Clinic increases access to health care at Evergreen School District

In the fall of 2019, the Evergreen School District began discussions with Greater Valley Health Center to open a school-based health clinic in the Evergreen School District.

After many discussions, a great deal of planning, and with the help of funding provided from Montana Healthcare Foundation (www.mthcf.org), Greater Valley Health Center and the Evergreen School District opened the Evergreen Cares Clinic in January 2021. Greater Valley is a federally qualified health center and was formerly known as Flathead Community Health Center.

Currently, the Evergreen Cares Clinic is open to staff, students, and students’ families and has the goal of expanding to serve more of the Evergreen community. With a separate entrance at the back of East Evergreen Elementary School, the clinic provides behavioral health and primary care medical services. All services are provided by licensed and qualified healthcare providers employed by Greater Valley Health Center.

Susan McEwen, FNP-C sees patients on Tuesdays and Thursdays and is passionate about the Evergreen school clinic.

“I have such a passion for working in the schools and making healthcare so easy for families to access,” she said. “The relationship we are able to have with these kids and letting them know we are here for them is the most rewarding part.”

The clinic accepts traditional health insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, and CHIP (Healthy Montana Kids) and also offers a Sliding Fee Discount Program for financially qualified families.

The Clinic offers many services including, but not limited to

Wellness Visits (including immunizations and sports physicals)

Lab draws

Rapid COVID, Strep, Mono, and Flu testing

Prescribing over the counter and prescription medications

Diagnosis and treatment of sudden conditions, including first aid

Monitoring and treatment of chronic medical needs

Psychiatry

Mental or behavioral health services, including screening, assessment, and counseling/treatment

Referrals for health services not provided at this clinic

Same day access for immediate dental needs at the Greater Valley’s downtown clinic

Insurance Enrollment Assistance: Medicaid, Healthy Montana Kids, Marketplace

Care Navigation and Community Resource Coordination

Discounted Pharmaceutical Program for Greater Valley patients via Sykes Pharmacy, which is owned by Greater Valley Health Center

The Evergreen Cares Clinic is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. and on the second and fourth Mondays from 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Dr. Andrew Parsons provides both medical and psychiatry services for students twice per month on Mondays. McEwen provides medical services two days per week.

East Evergreen Elementary School counselor Michelle Mitchell has enjoyed having access to “a real doctor’s office” at school, as she explains that it is “really convenient, I can be seen quickly by a qualified medical provider, I don’t have to miss work, and the staff are friendly and knowledgeable. I really appreciate having access to medical care while at work.” Many parents and guardians have also commented on how helpful it is to be able to have their children receive their annual sports physicals and other routine medical care at school.

Tamara Williams, Evergreen School Board Chair, values the services provided by the Greater Valley Health Center as well.

“This center not only provides care to our students and staff, but it supports our Evergreen Community as well, potentially providing care and support to individuals and families that may not have access to medical or mental health care,” she said. “Student attendance is vitally important to academic achievement, and our on-campus health center is playing a role in helping our district decrease student absences. Our students may no longer have to miss school and parents no longer have to miss work to provide their children with healthcare. The Evergreen Cares Clinic represents an incredible example of the scope of services Evergreen School District provides our students, families, and community.”

In addition to grant support from Montana Healthcare Foundation, the school-based health program has also developed multiple community partnerships and has received financial and in-kind donations. The clinic has received funding from Flathead Electric Cooperative’s Roundup for Safety Program to purchase an EKG machine for the clinic. ImagineIF Libraries provides books at no cost for students to choose after their appointments. Costco and Flathead Food Bank provide food resources at the Clinic for interested families. Sportsman & Ski Haus, Rocky Mountain Outfitters, and Greater Valley Health Center all donated water bottles for students who do not have access to one for school. The Evergreen Cares Clinic is truly a community partnership effort, and the Evergreen School District is very grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this strong and growing partnership.

In January, 2023, the Evergreen School District added a School and Health Community Liaison, a position that is also funded by a separate grant awarded by Montana Healthcare Foundation. Our School and Health Community Liaison works closely with district staff and Greater Valley’s Evergreen Cares Clinic staff to connect students and families with additional health and school services offered in the District, including access to Evergreen Cares Clinic, mental health, and/or other community services such as housing, clothing, and food. With more consistent utilization of services, we have already seen improved outcomes for students in overall health and mental well-being as well as attendance, behavioral, and academic success, all of which help families better support their students.

We know that a healthy school promotes a healthy community, and we continue to work to ensure that students and their families have access to the Clinic and other services to better support our students and families.

Laurie Barron is the Superintendent of Evergreen School District.