The Health Center Inside Highland Middle School
When the Highland Middle School Health Center first opened in 2018 as part of a pilot program initiated by the Best Starts for Kids initiative, it was the first of its kind in Bellevue.
Safe and Confidential Student Health Care
The Highland Health Center is staffed and operated by both the International Community Health Services (ICHS) and Youth Eastside Services (YES). It provides a safe and confidential space for students to access comprehensive healthcare right at the Highland Middle School campus. The health center offers a wide range of no-cost services, including immunizations, dental exams, mental health and substance use screening and counseling, and so much more.
Being There from the Beginning
YES co-occurring counselor Sarah Burdell has been there since the beginning. She works at the Clinic alongside an ICHS Nurse Practitioner, Dental Team, Care Coordinator, and Health Educator to provide collaborative care.
“It’s been amazing to build a new program at the Highland Health Center. We work as a team to support every student who comes to the health center. Having a medical center that provides physical, mental/substance use health, and dental on campus, we can ensure that students are able to address their full health needs while continuing to attend classes. It’s powerful to see patients advocate for their health needs and be able to support them.”
Plans for the 2020-2021 School Year
Excitingly, later this summer the health center will move into its new permanent space, which was built as part of Highland Middle School’s rebuild project. This will ensure the health center will be at the school permanently. With its own new private entrance, it will make accessing care much easier for not only students at Highland but across the Bellevue School District.
With plans for the 2020-2021 school year still in flux due to COVID-19, health center staff are already preparing to offer their services virtually, if necessary. Right now, Highland Health Center students can be seen via Zoom by clinicians. For the fall, the health center is working on a plan to include in-person and virtual visits as necessary, so that no matter what happens with the school year, students have a place to go for any of their personal health needs.
Keep an eye out for more exciting news on the Highland Health Center’s reopening in August!