Vincent, Ohio – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine visited Washington County to mark a major step in school-based healthcare with the grand opening of the Warrior Care Clinic in the Warren Local School District. Built with funding from a $1.3 million grant through Governor DeWine’s Appalachian Children’s Health Initiative, the new clinic is designed to make medical and behavioral health services more accessible to students, staff, and families, while also remaining open to the broader public.
“This effort was born out of our commitment to ensuring every child in Ohio’s Appalachian region has the resources they need to live up to their God-given potential,” said Governor DeWine. “Every child should have the same ability to see a doctor, get well, and get back to learning.”
Improving Access to Healthcare for Students and Families
The Warrior Care Clinic, in partnership with Hopewell Health Centers, will provide primary healthcare and behavioral health support within the school district. Research shows that school-based healthcare reduces barriers for students and families by cutting down on travel and financial costs, leading to healthier outcomes and stronger academic performance.
The clinic is part of a larger commitment by the Appalachian Children’s Health Initiative, which has already invested more than $64 million to establish or expand community and school-based health centers and launch workforce development programs focused on healthcare. The initiative is expected to benefit more than 61,000 students and 375,000 residents across 20 counties in the Appalachian region.
Part of a Broader Regional Investment
This health-focused effort falls under the Appalachian Community Grant Program, which has pledged $500 million to strengthen Ohio’s 32-county Appalachian region. Initiated by Governor DeWine with support from the Ohio General Assembly in 2022, the program represents one of the largest commitments ever made to improve the quality of life in Appalachian Ohio.
For the Warren Local School District, the opening of the Warrior Care Clinic is not just about healthcare—it is about ensuring that students can remain healthy, engaged, and ready to learn, while families gain a trusted community resource that will serve the region for years to come.
