The Polk Bros. Foundation has long sought to improve the health of Chicago public school students. Our grants helped start and for many years have supported school-based health centers at Amundsen, Lakeview and Roosevelt high schools and Ryerson Elementary. In 2000, we launched an initiative to encourage the formation of additional school-based health centers, with the goal of increasing student access to confidential, client-appropriate primary physical and mental health care. The initiative called for one year of funding for planning followed by four annual grants for implementation, with more than $1.5 million to be distributed. As the initiative nears its conclusion, the Foundation is pleased to report the success of six partnerships now providing medical and mental health services through school-based health centers:
- » Children’s Memorial Hospital/Arai Middle School (Uptown)
- » Erie Family Health Center/Frazier Elementary School (North Lawndale)
- » Youth Guidance/Clemente Community Academy (West Town/Humboldt Park),
- » UIC Neighborhoods Initiative/Young Women’s Leadership Charter School (Near South Side)
- » Heartland Health Outreach/Senn High School (Edgewater)
- » Access Community Health Network/Sullivan High School (Rogers Park)
These clinics will be eligible for continued funding from the Foundation after the initiative concludes.