WASHINGTON, DC — In a first step toward expanding Waterbury's school-based health center, the city plans to use new federal funding to renovate St. Lucy's Church as a one-stop clinic for local students are doing.
“It's valuable for students because they already have an adult they can connect with and trust within the school,” said Waterbury Public Health Director Aisling McGuckin. “They have a network of teachers who care about them, they have a school nurse who cares about them, their counselors, other members of the behavioral health team, and their leaders all. , we care about them and we get to know them throughout the course” throughout the school year and throughout their school careers. ”
The $5 million is part of the more than $35 million allocated to Connecticut in the spending package passed by the U.S. Senate last month, and is the largest amount of funding among 38 total spending projects. But McGuckin, who completed the application for the project, said it's still $10 million less than the health department originally applied for.
Although the church renovation is not school-based, McGuckin said it is a starting point until the city can secure additional funding to build more school-based health centers or purchase mobile clinics. he said.
“At this time, our priority is to focus on the first part of the project, the renovation of St. Lucie’s,” she said. “We see an opportunity to use these funds to begin that effort, but we will continue to look for funding to supplement that.”
McGuckin added that the renovations will allow for comprehensive medical services at multiple schools until more funding is secured to build clinics, calling the renovations “dental, medical, behavioral health, and more.” As a one-stop-shop regional health resource center with services, families who must travel to appointments can receive multiple cares in one visit.”
Sen. Blumenthal echoed McGuckin's sentiments, saying, “This $5 million in federal funding will connect thousands of Waterbury students and their families with urgently needed medical, dental, and mental health services. “It will happen,” he said in a statement.
Sen. Chris Murphy also spoke about efforts to make schools the primary hub for health services.
“While children spend most of the week in classrooms, these school-based mobile health centers are designed to meet students wherever they are and ensure they are connected to medical, dental, and behavioral health services. “It's an important tool,” he said.
The project also spotlights Waterbury, where U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes and former Republican state Sen. George Logan are vying for the state's most competitive House seat this election cycle. Both candidates have expressed support for making schools places where students can receive medical care.
At a news conference last week, Hayes, along with Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), touted federal legislation focused on increasing funding and staffing for mental health services in public schools nationwide.
The bill, introduced in late January and with about 20 co-sponsors, would add $74 million in service costs, for a total of $174 million. It's unclear how much money Connecticut will receive, but DeLauro said high-risk school districts like Waterbury will be prioritized.
Logan, who served in the state Senate from 2017 to 2021, advocated for school-based health centers in Connecticut at a 2017 forum. He now highlights the benefits that can be gained from these centers.
“School-based clinics, if run properly, can provide parents with the opportunity to receive regular medical care for their children,” Logan said in a statement. “The ultimate goal is student health, improved academic performance, and the best educational outcomes for our children.”
Promoting comprehensive medical care in schools across the state is not new.
In 2022, a working group was tasked with expanding school-based health centers by selecting towns and schools across the state that would greatly benefit from clinics. The group nominated 157 schools in 21 cities, with Waterbury receiving the most nominations with 29 schools. West Haven and Bridgeport followed with 24 schools.
This fiscal year, the state Legislature approved $11.5 million for school-based health centers. Connecticut originally allocated $11.5 million for fiscal year 2025, but Gov. Ned Lamont recommended an increase of $250,000 in his mid-term budget report, bringing the total to nearly $11.8 million.
Ms McGuckin said she was grateful for the funding Waterbury received and was hopeful that more funding would be secured.
“It makes life easier for kids and it makes life easier for parents,” she said. “But it's also part of a vision of communities whose lives continue to revolve around schools, and we know that's the reality for school-age children. Families receive the services and medical care they need. The more services we can provide through schools, the more likely families are to use and benefit from those services.”
