XENIA — Personnel representing Warner Middle School’s school-based health center came to Xenia Community School’s (XCS) board of education meeting Monday to present the latest information on their new social, behavioral, and mental health initiatives.
Xenia Community Schools Health Services, which has partnered with Dayton Children’s Hospital, scheduled the presentation to discuss the latest in student health care at Warner’s school-based health clinic.
Dianna Alliod, director of special education and pupil personnel; Darla Gray, XCS licensed practical nurse and team lead for XCS Family integrated Student Health Committee, and Dina Thurman, Dayton Children’s pediatric nurse practitioner, educated those in attendance about the latest programs/goals of Nationwide Children’s Hospital (NCH) School Health Learning Collaborative.
According to the school-based health team, following a nine-month planning period, XCS received $100,000 in funding from NCH and over $40,000 from Dayton Children’s Hospital. The speakers shared that over the last nine months, the new clinic utilized NCH’s expertise in various models of school-based care.
Clinic staff stated there has been 190 student clinic visits and 15 staff members have sought treatment for a child in their care. New initiatives include:
Signs of Suicide (SOS) Program which will include: Evidence-based and school-based suicide prevention program for middle and high school students; students will identify signs and symptoms of depression and a safe response; and encourages students to seek help for themselves or a friend.
Positive Parenting Program (Triple P): Evidence-based prevention program for parents and provides parents simple and practical strategies to help them build strong, healthy relationships, confidently manage their children’s behavior and prevent problems developing.
The superintendent and school board members expressed their gratitude to the school-based health center team and thanked them for their dedication to the students.
“We are fortunate to have this facility to offer to our students and are grateful to have the health care team’s expertise,” said Superintendent Dr. Gabe Lofton.
