Students in Federal Way Public Schools now have access to valuable health care services through the district’s first School Based Health Center (SBHC) at TAF@Saghalie.
While there are students throughout the district who do not have accessible health care, “the district is fortunate to have partners like Kaiser and HealthPoint who are addressing this long-standing equity gap by making services available at TAF@Saghalie,” the district said in a recent news release.
The SBHC opened Jan. 25 and provides in-person and telehealth services. The SBHC offers immunizations, primary care, mental health counseling, health assessments and education, sports physicals, laboratory services, and acute illness or injury treatment.
The SBHC does not collect fees, and there is no out-of-pocket cost to students or families. The SBHC provides care to students even if they do not have insurance or are unable to pay, according to the district.
Registration is now open to TAF@Saghalie and Decatur High School students with an expansion to other students in the district at a later date.
An existing space at TAF@Saghalie was renovated by the district to house the SBHC, and health care services are provided by HealthPoint in partnership with Federal Way Public Schools.
“Now more than ever, we need to remove barriers so our scholars have equitable access to health care in our community,” said Superintendent Tammy Campbell. “Our district’s partnership with HealthPoint will bring these services directly to students to support their achievement in school and social emotional needs as well.”
HealthPoint is a community health center that provides high-quality, affordable care at 19 locations in King County.
“HealthPoint’s mission is to break down barriers to accessing health care and provide great care for all. One of the ways we live our mission is by bringing health services to schools like TAF@Saghalie,” said Lisa Yohalem, president and CEO of HealthPoint.
HealthPoint also operates three other SBHCs in the Renton and Highline school districts, as well as two primary care clinics in the Federal Way/Des Moines area.
The SBHC was funded by two grants from Kaiser Permanente that assisted with the planning and start-up of the school based health center, along with capital grant money from Washington state that was used for renovations to create a designated space inside the school for the school based health center in partnership with Technology Access Foundation.
Learn more
The School Based Health Center (SBHC) at TAF@Saghalie is located at 33914 19th Avenue SW in Federal Way. For more information or to make an appointment, visit fwps.org.
