DELAWARE - The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services has announced funding awards to establish four new school-based health centers in Sussex County.
The funding comes from the state's Rural Health Transformation Program. The department said the investment will bring more healthcare resources directly to Sussex County.
Funding will be awarded to Nemours Children's Health for Seaford Middle School, TidalHealth for Selbyville Middle School and Beebe Health for both Sussex Central Middle School and Georgetown Middle School.
"A child's health should never be determined by their ZIP code," said Governor Matt Meyer. "These new school-based health centers will bring health care directly to students and families in Sussex County, helping more children stay healthy, succeed in school, and build brighter futures."
The department also said it will expand access to preventive, primary and behavioral health services in communities that historically have have fewer school-based health resources, like Sussex County. The department said this will improve health outcomes and support educational success for local students.
Delaware currently has 40 school-based health centers across the state, with almost 75 percent of them located in New Castle County. Before this funding, Sussex County only had school-based health centers in one middle school and one elementary school.
The department said school-based health centers provide preventive, primary and behavioral health services where students spend much of their day, making it easier for children and families to access care at school. In addition to caring for students when they are sick, centers promote preventive care and help connect families with additional services when needed.
