29 April 2022

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Congressmen and Montefiore win federal funding for NYC school health

Katherine E. Pfaff

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Community health system, Montefiore Medicine, and Congressmen Adriano Espaillat and Ritchie Torres garnered $3.3 million in federal funding for the Montefiore School Health Program (MSHP), which provides care for about 44,000 kids in New York City’s Bronx and other neighborhoods. MSHP provides medical care, eye care, dental care, and counseling to children from before kindergarten to 12th grade. 

The federal dollars are planned to be used to improve digital infrastructure and allow for broadband access to 99 schools as well as kids and parents to telehealth and primary care. "Congressmen Adriano Espaillat and Ritchie Torres fought hard and delivered in a big way for this program and this community. They know well that the children of The Bronx are the future of The Bronx," said Philip O. Ozuah, MD, PhD, president and chief executive officer of Montefiore Medicine.

About a quarter to a third of students who use MHSP have chronic conditions that could keep them attending school. With care from MSHP, those children are 40% less likely to miss school or leave early due to illness, according to the company. At the same time, parents missed less work and trips to the hospital or ED were cut in half.

"This funding is transforming healthcare delivery in the highest-need areas of The Bronx — the increase in broadband and Wi-Fi connectivity will ensure nurses can access student health records quickly and that parents can advocate on their child's behalf without having to leave work," said Representative, Adriano Espaillat. "Thanks to the decades-long commitment of Montefiore, 44,000 children — one of whom will likely take my place someday — will have free access to state-of-the-art healthcare services right at their school."

Source:  https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/congressmen-espaillat-and-torres-deliver-more-than-3-3-million-to-the-montefiore-school-health-program-301525399.html