School district unveils health center Feb. 23.

SHELBY — District Health Department #10 and Shelby Public Schools invite Oceana County residents to the Shelby Adolescent Health Center’s open house Tuesday, Feb. 23.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at 4:30 p.m., and the public can tour the newly-renovated facility and meet staff from 4:45-6:30 p.m. The Shelby Adolescent Health Center is located inside Shelby Middle School at 525 N. State St.  

The adolescent health center began operating at a limited capacity lasty April. Now, it will be open five days per week throughout the year, including during school breaks and the summer. Oceana County students or residents aged 10-21, including those who are uninsured; under-insured; or those with public or private insurance coverage can use the Shelby Adolescent Health Center.  

The clinic staff will help families who have no health insurance enroll in Medicaid.

The school-based health center will provide on-site primary health care, behavioral health services, health promotion/disease prevention education, and referral services. By offering comprehensive primary and preventive care where kids are (at school), school-based health centers increase access to care for children and adolescents. Their services focus on prevention and the early identification and treatment of medical and behavioral concerns. Research has demonstrated that school-based health centers help keep kids healthy and ready to learn, reduces school absenteeism as well as reliance on emergency room for care, and allows parents to stay at work while ensuring their child’s health care needs are being met.

The Shelby Adolescent Health Center was funded in part by the Michigan Departments of Education (MDE) and Health and Human Services (MDHHS) through the Michigan Child and Adolescent Health Center (CAHC) Program. It has also received generous Oceana community support and donations.

For more information, call the center at its temporary phone number: 231-861-4521, ext 3906.