services. The survey includes questions on accessibility, inclusivity, quality of care and how to best serve patients. Feedback from the survey responses are incorporated in the delivery of services.

Services will be provided at no out-of-pocket expense to the student, but, if available, insurance will be billed. Students who experience health access and outcome disparities can receive primary care services during the school day to reduce scheduling and transportation barriers. ICHS connects with families to address their unique barriers to accessing care and provides navigation and care coordination to students and guardians. Program staff may provide language support, insurance enrollment assistance, link patients to PCPs or connect patients to specialty care and additional services.