EDITORIAL: Bee Well clinic an asset for community

Published 1:00 pm Tuesday, August 16, 2022

Another school year is underway, but for many students, the path to academic success can face setbacks without access to basic health care. Fortunately, the local Bee Well clinic is helping to meet those medical needs and keep students in class where they can learn and thrive. 

The clinic is housed at the Early Learning Center and is available most weekdays offering primary care, Telehealth, behavioral health and school-based services. 

The school-based clinic provides care not only to students but staff, family members and even the outside community. Sometimes having a sick parent means having to miss school or stay at home for some students. Simply put — students can’t learn if they aren’t in class and students who don’t attend regularly are more likely to fall behind. 

Something as simple as asthma or pink eye shouldn’t keep a student out of school because it’s not addressed. 

Not being present puts many students at risk for falling behind academically and dropping out of school. The Bee Well clinic is here to help address some of the underlying causes of chronic absenteeism by helping students and family members get health issues addressed. 

Children can’t learn if they aren’t present and they can’t be present if they are dealing with illness — whether chronic or minor. Sometimes a run of the mild health issue prevents children from being able to come to school, particularly if their parents don’t have the resources or aren’t able to get them the information and care they need to get better.

According to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, chronically absent students (missing 10% of school days or more) in preschool, kindergarten, or first grade are less likely to read at grade level by third grade and four times more likely to drop out of school. Older students between grades 8 and 12 are more than seven times more likely to not finish school if they are habitually absent from school. 

Those who visit the new Bee Well clinic and have insurance will have that accessed for payment, while those who do not will be charged on a sliding fee scale.

For more information call 478-215-4009 or visit www.chcsga.org to schedule a visit. And be sure to tell others about this helpful resource. 

The Bee Well clinic helps eliminate barriers for many students and their families and helps ensure that they are healthy, present and prepared to learn.