A new agreement is allowing Butler County preschoolers in Head Start programs who become ill during classes to be transported to area school-based health clinics.
Officials with Primary Health Solutions, which operates on-campus health clinics for Fairfield, Middletown, Hamilton and Edgewood Schools, said students whose parents and guardians have given permission can now be driven to the nearest clinic for their medical, dental or vision needs.
“The services will be provided to preschoolers in the Head Start program, at the Primary Health Solutions center nearest to the Head Start center,” said Ronda Croucher, vice president of community engagement for Primary Health Solutions.
Since 2016, when Primary Health Solutions opened Butler County’s first school campus-based clinic in Fairfield Schools, the company has been expanding its services to other public school systems.
MORE: Middletown High School is latest site for expanding number of campus health clinics
Croucher said the health care company will provide more “linked services” and now Head Start program staffers at the four school districts “will transport children for consented services during the normal class time.”
This treatment model, she said, will allow guardians who have transportation issues and other challenges such as work schedule conflicts to secure health services for their children.
“This is a great benefit to families and will eliminate barriers to the children receiving the services they need,” she said.
Marc Bellisario, president & CEO of Primary Health Solutions, echoed that the new program is meant to break down limitations for care.
“Our job is to provide access to excellent health care services, eliminating barriers that families are challenged with every day,” said Marc Bellisario, President & CEO of Primary Health Solutions.
Sheri Davis, a health supervisor for Butler County Head Start, said she has already seen the new transportation agreement help a needy parent.
“We had a mom who had taken her child to the emergency room. Due to the long wait and the fact that she had other children at home, she left against medical advice. (County) Children Services was called, and were threatening to take action if mom did not have the child seen (by medical personnel) right away,” said Davis.
“The mother was in a panic and had no transportation. The mother reached out to us. Our team immediately called Primary Health Solutions (PHS) to set up a quick (medical) appointment. She then called Children Services with the appointment time and the fact that we were handling transportation.
“Thanks to our agreement with PHS, this child was seen quickly and children services did not have to take further action. The mother was very happy.”
Croucher said Head Start parents or guardians interested in the transportation program can get more information by going to primaryhealthsolutions.org or from the Head Start program teachers and nursing staff.
They can also get more information from their child’s teacher or call Primary Health Solutions at 513-454-1111.
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