North Beach School District's new school-based health center

March 01, 2024Leigh Rowley

Pearsall Building, Aberdeen, March 14, 2024 - Grays Harbor County Public Health and North Beach School District today announced that it will open the doors of a new school-based health center (SBHC) inside the North Beach junior/senior high school. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will took place at the North Beach Junior and Senior High School at 336 State Route 115 in Ocean Shores at 3:30 P.M. on Thursday, Mar 14.

“Grays Harbor County Public Health is very excited to have partnered with the North Beach School District to open a school-based health center in the Junior/Senior High School,” said Mike McNickle, public health director at Grays Harbor County Public Health. “The opening of the school-based health center is the culmination of nearly two years of hard work, and we are fortunate to be able to start helping students, faculty, and staff this month!”

Initially, the North Beach SBHC will operate one day per week providing primary care services to North Beach students, faculty and staff members.

The North Beach SBHC will be the first of the grant recipients funded by the Washington State Legislature Substitute House Bill 1225 to complete their project of establishing or expanding school-based health centers in Washington K-12 public schools, with a focus on communities and populations who have been historically underserved.

With youth-focused health education and services available at school, more students are likely to stay healthy, feel supported, be in class ready to learn, and graduate.

School-based health centers (SBHCs) ensure young people have access to safe, comprehensive, youth-friendly care. SBHCs are usually in or next to a school property and are partnerships between communities, schools, and community health providers. The Washington State Department of Health promotes and supports over 70 SBHCs in Washington. SBHCs provide access to comprehensive primary care, including:

• Annual doctor visits • Sports physicals • Immunizations • Medications • Illness and injury • Behavioral health •