ESCONDIDO, Calif. (September 21, 2022) – Neighborhood Healthcare, a regional Federally Qualified Health Center providing a wide range of health services, announced today the launch of its behavioral health mobile services program with the Escondido Union High School District.
The initiative improves student access to such services through a mobile health center vehicle at Del Lago Academy, San Pasqual High, Escondido High, Valley High and Orange Glen High Schools.
“Bringing this program to the schools eliminates barriers to accessing care, for example transportation, insurance, or time in a busy schedule to attend doctor appointments,” said Gabriel Rodarte, MD, Behavioral Health Medical Director at Neighborhood Healthcare. “We will do so in a safe and supportive environment and are grateful to UnitedHealthcare and other organizations that provided the grants to support these efforts that align with our stated mission to deliver quality, compassionate, whole-person care to everyone regardless of circumstance.”
The mobile health center vehicle will be on the campuses weekly. Both students and parents will have access to educational resources through the school’s website and QR codes. Licensed therapists will provide counseling with the full support of the Behavioral Health Department should any student need enhanced care.
“We recognize the importance of supporting our student’s mental health and were so pleased to open Wellness Center spaces on our three comprehensive high school campuses last year,” said Escondido Union High School District Superintendent Anne Staffieri, Ph.D. “This partnership with Neighborhood Healthcare allows us to provide additional behavioral health supports to even more students in our district. Access to behavioral health services is especially important for our community as nearly 80 percent of students in our district are either homeless, foster youth, or of low socio-economic status.”
The behavioral health mobile services program at the Escondido High School District’s campuses will cost approximately $720,000. The funding for this initiative came in part from:
- Neighborhood Healthcare’s 2021 fundraising gala
- UnitedHealthcare
- The San Diego County Board of Supervisors
- The US Health Resources and Services Administration
About Neighborhood Healthcare
Neighborhood Healthcare provides quality, compassionate, whole-person care to everyone, regardless of their circumstance, throughout San Diego and Riverside Counties. We go above and beyond in serving those in need with high integrity, professionalism, and in the spirit of collaboration, just as we did when founded more than 50 years ago. In doing so, we dedicate ourselves to improving community health so everyone can live happy and healthy lives.
About Escondido Union High School District
The Escondido Union High School District has empowered students to graduate prepared for college, career, and life through excellence in learning for more than 125 years. The district serves nearly 7,000 students across five high schools including: Escondido, Orange Glen, and San Pasqual, Del Lago Academy and Valley; as well as the Escondido Adult School. More than 900 staff members are employed by Escondido Union High School District, which offers more than 180 courses, including nationally recognized Advanced Placement courses, College & Career Technical Education, Independent Study, after school enrichment, career exploration, STEM opportunities, and more.