Bills Could Fund Health Care in Community Schools
May 16, 2007
Bills Could Fund Health Care in Community Schools
Bills introduced in the U.S. House and Senate yesterday would amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to authorize federal funds for "full-service community schools," which are defined as schools that provide services, which could include health care, at school sites, in cooperation with community agencies. Introduced in the Senate by Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson (D) and in the House by Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD), the bills list services that could be funded in community schools as including early childhood programs; literacy and reading programs for youths and families; parenting education activities; community service; job training and career counseling; nutrition services; primary health and dental care; and preventive mental health and treatment services. Bill sponsor Senator Nelson said the bills would “establish an important grant program” with resources directed to community needs including public health. Priority for funds would go to grantees that serve at least two schools in which at least 40 percent of the children are from low-income families. The Full-Service Community Schools Act of 2007 is S. 1391 in the Senate and H.R. 2323 in the House. The bills can be read and tracked at http://thomas.loc.gov.