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The Grand Rapids Public School System Offers Summer Health Care Centers

The Grand Rapids Public School System is continuing the operation of its school-based health centers throughout the summer.

The centers will be open to students, regardless of their school district and will be able to see clients ages 10 to 21. For younger students, parents should contact the clinics to inquire about availability. Same-day appointments for health concerns, including illnesses or injuries, are available, as are mental health services.

If the family has insurance, it will be billed for treatment, but the visit will be free for families who have no insurance. If no prior consent is on file, parents or guardians must be present during all visits.

The centers will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday at Union High School, Ottawa Hills High School, and City High School. Before visiting the health centers, parents or guardians should contact the center to set up an appointment.

Available services include physicals, sports physicals, testing for sexually transmitted diseases, immunizations, counseling, lab testing, and treatment for minor illnesses and injuries. The centers are staffed with medical and mental health professionals to see to students’ needs.

The first of these school-based health centers opened in 1999 at Union High School. The existing health centers have received a number of grants over the years. In 2006, the Child and Adolescent Health Center Grant was awarded to the school district for Creston and Ottowa Hills high schools. In 2011, five-year grant from the Michigan Department of Community Health.

In the years since the centers opened, tens of thousands of visits have been made and thousands of students have benefited from the services provided thanks to partnerships with the Michigan Department of Community Health, Kent School Services Network, Cherry Street Health Services, and Spectrum Health.

Call 616-791-6593 to reach Union High School’s health center to check for appointment availability. Union High School is located at 1720 Plainfield Ave. NE. Ottowa Hills High School’s center is located at 2055 Rosewood Ave. SE and can be reached at 616-776-5110. To reach Creston High School’s center, call 616-776-5120. The center is located at 1720 Plainfield Ave. NE.