The U.S. Health and Resource Services Administration (HRSA) awarded a grant of $199,995 to Capital Region Educational Service District 113 in partnership with Summit Pacific, Elma School District and Elma Family Dental. The group will team to implement a school-based telehealth program in Elma.

The program will serve 700 elementary school students, according to a statement from Summit Pacific spokeswoman Nichole Pas.

“Telehealth is a valuable tool to complement and expand a school’s capacity to meet a student’s healthcare needs,” read the statement. “Not only can telehealth help keep children healthy, but it can help keep them in school and their parents at work.

Summit Pacific’s Director of Innovation, Jennifer Brackeen, said, “Building a healthier community begins with our children. This grant will enable healthcare partners to look at innovative solutions so that we can develop strong connections for children to access healthcare services. Our focus is to help connect children to the care they need when they need it. “By enabling this access at Elma as a pilot we will learn how to best expand virtual school-based health services throughout the county.”

ESD 113’s Director of Research and Data Analysis, Todd Johnson, said, “Helping Elma elementary school students and families with equitable access to primary, dental, and mental healthcare and services is so needed.”

Of the 700 students, 70% qualify for free and reduced meals. The grant’s participants will bring community partners together to directly address the needs of the community’s children and help establish long-term healthy habits and health outcomes.