Roseland Children's Health Center

[Roseland Children's Health Center]
[history graphic]

[photo of building construction] The idea that grew to become the Roseland Children's Health Center began with a group of parents, teachers, principals and school superintendents from the Bellevue, Roseland and Wright School Districts in 1993. They saw first hand that many of the children who were performing poorly in school were the same children who were often absent due to chronic asthma and untreated infections, or who suffered from the effects of poor nutrition such as iron deficiency anemia and severe dental caries.

The group took its concerns and its desire for improved health care for these children and partnered with community agencies, health care providers and local businesses to form the Healthy Start Consortium. Soon, the word went out to the community that a clinic building would be needed to provide health services to the local school children.

The Health Center was built entirely by volunteers under the direction of Stan Wahl, a local contractor, with materials donated by community businesses. Mr. Wahl was able to secure over 100 individuals and/or businesses who donated in-kind services and materials to complete the building. Several of the volunteers were from the Coast Guard Station at Two Rock and many weekends were spent - rain or shine - getting the building completed.

At its completion, the Health Center facility was valued at over $100,000. The donated labor and materials were estimated to exceed $80,000. The partnership obtained a grant for $25,000 from a local hospital to complete the finishing touches. The Health Center now houses a reception area, a waiting room, three exam rooms, a laboratory, an office and a health education resource center.

Staffing for the Health Center was at first partially funded by a two-year state Healthy Start grant and by local foundations. About half of the current funding comes from third party reimbursements and fees (primarily Medi-Cal, CHDP, California Kids, and Healthy Families). The remaining half is raised every year through grants and fundraisers. In addition, a core group of local pediatricians and nurses donate many hours of service each year.