Hays CISD Awarded $500,000 Federal Grant to Build Permanent WELL Clinic
U.S. Congressman Lloyd Doggett, who supported the grant application at the federal level, praised Hays CISD's efforts to win the grant. "At the time the clinic was founded, Hays County was designated as a "medically underserved" county and the clinic was the only source for primary and secondary health care for many in the Kyle/Buda area. It has served as the medical home for hundreds of families and has served thousands of children in the county. As the Hays County population continues to grow, so do the needs of the WELL Clinic," said Rep. Doggett.
The WELL Clinic currently provides immunizations, physical examinations, sports physicals, diagnosis and treatment of minor illnesses and injuries, case management of chronic illnesses, prescription medications as needed, and health education on nutrition, disease and injury prevention.
The proposed new WELL clinic facility will accommodate approximately 7,000 patients annually, nearly double the current 3,600 patients who access clinic services each year. Plans call for the new 3,395 square-foot building to include: nine exam rooms, a hearing testing room, sick waiting and well waiting areas, a vitals area, a nurses station, offices for providers, and work and storage space.
"We are thrilled to have been awarded this grant. This has made it possible for us to build a permanent medical home for our patients. We are looking forward to expanding our services and working with the community to help ensure the health of the students in our district. After all, healthy students learn better!" said Hays CISD Director of Student Health Services Ruth Roberts.
The $500,000 grant to Hays CISD was part of a larger $95 million grant award announcement from the United States Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). A total of 278 school-based health centers (SBHCs) across the country were awarded grants, and Hays CISD was one of only seven recipients from Texas. These programs will improve access to basic primary health care for school-aged children, many of whom have no other sources of care. The School-Based Health Centers Capital (SBHCC) Program (HRSA-11-127) is the first-ever source of federal funding to uniquely support school-based health centers.