GREAT FALLS – Dennis Chapman, a junior at Great Falls High School, has used an Alluvion Health school-based health clinic since January.
“It just helps me out a lot,” Chapman said. He likes the program because he does not have to worry about transportation to and from his appointment. He can walk from school or home.
But Chapman said the program assists with more than just his medical needs as one staff member is trying to help him get his own apartment.
“She is trying to get me set up on my feet,” he said.
Alluvion Health’s mission is to create and inspire others to live a healthier life, according to officials. The school-based health centers give Cascade County students early access to health services.
The program has clinics in Paris Gibson Education Center, Giant Springs Elementary School, and Belt Public Schools. Health officials also provide behavioral health services to all secondary schools in Great Falls.
School-based health director Mallory Wood said early access is important because it can have long-term impacts on students.
One of the main goals is determining a person is all right when they visit one of the clinics.
“Part of that is ensuring that they have safety at home, access to healthy food,” Wood said. “That they have access to transportation in addition to all the medical care that is provided.”
Wood added officials determine where there is need in the community and then discuss expanding to fill that gap. She said school-based services will move into more elementary schools next year to provide behavioral health options.
Alluvion Health will open a clinic in the new Longfellow Elementary School in the fall of 2020.
The services are no longer just for students, however. The public can now receive medical services at the school-based clinics.
“Our mission is to create and inspire healthier lives so if we can bring the service to a community that otherwise does not have a service, that is our goal,” Wood said.
If you would like to make an appointment at one of the school-based clinics, you can call (406)454-6973.
Alluvion Health has a central location at 601 1st Avenue North. You can read more about the services Alluvion Health offers here.
Reporting by Margaret DeMarco for MTN News
