NPS and NCHC Celebrate New School-Based Health & Wellness Centers

Norwalk Public Schools and the Norwalk Community Health Center (NCHC) celebrated the opening of their newest school-based health and wellness centers alongside federal, state and local officials as well as school leaders, healthcare workers and students on Monday.

The official ribbon cutting ceremony took place at Ponus Ridge STEAM Academy where one of the two new health centers is opening. The Ponus Ridge location will service students from Ponus and Concord Magnet School. The second location is opening at Brien McMahon High School and will service students at Brien McMahon and the Center for Global Studies.

“As a school system, we’re not only responsible for providing our scholars an education but also providing a well-rounded experience that allows them to not only to get the educational tools that they need but also the social services they need to keep them healthy and well to progress in our educational system and most importantly, keep them on track for their future,” said Dr. Alexandra Estrella, Superintendent of Norwalk Public Schools.

Both entities were proud to welcome Senator Richard Blumenthal; Jonathan Smalls, a proud alumnus of both Ponus Ridge and Brien McMahon, representing Senator Chris Murphy; Congressman Jim Himes; State Senator Bob Duff; and Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling.

A Health Center Program School-Based Service Expansion grant from the U.S. Human Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) was key to NCHC’s ability to open new service sites at the two school campuses. Norwalk Community Health Center and Norwalk Public Schools is indebted to Senator Blumenthal, Senator Murphy, and Congressman Jim Himes for endorsing the grant request that will expand access to medical, behavioral health, and enabling services for students.

“As an organization, we are really committed to this work. The grant is really about focusing not only on primary care but mental health services. We know nationally that 22% of all high school students in the last year seriously considered committing suicide. We know that this program is going to be very effective at preventing that,” said Kenneth Waller, CEO of the Norwalk Community Health Center.

Norwalk Community Health Center’s nationally recognized health center is honored to be partnering with all four schools to provide school-based health and wellness services for their students. NCHC will work together with families and their family pediatricians to keep Norwalk students healthy and in school. Services provided will range from physicals to immunizations, counseling to crisis intervention, and so much more.

Visit the Norwalk Public Schools website to learn more about the new school-based health centers.