It is in response to these conditions that The Children’s Health Fund launched the Gulf Coast School Health Initiative to provide primary care services and health education through Mobile Medical Units (MMUs) located at schools in Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Medical care is being provided at school districts within the Gulf Coast on 38-foot, self-contained MMUs, which have examination rooms,
a nurse's station, and waiting and registration areas. Staff for the MMUs include: a medical director, a nurse practitioner, a project manager, a registered nurse, a patient information coordinator/community liaison, a social worker, a health educator , and a driver/field specialist.
CHF MMUs are equipped to provide:
- complete physical exams
- acute illness and injury care
- immunizations
- management of chronic illness
- health education and anticipatory guidance
- mental health evaluations
- counseling and social work services
- medications for uninsured patients
- case management
- referrals for health-related services
In addition to the clinical services, health educators will team up with teachers and school nurses to provide health education workshops and materials that focus on the needs of children living in hurricane-impacted communities on topics such as HIV, nutrition, asthma, and depression. The health workshops target different audiences, including parents, students, teachers, and social service agencies.
The Gulf Coast School Health Initiative is a partnership between
the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund and The Children’s Health Fund.
