Senators Stabenow and Peters Announce Funding for School-Based Health Center in Lake Linden-Hubbell School District

WASHINGTON D.C. —U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Gary Peters (D-MI) today announced $200,000 in funding for the Upper Great Lakes Family Health Center to provide physical and mental health care services in the Lake Linden-Hubbell School District. There are 140 school-based health centers in Michigan, which play a crucial role in providing health care to students who have limited access to medical care outside of school. Senator Stabenow secured these funds in the recent government funding bill.

School-based health centers provide a combination of primary care, mental health care, substance use disorder counseling, case management, dental health, nutrition education, health education and health promotion activities

“School-based health centers play an important role in providing care to so many children who don’t have access to a family doctor,” said Senator Stabenow. “They are also meeting a critical need for mental health services for children impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. Upper Great Lakes Family Health Center has already done such wonderful work in the community. I am glad they will be able to provide care to even more students.”

“The pandemic put an even greater spotlight on the need to invest in our school-based health centers – which play an important role in providing care as well as mental health support to students, faculty, and school staff every single day,” said Senator Peters. “These federal resources will help the Upper Great Lakes Family Health Center expand access to essential services in schools throughout the Upper Peninsula, and ensure students are getting the support they need to be successful.”

“Upper Great Lakes Family Health Center and the Lake Linden-Hubbell School District are very grateful and extremely excited about this HRSA School Based Health Center award. Together, we strive to provide exceptional education and healthcare services to children in our community. We are grateful for Senators Stabenow and Peters’ support of this project and look forward to implementing the services together,” said Donald Simila, CEO Upper Great Lakes Family Health Center.

School-based health centers have continued to provide services to their patients throughout the COVID-19 crisis, with more than half of the centers offering telehealth services. Throughout the pandemic, school-based health centers have seen a 73% increase in the use of vital mental health services by children and adolescents. School-based health centers also regularly help coordinate school COVID-19 responses to keep students, teachers, and other employees safe.

###