Funding a Healthier Future: How Grant Funding is Empowering Innovative Healthcare Projects in Rural Eastern Washington Schools

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Better Health Together is pleased to announce the recipients of rural school-based healthcare awards and how they have used their funding to implement innovative school-based healthcare projects and address health-related social needs for students throughout Eastern Washington. You can learn more about the funding application process here.

In total, BHT was able to award the following:

  • Four $100,000 awards for school-based healthcare initiatives

  • 15 small awards in 10 different school districts ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 to meet health-related social needs

  • Total funds awarded: $490,722

 Read on to learn how schools used the awards to improve student health and safety.

Health-Related Social Needs Award Recipients

Almira School District

Almira School District used grant funds to purchase three Stop the Bleed Kits and three cabinets to be placed next to existing AED stations in hallways. They aim to enhance safety further by equipping each classroom with a kit and container for use during lockdowns or active shooter situations.

Chewelah School District

Chewelah School District used the grant funds to purchase Stop the Bleed Kits for all buildings in the district. Additionally, funds were allocated to replenish health and safety supplies in the emergency buckets located in each classroom across the district. These initiatives significantly enhance the district's emergency preparedness, ensuring the safety of both students and staff.

Colville School District

Colville School District used the grant funds to purchase AEDs for their athletic teams and facilities. Purchasing AEDs will help enhance the district's emergency preparedness, ensuring the safety of both students and staff.

Cusick School District

Cusick School District used the grant funds to address students' health-related needs, including purchasing clothing, shoes, sports/safety equipment, and personal hygiene products, and to remove barriers to participation when and where needed.

Nine Mile Falls School District

Nine Mile Falls School District used the grant funds to supply each classroom with an Emergency Backpack, which provides students and staff with crucial supplies like first-aid kits, food, water, and sanitation items during unexpected events. 

Newport School District

Newport School District used the grant funds to purchase Stop the Bleed Kits. This will help them meet their goal to be proactive in their efforts to have the supplies on hand that they need to serve their rural community in times of crisis.

Odessa School District

Odessa School District used the grant funds to partner with Odessa Health Clinic to offer in-school mental health services for K-12 students and their families. They also used resources from the grant to replace an aging washing machine and dryer that have been in service for 20 years. Investing in new equipment will promote cleanliness and hygiene, significantly improving the health of our students and families. A new washer and dryer will also support families since the nearest laundromat is 45 minutes away.

Orient School District

Orient School District used the grant funds to support purchasing a portable AED in the Orient School District/Orient Elementary School gym. Having adequate medical supplies for both emergent and daily school use is key to properly caring for students, staff, and the community. 

Reardan Middle and High School

Reardan Middle School and High School used the grant funds to expand the school district’s partnership with Clayful, a technology-based platform that allows students to connect with a mental health human coach in 60 seconds. The program expansion will enhance students’ overall health, both physical and mental while reducing absenteeism and enhancing their ability to thrive academically and socially.    

Ritzville Grade School

Ritzville Grade School used the grant funds to procure an array of specialized equipment and supplies that serve as the foundational elements for the Blended Classroom initiative at Ritzville Grade School and directly support students’ health-related social needs. These resources have been carefully selected to foster an inclusive, adaptable, and supportive learning environment that caters to the comprehensive needs of our diverse student population.

School-Based Healthcare Award Recipients

Lincoln Hospital and Clinics

Lincoln Hospital and Clinics is partnering with the Reardan School District to establish a school-based clinic. They will work with the district to meet the health care needs of vulnerable students by providing primary care to students who don’t have regular and routine access and addressing acute care needs when identified by the school nurse.

NEW Health

NEW Health is using their grant for a school-based mobile dental clinic to bring oral health care to low-income students in rural communities throughout the Tri-County region (Ferry, Stevens, and Pend Oreille Counties). They will work with school officials to determine the needs and timing for bringing the mobile clinic to school locations and will work with school staff to identify students most in need of dental care with the goal of being on-site at a partner school district at least one day a month during the 2024-2025 school year.

Ritzville School District

Ritzville School District is using funds to extend the presence of its school nurse to accommodate unprecedented and growing demands for care. This will allow the District to increase the school nurse’s time to five days a week and better meet demands associated with outbreaks, dietary restrictions, high-risk health conditions, and special needs.

Sprague School District

Sprague School District’s focus is on professional development and planning around Tier 1 systems of behavioral support. Using these funds, District staff will complete Safety-Care Crisis Prevention Training, collect data on student behavior, and work with a behavioral specialist to improve classroom management. The district aims to improve classroom behaviors, retain teachers and students, and create calmer, safer classrooms for all.