Grant School Board Moves To Oust Health Center

Public Comment at a board meeting in November of 2022 when the Health Center mural controversy made the national news

Late agenda addition gets board support

Update: Meeting to be held on Monday July 10th at the Grant Middle School Cafeteria beginning at 6pm
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By Ken De Laat

On Monday at  the sparsely attended  Grant School Board meeting with the Board President not in attendance, a motion that would close the doors of the Child and Adolescent Health Center was put forth by Board Member Rachel Gort as an action item. 
The motion passed 4-1 with one abstention. Gort,  Board VP Ken Thorne, Sabrina Veltkamp-Blok and Richard Vance voted in favor of severing ties with Family Health Care while Danette Obenauf abstained and Rob Schuitema voted against. Board President Neil Geers was not in attendance.
As a result the action would  end the relationship between Grant Public Schools and Family Health Care who have provided services at the Center for the past 12 years.

Last fall a small group of community members complained to the board about a student created mural situated at the Teen Center. The group  had issues with the mural’s depictions of gay and trans youth as well as some symbols they felt were promoting Satanism. Some at the time called for the closure of the Center.  At a board meeting during the controversy the vast majority of speakers during public comment supported the young artist who created the mural as well as expressing support for the Teen Center.
https://www.nearnorthnow.com/news/a-return-to-civility

A spokesperson for Family Health Care released this statement:
“Family Health Care was not given notice that the Board of Education would be discussing the contract regarding the school-based Child and Adolescent Health Center located within Grant Middle School. We are disappointed with the Board’s decision to end the contract within 90 days and how this will impact students and families in the Grant community. Family Health Care has been providing school-based health care in Grant since 2010. We will continue to provide services at the Grant Child and Adolescent Health Center until the contract officially expires. We also will provide services at our main clinic location at 11 N. Maple St. Family Health Care remains committed to our mission and vision of providing quality, integrated health care services that are accessible to all.”

Grant Superintendent Brett Zuver was apparently also blindsided by the move.
“ At our Board meeting Monday night there was a surprise motion made and passed by four GPS Board members to terminate the contract of the Child and Adolescent Health Center housed in one of our buildings.. Unfortunately, it will negatively impact hundreds of children and families in our community.”

We reached out to Family Health Care President and CEO Julie Tatko for a few questions.

CAHC has been in Grant schools since 2010. How many students availed themselves of the service the past 2 years?
Family Health Care served 658 students in 2021-2022. We count from October 1-Sept 30 (state fiscal year), so for 2022-2023 we have served 429 students to date and expect to reach that same number if we continue services into the fall.
 
What are the primary services offered?
1) Primary pediatric medical care, including well child visits, sports physicals, care for chronic conditions such as asthma. Students can visit our medical provider if they get sick while at school or injured. 2) Mental health services. We have a licensed master social worker who provides individual counseling to students, in person and via telehealth.
 
This came as a surprise. Was there concern before now? Were the issues raised by the board about meetings suspended during COVID restrictions, added expenses, space an ongoing issue?
We have not received any concerns or issues raised by the board apart from discussions about the student mural in the health center in the fall. Those concerns were resolved by the artist in January. Our agreement states that we will host meetings with the Community Advisory Council (CAC) two times each year, and we have been able to offer those. A board member attends those meetings, along with parents, school staff, and Family Health Care staff. Last fall the Michigan State Police asked us to cancel the CAC meeting due to concerns over safety. Most recently we held a CAC meeting in April. No concerns or issues were expressed then, or since that time.
 
Some of the objections have to do with rumors about services provided by the CAHC, i.e. gender affirming care, abortion referrals, etc.. Care to respond?
Per Michigan law, Family Health Care does not provide certain services in the school-based health center, including birth control, abortion referrals, and more. We are very clear about that in our communication with parents. We also stay in contact with parents whose kids are seen for services during the school day, so that the parents are informed about treatment their children received.
 
Is parental permission needed for treatment?
Yes. Only students who have parental consent can receive care at the health center.
 
What would be  the biggest loss for Grant students as well as the community from this action?
The school board’s decision will impact the families of more than 650 Grant students who rely on school-based health and mental health care services for their kids’ needs. Without these services, we expect more missed school days, lack of timely treatment for health issues, and lack of support for addressing mental health concerns, including increased suicide and depression risk.
 
Anything to say to the community?
We invite the community to show their support for the health center by contacting members of the school board at the GPS administration office: 148 East Elder Ave, Grant, MI 49327; or by email: https://www.grantps.net/Governing-Board. You can attend the GPS Board Meeting on July 10 to voice your support.

N3 Note: We have reached out to the School Board President who was not at the meeting and the Vice President who chaired the meeting where the action took place for comments. We will add those comments when received.

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