Hirono Announces Over $1 Million in Funding to School-Based Health Centers in Hawaii
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), awarded $1,050,000 to Hawaii for school-based health centers. This funding is being awarded to three community health centers in Hawaii to create new, and expand existing, school-based health centers, which will provide mental health care and services for students.
“Building mental health care capacity in Hawaii’s schools is crucial in order to expand access to mental and physical health services and meet students’ psychological needs,” said Senator Hirono. “This funding will help to prioritize our youth’s emotional health and ensure that the next generation is receiving the support they need to grow into healthy adults.”
The most recent Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that in 2021, 42% of high school students experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness and 22% of high school students seriously considered attempting suicide in 2021. From 2011 to 2021, nearly all indicators of poor psychological health and behaviors have increased, indicating a critical need for action on youth mental health.
“Young people need easy, readily accessible ways to get the mental health support they need when they need it,” said HRSA Administrator Carole Johnson. “That’s why the Health Resources and Services Administration is investing in increasing mental health care and support in schools and in helping pediatricians meet the mental health needs of their young patients. We will continue to use our community-based programs to both expand access to care and grow the behavioral health care workforce necessary to deliver that care.”
This funding is part of a larger $25 million being distributed among 77 HRSA-funded health centers across the country. In Hawaii, this funding being awarded to:
- Hana Health,
- West Hawaii Community Health Center Inc., and
- Malama I Ke Ola – Community Clinic of Maui
“The HRSA grant will enable Hana Health to better serve the children and adolescents of Hana where they spend most of their day,” said Cheryl Vasconcellos, Executive Director of Hana Health. “We will be able to expand primary care and behavioral health services for the primarily Native Hawaiian school population and create a workforce pipeline for our future health care workers.”
“Hawaii Island Community Health Center is honored to receive the HRSA School Based Service Site Expansion grant which will allow us to embed primary health care services at Konawaena High School in west Hawaii, and Kalaniaole Elementary and Intermediate School in east Hawaii,” said Richard Taaffe, CEO of Hawaii Island Community Health Center. “These new service sites, on campus, will allow us to improve access to health care services for at-risk youth, increase school attendance, help eligible students enroll in health insurance, connect students' family members with health coverage, build local partnerships to support expanded health services, and create a positive school climate that fosters learning.”
“Based on a student needs assessment conducted in 2022 by Malama I Ke Ola Health Center, mental health and social emotional learning have been greatly impacted throughout the pandemic,” said Dr. John Vaz, CEO of Malama I Ke Ola. “It is anticipated to further decline as the community enters the recovery phase of the devastating Maui Wildfires Disaster. Receiving the HRSA School-Based Service Expansion Grant enables the necessary step toward continued stabilization, support and healing for the students, teachers and parents of Maui Island as we work toward the implementation of a School Based Health Center.”
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