The School-Based Clinic Program
Health care for children when they need it

School-based health clinics, or wellness centers, operated by Duke Community Health are located in four Durham Public Schools:

• George Watts Elementary
• Glenn Elementary
• EK Powe Elementary
• Southern High School

The goals of the wellness centers are to:

• Increase student access to primary care
• Respond to immediate health needs
• Preempt adverse health and educational outcomes, including student absences from school, unnecessary use of the emergency department, missed parental work hours and inadequate care. School-based clinics provide urgent as well as ongoing care for chronic conditions. They also offer a relationship that children often lack – a continuing relationship with a health care provider.

The wellness centers give children access to affordable medical and mental health services during convenient school hours. For students who suffer from chronic illnesses, managing their care and learning self-care skills can make an important difference in their overall health and quality of life.

Any student enrolled in the school can receive services at the school-based clinic regardless of ability to pay. For students who have a primary care provider, the school clinic will coordinate care. Elementary school wellness centers are open half-days, and the clinic at Southern High School is open full days. Twenty-four hour backup medical coverage is in place to serve enrollees when clinics are closed during school vacations, weekends, and school holidays.

Services provided include:

• Screening and exams for pre-kindergarten, sports and camp physicals and pre-employment exams
• Medical care for chronic health problems, such as asthma or diabetes
• Diagnosis of acute illnesses such as colds, fevers and rashes
• Screening exams to check vision and hearing
• Nutrition counseling
• On-site counseling to evaluate and treat emotional health needs with referrals to clinic-based or community providers if needed
• 24-hour backup coverage for evenings, weekends and school holidays: Triangle Family Practice serves George Watts Elementary School
• Referrals to specialists for injuries or illnesses that require additional consultation

Convenient, easy steps to begin services

Students receive care at a wellness center once their parent or guardian completes registration, parental consent, medical history and insurance forms.

Once enrolled, a student can be seen any time the center is open, without an appointment. The wellness center will file any insurance claims for students whose families have insurance. If families do not have insurance, the wellness center may charge a fee based on ability to pay. Staff can assist parents/guardians in completing forms for free/reduced care.

A dedicated staff that understands health and young people

Wellness centers are staffed by a family or pediatric nurse practitioner, part-time supervising physician and office manager. While most care can be handled in the clinic, staff can also arrange appointments with outside medical specialists as needed.

Parents or guardians are encouraged to visit the center.

Partners:

• Durham Public Schools: EK Powe Elementary, George Watts Elementary, Glenn Elementary, Southern High School
• Center for Child & Family Health
• Duke Children's Behavioral Health
• Triangle Family Practice
• Duke Division of Family Medicine
• Duke Community Health

For More Information:

Call us at 919-560-2555, or email poiri001@mc.duke.edu, for details on how to enroll your child.

The George Watts Elementary School Wellness Center is open Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. – Noon.

George Watts Elementary School Wellness Center
700 Watts Street
Durham, NC 27701
919-560-2555