Brooklyn Center aims to focus on students’ health
Published 10:23 am Monday, September 22, 2014
BROOKLYN CENTER — In an effort to cut the minority achievement gap, the Brooklyn Center school district is offering free health care services to its students and other children.
In 2009, the Brooklyn Center school district converted two classrooms at one of its schools into a health care clinic. The $250,000 clinic was funded by the Park Nicollet Foundation.
Education advocates say adding health care services to schools can help people in disadvantaged communities.
District officials in Brooklyn Center say the model is improving students’ health and increasing community engagement.
Patrice Howard is the community school manager for Brooklyn Center’s school district. She says the clinic helps students get the health care they need, which translates into fewer absences.