Northwest Local School District

3240 Banting Road
Cincinnati, OH 45239
513-522-6700

Project Title
Evidence-Based Prevention Program Planning
Grant Description
To plan for the implementation of a school-wide evidence-based prevention program
Focus Area
School-Based Child Health Interventions
Region Served
Hamilton County, OH
Award Amount
$20,000
Year Awarded
2007
Grant Duration
9 months

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Project Title
Health Assistance for Northwest District Schools (HANDS)
Grant Description
To start up a school-based health center serving five elementary schools
Focus Area
School-Based Child Health Interventions
Region Served
Hamilton County, OH
Award Amount
$350,025
Year Awarded
2000
Grant Duration
18 months
Results Northwest Local School District was awarded the School-Based Health Center grant in October 2000 and the center will open in September 2001. The Health Assistance for Northwest District Schools program (HANDS) mission statement is to improve 1) academic performance, 2) fourth grade proficiency tests, 3) student grades, and 4) health-related attendance. The short-term objective is to provide school-based physical and behavioral health services. The primary targeted population for this program will be the five Title I elementary (preschool through grade five) schools. The top three health concerns among families and school staff members were allergies, eating habits, and behavior problems.

Our medical partner for this project is Mercy Franciscan Hospital. Physical health needs will be addressed in the first year at Taylor Elementary. Each successive year, two additional Title I schools will be added for services. A part-time nurse practitioner will divide her time among these schools as needed during the school season. A full-time social worker will be hired to coordinate all activities. Accessing existing community partners and linkages to the Oral Health Council will provide dental assistance. The dental sealant program will be utilized for the Title I schools with a poverty rate in excess of 50%.

Our mental health partner is NORCEN Behavioral Health Systems. Two part-time psychologists will be hired to provide better coverage year-round for our large district. Wellness programs will be provided to families and students. Stress workshops will be offered for staff development.

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Project Title
School-Based Health Center Planning
Grant Description
To determine the feasibility a school-based health center
Focus Area
School-Based Child Health Interventions
Region Served
Hamilton County, OH
Award Amount
$25,245
Year Awarded
2000
Grant Duration
6 months
Results The Northwest Local School District received a School-Based Health Center Planning grant in spring 2000. These funds enabled our District to investigate health concerns and barriers that had been reported by many families of young children. For the past three years, community representatives, district employees, and concerned parents have been working on establishing a Family Resource Center. A School-Based Health Center (SBHC) would help address health concerns. Health surveys were distributed to all nine elementary schools to determine district-wide needs. The findings from these surveys enabled us to write our grant to address the specific needs and concerns of each area of our large district.

Ken Shewmon from The Exemplar Group, LLC, organized a series of focus groups. Mercy Franciscan Hospital provided health expertise. Focus questions were posed, each followed by a brainstorming session to discuss specific strategies and needs. Each meeting helped our team visualize what our final proposal needed to have.

The planning team made connections with other health agencies to begin forming partnerships and to collect information about the already existing services. A communication strategy was produced that would help announce SBHC services to persons in need as well as to other community associates. With our final plan devised, the committee completed the budget construction.

The planning process provided an opportunity to connect specific community health needs for young children to currently existing or newly acquired services. Meeting individual student needs by working with families and health professionals will help our students to become their personal best.

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