By Community Health & Wellness Partners

As families prepare for another school year, backpacks, school supplies and new schedules often take center stage. But one of the most important items on any back-to-school checklist is to make sure your child is healthy, prepared and ready to learn.

Community Health & Wellness Partners (CHWP) encourages families to take advantage of the many healthcare services available through the School-Based Health Centers (SBHCs), conveniently located within local schools throughout Logan County (Benjamin Logan, Indian Lake and Riverside). These centers make it easier than ever for students and families to access quality healthcare without the barriers of missed work, missed class time or lengthy travel.

Check Two Important Tasks Off Your List in One Visit

Before the school year begins, many students need annual well-child exams and sports physicals. The good news? At CHWP, both can often be completed during one convenient appointment.

A well-child visit goes beyond meeting school requirements. It allows healthcare providers to monitor growth and development, review nutrition and physical activity, update immunizations, discuss mental and emotional well-being, and identify concerns before they become larger health issues.

If your child plans to participate in school athletics, that same visit can often include their required sports physical, saving families both time and additional appointments.

Vaccine Clinics Make Back-to-School Easier

CHWP will once again offer back-to-school vaccine clinics to help families prepare for the new school year. Parents can have peace of mind knowing they don't need to keep track of changing school vaccine requirements on their own.

Your School-Based Health Center team can access student immunization records and will guide families through exactly what is needed based on their child's age and school requirements.

If a student is due for vaccinations, the team will explain the next steps and help make the process as simple and stress-free as possible. It's one less thing for busy parents to worry about during an already hectic season.

Behavioral Health: Support for Every Student

The transition back to school can bring social pressure, academic stress and anxiety for many students, and mental health is just as important to a successful school year as physical health.

CHWP's behavioral health team, available through your SBHC, offers a range of services to meet students where they are, including individual counseling, psychiatry, and group therapy sessions.

Group therapy in particular gives young people a supportive space to build coping skills alongside peers facing similar challenges, often making mental health support feel less isolating than one-on-one care alone. Having these options available right at school helps students build resilience before stressors pile up.

Pharmacy Services That Fit Your Family's Schedule

CHWP also makes managing prescriptions easier for busy families.

Prescriptions for every member of your household, not just students, can be filled through CHWP Pharmacy and delivered directly to your child's School-Based Health Center for convenient pickup. Whether it's a daily medication or a new prescription following a medical visit, families can save an extra stop while knowing their medications are handled by a trusted local healthcare team.

A Healthy School Year Starts Together

CHWP's School-Based Health Centers offer much more than occasional sick visits. From primary medical care, behavioral health support, preventive dental services, and more, they are designed to eliminate barriers to care while helping students stay healthy, attend class consistently, and perform their best both inside and outside the classroom.

As you attend your school's Open House this year, take a few minutes to introduce yourself to your School-Based Health Center team. Learn about the services available, ask questions, and discover how CHWP can partner with your family throughout the entire school year.

Because when healthcare is convenient, connected and centered around the whole child, everyone benefits, from students and parents to teachers and the entire community.

To learn more about Community Health & Wellness Partners School-Based Health Centers, visit CHWPcares.org/sbhc or call 937-599-1411.■