From: e-Dear Colleague
Sent: Wednesday, September 16, 2009 5:11 PM
To: E-DEARCOLL_ISSUES_G-Z_0000@ls2.house.gov
Subject: HealthCare: Dear Colleague: JPS School-Based Health Clinics

JPS School-Based Health Clinics

From: The Honorable Joe Barton
Sent By: sarah.whiting@mail.house.gov
Date: 9/16/2009

September 16, 2009

Dear Colleague:

As Congress discusses health care reform proposals, we would like to draw your attention to a program operated by JPS Health Network in Tarrant County, Texas. We believe this issue is so important that we have come together to share this information that is critical to America’s children. 

JPS Health Network serves as the public hospital in Tarrant County and includes many community health clinics and school based health centers. JPS provides a valuable service to our Tarrant County school-aged children through their school based health centers.  School based health centers like these have proven that effective preventive and primary care for medically underserved children can decrease academic failure rates resulting from poor health.

JPS has partnered with several school districts throughout Tarrant County to offer parents an entry point for their children into primary care services not readily available in the community.  The centers are a unique opportunity for parents and have led to healthier students, families and school campuses.    

To learn more about their success, we ask that you take just two minutes to read the message below and click on the video link. You may also visit the official Web site of the National Assembly on School-Based Health Care at www.nasbhc.org to learn more about the school based health care model throughout the nation.

Sincerely,

/s/                                      /s/                                      /s/
Joe Barton                       Michael Burgess             Kay Granger
Member of Congress      Member of Congress     Member of Congress

JPS School-Based Centers

JPS Health Network's 15 school-based health centers are helping children spend more time in the classroom with easy access to the exam room, providing a true benefit to area families and schools.

JPS is the tax-supported health care system located in Tarrant County, Texas. Our school-based health centers provide a unique partnership opportunity between health care organizations and school districts. School-aged children in Tarrant County school districts, and their siblings, are able to be seen by a nurse practitioner for only $5. This enables area families to afford immediate access to health care for their children to receive immunizations and care for colds and chronic diseases.

What makes JPS' school-based health centers unique?

• Parents are involved in the care of their child. They accompany their children to appointments and receive valuable information about their health.
• Siblings of students can also be seen, including infants.
• Health centers are open year round so children are able to receive treatment even when school is not in session. 

JPS school-based health centers will manage approximately 40,000 visits in a fiscal year 2010, equaling healthier kids, healthier schools and healthier families.

Learn more about school-based centers in this two-minute video at http://files.me.com/sregian/rjf729