September 1, 2009
GOVERNOR PATERSON, STATE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY ANNOUNCE $300,000 IN GRANTS TO FOUR SCHOOL-BASED CLINICS IN BROOKLYN
Funding Will Keep Four Clinics That Serve Six Public Schools in Brooklyn Open
Grants Ensure Health Care Services For Thousands of Students
Governor David A. Paterson, the State Senate and Assembly today announced $300,000 in grants to Long Island College Hospital (LICH) in Brooklyn to keep four school-based clinics open and operating for the new school year. The funding will help support health care services for thousands of students in the six public schools in Brooklyn served by the clinics.
“Improving access to quality health care for children in New York State is one of my highest priorities,” Governor Paterson said. “School-based health clinics play an important role in keeping children healthy and ready to learn. This additional funding will help keep these four school-based clinics open so that they can continue to deliver critical services to children in Brooklyn.”
Dominick Stanzione, FACHE, Interim President & Chief Restructuring Officer, Long Island College Hospital, said: “LICH thanks the elected officials and concerned citizens who were instrumental in securing New York State Department of Health assistance to operate the School Based Health Program for the 2009-2010 school year. These funds will allow LICH to continue to operate the health programs at the four schools for this additional school year.”
Governor Paterson, the New York State Senate, and the New York State Assembly will make the funding available and supplement the annual funding from the New York State Department of Health (DOH) for school-based clinics. The clinics operate in the Brooklyn School for Collaborative Studies, Middle School 51, Public School 38, and the School for Global Studies.
DOH Commissioner Richard F. Daines, M.D., said: “Through Governor Paterson’s leadership, we are pleased to be able to offer supplemental funding in this unique situation as LICH works to develop new partnerships to stabilize its future. School-based health clinics fill a critical need for children’s health care in New York State. They provide primary and preventive health services and health education to children who may otherwise go without care. With this additional funding, thousands of children in Brooklyn will continue to have access to these vital services.”
Senate President Pro Tempore Malcolm A. Smith said: “Supporting school based health care clinics enriches the lives of our students by providing them with access to regular health care services - keeping their minds and bodies healthy - allowing them to focus on their education. I commend Governor Paterson on his commitment to keeping New York’s children healthy by ensuring access to health care clinics in our schools and Senators Velmanette Montgomery and Daniel Squadron for their efforts on this cause.”
Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said: “I am very pleased that we are able to provide funding for these school based clinics. These health centers play an important role in providing primary and preventive care and health education to school-age children and adolescents. The funding will assist thousands of students in Brooklyn to receive the health services they require.”
Senator Velmanette Montgomery, Chair of the Senate Committee on Children and Families, said: “The grant from the Governor, coupled with funding support from the Senate and Assembly will enable LICH to continue operating School-Based Health Centers. The Centers deliver comprehensive primary medical care and mental health services, free-of-charge, in the school setting where youth of all ages spend the majority of their days.”
Senator Daniel Squadron said: “With only a week to go before school starts, today we're ensuring a healthier year for thousands of Brooklyn students. For so many, school-based health services make all the difference. That’s why we acted quickly to make sure the LICH clinics could continue to serve our schools and keep our children healthy and safe.”
Senator Eric Adams said: “I am pleased to see that Long Island College Hospital (LICH) has received a $300,000 grant dedicated to keeping four Brooklyn school-based health clinics open for the upcoming academic year. These clinics are effective vehicles for bringing preventive and primary care to medically under-served children and adolescents, and the termination of these programs would have had a disastrous effect on the health and well-being of students in Brooklyn. These clinics serve as the first line of defense against health threats like MRSA and H1N1 and are a vital part of the health and safety of our students, their teachers, and staff. This $300,000 grant, which will keep the clinics open for the 2009-2010 school year is money spent on our kids, their health, and their most important asset: their education.”
Assemblyman James Brennan said: “This is a great example of the partnership among the Governor and the leadership of the State Senate and the Assembly and the State Health Department coming together to assure the continuity of this vital community service.”
Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries said: “As a State representative for parents who rely on these in school health clinics for their child's primary care, as well as the parent of two children who attend a school featuring a LICH school-based clinic, I know firsthand that these programs are important to the health of our Brooklyn community. I am deeply gratified by Governor Paterson's decision to maintain this vital program and look forward to working with LICH to preserve the well-being of our communities and our community hospital.”
Assemblywoman Joan Millman said: “These clinics are the first line of defense for health threats such as MRSA and the H1N1 flu virus. In addition, they are cost-effective investments of public resources because they reduce emergency room visits and increase school attendance and performance. I want to acknowledge my Assembly colleagues and, especially, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver for recognizing the importance of these clinics.”
Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz said: “I want to thank the Governor for his keen understanding that these clinics not only heal and educate our kids, they also serve as the first line of defense against threats like the H1N1 flu, which will be back with a vengeance this fall. In this economic and epidemiological climate, their closing was unthinkable. My office called a meeting as soon as we heard about these cuts, and we all showed what partnership between the community, the private sector and all branches of government can do when we come together. I also commend our legislative leaders as well as Brooklyn Senators Montgomery, Adams, and Squadron, Assembly Members Brennan, Jeffries and especially the tenacious Joan Millman, for marshalling funds to keep these necessary clinics open. We thank Congress Members Velazquez and Clarke and Council Members de Blasio and Yassky for their efforts as well. Together we have ensured better health care for so many students and their families for the new school year and beyond.”
