U.S. Representative Kathy Castor announced today the award of $500,000 to Hillsborough County public schools for a school-based health center. The grant, which is authorized under the Affordable Care Act, will allow the school district to construct a health center to provide health services to children from economically distressed families in the USF area.

“Too many of our children lack access to a caring doctor or nurse,” Castor said.  “One of the best ways to reach children and keep them healthy is through our schools. Healthy children are better able to learn and succeed, and the Affordable Care Act provides resources to schools for much-needed school-based health centers.” Castor served on the committee that crafted the Affordable Care Act.

The school district operates a portable unit at Hunter’s Green Elementary School that is in disrepair and infested with termites.  The center serves students who come from the USF-area (sometimes known as “Suitcase City”) where almost 40 percent of those under the age of 18 live below the poverty line.

“The school-based health center grant supports the wellness and health of our children, and is a critical component of our mission of helping every child succeed,” Hillsborough School Superintendent Mary Ellen Elia said.  “We care about the overall well-being of each child and can provide health screenings, immunizations and more. We need the facilities and resources to do so, and this grant will help.”

“In the aftermath of the Newtown tragedy, we must continue to work together to provide schools with the mental health and other resources they need to protect our children,” Castor said.  “School-based health centers can be part of the equation.”

The Obama Administration expects to award $75 million for an estimated 150 grants across the country for FY2013.  Hillsborough’s $500,000 is the maximum amount able to be awarded under the provisions of School-Based Health Care initiative. The grant is a partnership with the school district to provide full funding for the costs associated with constructing the much-needed permanent building.

“Such grants also have a positive impact across our community by creating jobs in construction,” Castor said.