Health center goes online to connect schoolchildren with physicians

New telehealth platform allows kids to talk to providers while schools are closed

MIDDLETOWN — In response to the order that children across Connecticut be kept home during the COVID-19 state of emergency, the school-based health services branch of Community Health Center has expanded its medical and behavioral health services.

The new telehealth platform will allow thousands of children who were being treated at schoolbased clinics across the state to continue sessions with behavioral providers at home by phone or video visits, according to a press release.

The facility serves nearly 20,000 children at 176 unique health facilities around Connecticut, providing medical, behavioral and dental health services to students. More than 5,000 of those children receive behavioral health services with a trusted provider right in their schools, the release continued.

In the first week of operations, providers reached more than 1,800 students, with 776 visits done by video and 1,043 via phone, “giving these children direct access to their trusted clinicians at this confusing and stress-inducing time.” The initial response from families has been highly favorable.

There is mounting data that proves telebehavioral health visits are just as good, or even better in some cases than in-person visits, according to the agency. Clinicians can get a sense of what’s happening in the home environment, giving them a better context to address each unique student’s personal needs. Clinicians are available to families seven days a week on this platform.

CHC is continuing to accept new patients if they are already enrolled at a school where these services are provided, the release said. Visit SBHC1.com to enroll.

Hearst Connecticut Media file photo The Community Health Center is located at 675 Main St. in Middletown.