August 09, 2023 - York, PA
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh and Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) Acting Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen joined representatives from Hannah Penn School, Family First Health (FFH), and the United Health Foundation today to discuss a shared commitment of improving health care access for underserved communities through school-based health centers. This event also marks National Health Center Week, which recognizes the important role community health centers play in meeting the diverse health and social service needs of communities they serve. School-based health centers provide services like medical, behavioral, dental, and vision care directly in schools. The health centers are strategically located in communities with higher rates of Medicaid recipients and services provided are supported by DHS' Medicaid managed care organizations. Health centers embedded in schools, including the one located within the Hannah Penn School, are a powerful tool for easing barriers to care and achieving health equity among children in Pennsylvania. By locating a health center in a nontraditional space that is down the hall from its patients, this critical safety net can ensure that students have access to care when they need it.Speakers Include:Dr. Val Arkoosh, Secretary of Human ServicesDr. Debra Bogen, Acting Secretary of HealthJenny Englerth, President/CEOBlairBoroch, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of PA, CEO