Flagler Health + and St. Johns County Community Partnership Schools Officially Open In-School Telehealth Kiosk for Students

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – June 14, 2021 – A ceremonial ribbon was cut today at two Community Partnership Schools™ to officially open telehealth kiosks that offer access to timely, accessible health and wellness services, provided by Flagler Health+.

The Community Partnership Schools™ models at The Webster School and South Woods Elementary, a collaborative leadership between Children’s Home Society of Florida, Flagler Health+, St. Johns County School District and St. Johns River State College, offers support to students beyond education. Some students at these schools carry baggage heavier than any backpack – food scarcity, mental health struggles, inconsistent home lives, inadequate health care and more. Each of these factors play a role in the success – or lack thereof – to the student’s ability to focus on their education.

“The ability for students to access health care is paramount to their success in the classroom today and in life,” said Flagler Health + President and CEO Jason Barrett. “The evidence is strong: being ready to start school is strongly correlated with less grade repetition, higher graduation rates, lower-risk behaviors, and better adult health outcomes. Our mission is to advance the physical, social and economic health of the communities we serve and providing these telehealth kiosks is just one way to advance those efforts.”

A call to a parent from a school nurse would typically require the child to be picked up from school, taken home, and then schedule an appointment with a physician – assuming the family has insurance and the logistical capabilities to attend the appointment. Now, these needs can be addressed more urgently, and free of charge, with a visit to the Flagler Health + Wellness Kiosk. It saves times and gets the child feeling better, faster.

“Wellness support is a key focus of the Community Partnership Schools™ model, including health and mental health care, nutrition, vision, hearing and dental screenings and more,” said Ernest Hamilton, Children’s Home Society of Florida Regional Executive Director. “With the addition of the Flagler Health + Telehealth Kiosks, we can continue to address burdens that interfere with academic success and empower more St. Johns County children to realize their full potential.”

“The St. Johns County School District is delighted to see the progress and innovative support for students continuing to flourish at The Community Partnership Schools, said Superintendent Tim Forson. “The Webster School and South Woods Elementary, through the launch of the Flagler Health + Wellness Kiosk. The collaborative work of Flagler Health+, Children’s Home Society, and St. Johns River State College has made it possible for us to help meet the needs of our students by focusing efforts on the whole child and ensuring they have access to free and timely services that could help them overcome barriers in order to be successful in the classroom.”

In addition to health and wellness services, the community collaboration offered by The Community Partnership Schools™ model offers on-site food pantries, counseling, after-school activities, parent resource centers, and more.

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About Flagler Health+

Flagler Health + is a total care enterprise aimed at advancing the physical, social and economic health of Northeast Florida communities. From working with area schools to address youth behavioral health to bringing a new concept in health villages throughout the region, UF Health St. Johns is building healthier communities. UF Health St. Johns is an extension of UF Health Flagler Hospital, which has a 130-year legacy of caring for the community. Learn more at www.flaglerhealth.org.

About Children's Home Society of Florida
On the front lines since 1902, Children’s Home Society of Florida is the oldest and largest statewide organization devoted to helping children and families. Children’s Home Society of Florida serves more than 50,000 children and family members throughout the state each year. More: www.chsfl.org.

About Community Partnership Schools
Based on a highly successful initiative launched in New York City, the Community Partnership Schools™ model requires the core partners — the school district, a health care provider, a nonprofit organization and a college or university — to commit their support to the school and community for 25 years, impacting a generation. Children’s Home Society of Florida brought the model to Florida in 2011 in partnership with Orange County Public Schools and The University of Central Florida. Children’s Home Society of Florida is a core partner in 18 Community Partnership Schools – more than any other entity in the state. Learn more about Community Partnership Schools at www.chsfl.org/services/community-partnership-schools.