Sisters School-Based Health Center to expand access

The Sisters School-Based Health Center, located adjacent to Sisters High School, will soon expand its operations from two days a week to four days a week, thanks to a partnership between Mosaic Community Health, St. Charles Health System and Deschutes County. On Oct. 18, Mosaic will assume operations of the health center, which is currently operated by St. Charles Health System, in a building owned by Deschutes County.

“We are thrilled to be able to provide additional access to pediatric patients in Sisters by offering expanded hours for the school-based health center,” said Tamarra Harris, Pediatrics Manager for Mosaic. “In addition to a pediatric-trained medical provider, we also plan to have a full-time behavioral health consultant on site. We want to thank our community partners, St. Charles and Deschutes County, for supporting this transition, which will benefit our community.”

Under Mosaic, which operates six additional school-based health centers throughout Central Oregon, the health center will provide a pediatric-trained medical provider, a full-time behavioral health consultant, a community health worker, clinical pharmacy, Oregon Health Plan enrollment and nutritionist support. Deschutes County Behavioral Health staff will also be located on site.

“We believe this transition will benefit the Sisters community and shows the exceptional partnership the medical community has in Central Oregon,” said Emily Salmon, Vice President for whole person care and community health at St. Charles. “Ultimately, our goal is to provide the best access possible to medical care in our community and, in this case, that means transitioning the clinic to Mosaic, which has access to federal funding to expand services.”

Since 2015, the Sisters School-Based Health Center, located at 534 N. Reed St. in Sisters, has been providing convenient access to quality health care for local pediatric patients. Goals for school-based health centers include:

• Providing patient-centered care for all students, regardless of insurance status
• Reducing costs related to unnecessary hospital stays and use of emergency rooms
• Improving education outcomes—because healthy kids learn better
• Saving parents time by reducing hours of missed work to transport children to appointments

Utilizing unique public-private partnerships, School-Based Health Centers (SBHC) have been operating in the state of Oregon since 1986. There are currently 85 certified SBHCs across Oregon. Mosaic and their school district and county health partners currently operate six of those in Central Oregon, including at Bend High, Mountain View High, Madras High, Redmond High, Lynch Elementary and Crook Kids in Prineville. La Pine Community Health Center operates one SBHC in La Pine.

“School-based Health Centers provide a great service within Deschutes County, helping eliminate barriers for our youngest residents to receive health care. Together, Mosaic and St. Charles are helping to create a healthier Central Oregon and we applaud our continued partnerships,” said Holly Harris, Deschutes County Behavioral Health Director.

In addition to medical and behavioral health care, providers at Mosaic SBHCs emphasize prevention, early intervention, risk reduction and the development of healthy habits with their young patients. Mosaic SBHCs are open to anyone from birth through age 18, patients do not need to be a student at the school where the SBHC is located.

“We appreciate St. Charles, Deschutes County Health Services and all of our local partners for working together with us to improve the health of everyone in Central Oregon,” said Elaine Knobbs-Seasholtz, Mosaic Director of Strategy and Development.

Media Contacts: Shannon Brister-Raugust, Program Manager, School Based Health Centers, 541-213-6851

Bridget McGinn, Mosaic Community Health, 541-408-3327

Alandra Johnson, St. Charles Health System, 541-706-5989