Capstone awarded grant to expand school-based center for Jasper City Schools.

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Capstone awarded grant to expand school-based center for Jasper City Schools.

Beginning the 2022-2023 school year, Capstone Rural Health Center, in partnership with Jasper City Schools, opened a school-based health center on the campus of Jasper High School and Jasper Junior High School.

The goal of the location, called Viking Health, is to reduce disparities and improve access to care by increasing the number of young people receiving essential health care, including mental health services. Viking Health staff prioritize swift and efficient treatment to students and employees to get well quickly so they may return to school or work.

Viking Health is made possible by multiple funding partners. Capstone received multi-year funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). This grant was part of a $25 million investment nationally to expand access to care for students. Additional support is provided by the Walker Area Community Foundation and Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham.

Across the U.S. nearly 2,000 school-based health centers serve about 2 million children. However, there are fewer than 10 school-based health centers in Alabama. Capstone, along with its funding partners, are proud to be a part of expanding this essential resource in Alabama.

Viking Health is available to all students and employees of Jasper City Schools, and accepts all insured, underinsured, and uninsured patients. Students from all Jasper City Schools are welcome to be seen. For elementary and middle school students, the parent or guardian will need to follow the school’s check-out protocol and bring the child to Viking Health to be seen.

Viking Health is open each school day from 7:30am – 4:00pm. Appointments may be scheduled by calling 205-832-3489. However, appointments are not required to be seen.

Viking Health is staffed by a board-certified nurse practitioner, Heather Nunnelley, CRNP, in collaborative practice with a physician. The nurse practitioner can diagnose, treat, prescribe, and if needed, administer medication for most all common illnesses. Viking Health also has a laboratory where common in-house tests can be administered. There is a licensed counselor onsite for behavioral health services. Capstone also provides community and patient outreach, health education, and translation support.