Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Wallowa County chieftain. (Enterprise, Wallowa County, Or.) 1943-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 23, 2015)
Wallowa County Chieftain wallowa.com Advertisement September 23, 2015 A7 PARENTS: Be Educated When Considering A SBHC or Private Clinic in Schools Dear Community Members of Wallowa County, There has been a great deal of concern surrounding a potential School Based Health Center [SBHC] and the Enterprise School in which it’s to be implemented. Both Theresa Russell-FNP, provider and owner of Olive Branch Family Health, Inc. and myself – Polly DeVore, Director of Olive Branch Family Health, Inc. have been asked numerous times from Community Members “what we think, how we feel, and what does it all mean” … having a SBHC or private clinic in our schools? To answer some of the many questions that has been asked of us, we believe the following will clarify a great deal regarding where we stand on this issue. ➢ Whether it is a SBHC that is State Certified or a “private clinic” that is funded from Federal Grant money obtained thru the Federally Qualified Health Center grant that was recently awarded to Winding Waters Medical Clinic – we believe either form of a Clinic embedded within a public school is wrong. ➢ We do not believe that children’s access to care is an issue in Wallowa County where care is accessible within blocks of the Enterprise School. Wallowa County is not an ex- ample in which students have to travel huge distances to access mental, medical, dental or counseling services. A perfect example of that would be Mitchell, OR (located in Wheeler County) - the first Frontier SBHC that truly demonstrates the best argument for a SBHC. We would strongly encourage you to read about Wheeler County, their Health District, and lack of available care and ask yourself if Wallowa County demonstrates this same need. The answer is No, it does not. Website: http://asherhealth.net/achcwheeler.html ➢ We believe that the “investment” of our tax payers’ dollars that fund these grant programs need to address the needs of “many” not just a select few “under-served students”. “Under-served students” seems to have become the platform that some are trying to use to champion a clinic into Enterprise School. We would point out that there are currently programs in place that should be utilized for any and all children needing care. ➢ We encourage you to ask yourself, “What do you believe your role is as a parent?” Once you have answered that question internally; then ask yourself, “Do those answers reflect the beliefs reflected of the proposed School Clinic?” Or do you find that your rights as the parent are being infringed upon? We believe they are. We believe as the parent, you ultimately know what is best for you child and that should be respected. ➢ We believe there are Conflicts of Interest that should be disclosed to the public. In this situation where a Private Clinic is attempting to open within a Public School, all parties that serve on Boards and/or Committees should disclose potential Conflicts of Interest. If the public has no concern with those individuals having the authority to make the ultimate decision regarding the clinic opening in the Public School, then that is fine – it has been disclosed. At this point it doesn’t appear that full disclosure has happened? Of the Enterprise School Board, 4 out of 5 members have the following connections and possible conflicts: 1) Serving on the School Board and Winding Waters Board of Directors; 2) School Board member having a spouse serving on Winding Waters Board of Directors; 3) Directly employed by Winding Waters Clinic; 4) Family member formerly employed by Winding Waters Clinic. The Wallowa County Board of Commissioners, who are tasked with and serve a role in this matter also have possible Conflicts of Interest. These possible conflicts should be disclosed in that two of three Commissioners have family ties to Winding Waters Clinic. Simply, for transparency and public understanding, all possible conflicts should be disclosed. Here is a starting point for researching public official ethical standards and conflicts of interest in the State of Oregon: http://www.oregon.gov/OGEC/docs/Public_Official_Guide/2010%20Guide%20for%20Public%20Officials.pdf In summary, all Clinics provide great care for our children. At Olive Branch Family Health, we believe the family unit is the strongest single asset for any child in addition to social support. We see these assets available in our communities and believe parents should be in control of their children’s education and healthcare. You have elected your School Board Members and County Commissioners; ask them to listen to your concerns regarding your children. Be involved and educate yourself to ensure the best for our communities and our children. Sincerely and Respectfully, Polly DeVore, Director • Theresa Russell, FNP / Owner Olive Branch Family Health, Inc. Dear Wallowa County Community, We as providers of Mountain View Medical Group are concerned about the proposed School Based Health Clinic for Enterprise School District and its potential negative implications for our community. Housing a School Based Health Clinic in our local Enterprise School raises concern about the governmental regulations and requirements that an SBHC inherently brings to our community and the liability of an SBHC on the school district. It also fragments the medical care of these children from their primary care provider in their Primary Care Medical Home, which is against all of the recommendations for engaging children, adolescents, and their families in all aspects of their health care. If there is concern about a population of underserved children who are not having their medical, dental, and mental health issues addressed appropriately, then we as Primary Care Providers should be contacted in order to help facilitate providing community resources needed. All children and adolescents have health care coverage through the Healthy Kids initiative and therefore need to be seeing their regular providers at least yearly for "Well Child/Adolescent" visits as well as their dental providers for regular cleanings and dental check ups. We are sure that we can provide care to the high risk and underserved children and adolescents, working with their families to engage them with the community resources needed. Respectfully, Dr. Boyd, Dr. Caine, Dr. Sheahan, and Traci Frye, FNP Members of the Enterprise Community and Beyond: Bureaucrats in Salem are seeking access to the children of Enterprise through a proposed health clinic on school property. No age restrictions exist for students to get confidential birth control, morning after pills, condoms and abortion referral services and all other “reproductive health” services. Once your child turns 15 they can get any and all forms of mental, medical or counseling services - all without parent’s permission. These services will be marketed and promoted to your child at the Enterprise School. A School-Based Health Center (SBHC) and/or a private clinic on school premises have unprecedented access to your children’s minds and bodies. School districts lose local control over what is happening to students while on the school premises, or off campus with the mandated referrals. SBHCs are businesses operating within a school district with no accountability to the school board, administration, parents or the community. School district officials are under the illusion that they can design their own SBHC to “fit the values of their community”. This is misleading and untrue. In order to receive funding, SBHCs must follow Oregon Health Authority's Oregon SBHCs Standards for Certification: http://public.health.oregon.gov/HealthyPeopleFamilies/Youth/HealthSchool/SchoolBasedHealthCenters/Pages/certification.aspx If “State Certification” is not pursued and official designation of SBHC is not obtained this is still a matter of a private clinic on the school premises acting as a conduit to get kids. There are laws that the “clinic” is obligated to follow when using Federal and/or State money and services that must be offered and rendered are still the same. Oregon SBHCs, after nearly 20 years, have failed to show empirical evidence to support their claims of lower absenteeism, improved academic outcomes, or increased graduation rates. Ironically, Interim Director Tammy Alexander's of the Oregon School Based Health Alliance admitted in March 2015 that there are no Oregon studies that show SBHCs have accomplished any of these goals. In the meantime, millions of dollars are being siphoned out of Oregon classrooms to finance SBHCs. YOU have the final authority to decide what is best for your child and have the right to expect full disclosure of any and all services, content, and materials disseminated to your child while at school. SBHCs intrude on your legal rights and your ability to be the ultimate decision-maker for your child. Attend the Community Meeting at Cloverleaf Hall October 1st, 7-9pm Lori Porter, MAT, MBA Director, Parents' Rights in Education Visit: www.ParentsRightsInEd.net Email: info@ParentsRightsInEd.net PO Box 7364, Beaverton, OR 97007