CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — A $50,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Public Health will go towards planning a health center to be based in the Champaign School District.

Promise Healthcare and Champaign Unit 4 Schools expect to complete project planning by the end of the year. They will look at what resources are most in-demand and what operational needs will best serve the Unit 4 community.

“School-based health centers are an excellent tool for schools to address health equity issues, and school-based health centers are linked to fewer class absences,” Promise Healthcare CEO Jennifer Henry said. “We are excited to engage in this partnership with Champaign Unit 4 Schools to develop a school-based health center as it aligns with our mission to improve the health and well-being of the diverse communities we serve by providing high-quality, equitable
healthcare to people of all ages.”

In October 2023, Promise Healthcare was granted $350,000 to establish a health clinic within the Rantoul School District. They also have school-based health centers in Urbana.

“We are excited about the opportunity to partner with Promise Healthcare. This new partnership will bring increased access to vital care,” Superintendent Dr. Shelia Boozer said. “Many of our students and families lack access to healthcare for various reasons, so a school-based center removes some of those barriers to bring healthcare directly to them.”

For more information on Promise Health, visit their website at www.promisehealth.org.

Promise Healthcare currently operates clinics at 821 South Neil Street, Frances Nelson at 819 Bloomington Road in Champaign, and the Urbana School Health Center site at the Urbana High School campus.