Ashtabula, Ohio – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine visited Huron Primary School in Ashtabula last week to mark the official opening of a new school-based health clinic serving students across the Ashtabula City School District. The clinic was made possible by a $330,000 grant from the governor’s Appalachian Children’s Health Initiative.
The newly launched facility, developed in partnership with the Ashtabula Regional Medical Center, is designed to provide a broad range of services, including well care, acute care, behavioral health support, and immunizations. These services will be available directly on school grounds, making healthcare more accessible for students and their families.
“This new clinic proves that when we invest in our schools, we’re investing in the strength and health of our communities as a whole,” said Governor DeWine. “Together, we are proving what’s possible when we put our children and families first.”
The school-based model has been praised for reducing long-standing barriers to care in underserved areas. Studies have shown that students with access to onsite health services are more likely to receive preventive care, manage chronic conditions, and perform better in school. In addition, behavioral health resources within schools are increasingly viewed as critical in addressing youth mental health needs.
The $330,000 in funding for the clinic is part of a larger investment under the Appalachian Children’s Health Initiative, which has provided more than $64 million toward improving healthcare access in Ohio’s Appalachian region. The initiative supports the creation and expansion of school and community health clinics, while also funding healthcare workforce development programs to build a sustainable system of care for the future.
So far, 28 projects have received funding through the initiative. These projects are expected to impact approximately 61,000 students and reach an estimated 375,000 residents in 20 Appalachian counties.
The Appalachian Children’s Health Initiative operates within the broader Appalachian Community Grant Program, a $500 million effort aimed at revitalizing Ohio’s 32-county Appalachian region. This sweeping investment was initiated by Governor DeWine and supported by the Ohio General Assembly in 2022.
With the opening of the Ashtabula school-based clinic, local leaders and health providers hope to create a long-term positive impact on community wellness and student achievement. The clinic represents not just a new building, but a deeper commitment to the well-being of Ohio’s children and families.
