New school-based health center opens in East Harlem

Last month, the Institute was pleased to open a new school-based health center inside the Sendero Verde affordable housing complex in East Harlem. This new school-based site is a collaboration between the Institute and Harlem Children’s Zone, a nonprofit that aims to end child poverty through educational programs.

For many busy parents and students, school-based health centers negate the need for school absences and missed work hours by offering care during the school day. In addition to preventative medical care and health education, students can also access mental health services and social services, such as the ability to meet with a counselor or help with signing up for health insurance. Like the Institute’s seven other school-based health centers, the new center aims to provide accessible, affordable health care to students during the school day.

The new school-based health center, called Harlem Children’s Zone Promise Academy II Elementary School-Based Health Center, is located at 70 East 112^th Street. It offers primary care, mental health and case management services to 600 students in grades K-5, many of whom are low-income. As with all Institute health centers, no one is turned away based on their ability to pay.