Plans are continuing on the community health center that will be operated inside Ross Beatty Junior/Senior High School according to Mary Middleton, executive director of Cassopolis Family Clinic.

The school-based health center will replace the former wood shop at Ross Beatty.

The Cassopolis Board of Education approved the plan in July.

The Cassopolis Family Clinic has been in operation since 1964 and today operates as a community health center, receiving in excess of $700,000 per year and taking care of more than 7,500 people, whether or not they have health insurance.

The clinic would provide health care services to students in kindergarten through 12th grade, as well as special education students.

A grant, through the Affordable Care Act, for $340,925 to renovate the wood shop was approved back in December.

It will allow the health center to serve an additional 1,000 patients.

“Kids have a need for health care and there can be barriers for parents in getting them to the doctor,” Middleton said as to the reason for a school-based health facility. “Life happens. Parents are working and they have a hard time getting off work. Or they only have one car that works. Or the kids might be involved in extra curricular activities or the parents are busy. Going to the doctor isn’t a priority.

“The other thing is, maybe they need dental care. If you can’t get your kids to the clinic for whatever reason, if you put the clinic in the school where the kids are and the parents give consent, it can provide the services there.”

The facility, which will be 3,120 square feet, will provide a range of affordable and accessible support services targeted toward youth. Those services will include immunization screening and administration, care for acute illness and chronic conditions, referral of other needed clinical services, mental health counseling, drug and alcohol awareness education, student and parent education opportunities and nutrition counseling.

Cassopolis Family Clinic is one of 35 Health Center organizations in Michigan, who are providing quality, comprehensive, affordable primary and preventive health care.