MDHHS providing $2.4 million in planning grants to 26 schools to expand Child and Adolescent Health Centers

LANSING, Mich. – School-age youth in 26 Michigan schools will benefit from $2.4 million in funding to plan for new health services, covering 21 counties. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is funding communities to convene partners and identify locations in or near K-12 schools to add primary care, nursing and behavioral health services for students.

“We congratulate the 26 planning grant recipients and thank them for their commitment to the health of children and families in their communities,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “We will work closely with them to increase access to high quality health services for children and adolescents in Michigan.” 

The funding for these planning grants is part of a $25 million investment made by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer last year to expand Child and Adolescent Health Centers (CAHC) to additional sites across the state. Following successful completion of the planning process, these new sites will be awarded implementation funding join the 200 existing CAHCs serving students in Michigan.

Funded sites include:

• Benzie Leelanau District Health Department – Suttons Bay and Frankfort-Elberta Public Schools
• Family Medical Center of Michigan Inc. – Springbrook Middle School
• Sterling Area Health Center – (two school districts TBD)
• Ottawa Area Intermediate School District – (school TBD)
• Baldwin Family Health Care – Reed City and Evart Schools
• Public Health, Delta and Menominee Counties – Bay College Campus Health Center
• Cass City Public Schools – (school TBD)
• Community Mental Health for Central Michigan – Shepard School District
• Mott Children’s Health Center – Mt. Morris Community and Education Center and Genesee School District
• Sanilac County Health Department – Sandusky School District
• Great Lakes Bay Health Centers – Bay City Central High School
• MyMichigan Health Foundation – Alma and St. Louis Public Schools
• District Health Department #4 – Hillman Community Schools
• Concord Community School District
• Otsego Public Schools
• Hamilton Community Health Network – School-linked in Genesee County
• Eaton Regional Educational Service Agency – Grand Ledge High School
• Springport Public Schools
• Catherine’s Health Center – Kentwood Public Schools
• Ingham County Health Department – East Lansing Public Schools
• Ascension Southeast Michigan Community Health – Lamphere Public Schools

The purpose of the CAHC Program Planning Grant is to provide a safe and caring place for children and adolescents to learn positive health behaviors, prevent diseases and receive needed medical care and support, resulting in healthy youth who are ready and able to learn and become educated, productive adults. Clinical CAHC and School Wellness Program models assist eligible children and adolescents with enrollment in Medicaid and provide access to Medicaid preventive services.

School-based and school-linked health center services have been provided in Michigan through the CAHC program since the 1980s. The CAHC program is jointly managed by MDHHS and the Michigan Department of Education.

Visit Child & Adolescent Health Center Program (michigan.gov) for more information.

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