February is National School-Based Health Care Awareness Month, a time to recognize the many positive effects that clinics located in school settings have on students’ health. In addition to providing services, these clinics also improve attendance and raise the school’s overall health profile.

The Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County (DOH-Pinellas) staffs four such clinics in high schools located in underserved communities. With funding from the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas and the cooperation of Pinellas County Schools and the Suncoast Center, it provides no-cost services at these locations:

• Northeast High School
• Boca Ciega High School
• Gibbs High School
• Pinellas Park High School

DOH-Pinellas and its community partners provide a variety of services to the students during the school day. Physicals, medical assessments, screenings and education are just some of the services students can access at no cost.

Pinellas’ school-based clinics don’t go on vacation when schools are closed for the summer, either. School and sports physicals are offered at no cost to prepare students for the coming year.

For information about DOH-Pinellas, go to www.PinellasHealth.com or call (727) 824-6900.

About the Florida Department of Health

The department works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.