(Hendersonville, NC): Governor Beverly Purdue has issued a proclamation that sets aside February 19-25, 2012, as North Carolina School Community Health Alliance week.

The Governor states that school health centers “provide the physical and mental health care that is critical to the overall well-being of youth in North Carolina. Optimal physical and mental health of students leads to optimal academic achievement.” The centers also positively impact the economy by reducing emergency room visits, by decreasing parental absences from work, and by increasing early identification and treatment of disease, thus preventing more expensive treatment at a later date.

“Through our partnership with Henderson County Public Schools, BRCHS now has four school-based health centers (SBHCs) in Henderson County providing medical, dietary, and behavioral health services for youth and school faculty right where they are – at school,” said Dr. Paul Trani, Medical Director of the School Based Health Centers and BRCHS Pediatrician.  “Often times, we are providing a medical home for children who have no primary care provider.”

BRCHS operates health centers at Bruce Drysdale and Hillandale Elementary, Apple Valley Middle School and North Henderson High School to help ensure that children in Henderson County have access to regular check-ups, immunizations, diagnoses, management of chronic conditions, a place to turn for sudden illness or injury, mental health counseling, nutrition services and health education.

Staff from Blue Ridge will be offering free health screenings as well as educational programs at various schools in conjunction with NC School Community Health Alliance week. Also on the horizon, BRCHS will host its third annual “Are You Smarter Than a 5^th Grader?” special event on Thursday, March 29 at 6:30 p.m. at North Henderson High School. This special event serves as both a fundraiser and an awareness opportunity for Blue Ridge Community Health Services and their school health programs. For more information about BRCHS, School Based Health Centers or the “Are You Smarter Than a 5^th Grader” special event, contact Milton Butterworth at 233-2225 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

BRCHS has been serving Hendersonville and the surrounding communities for almost 50 years in an effort to provide high quality and affordable medical, dental and mental health care as well as promote health awareness/education.  If you would like more information about BRCHS, call 692-4289 ext. 2509; write to BRCHS at P. O. Box 5151, Hendersonville, NC  28793; or online at www.brchs.com or www.facebook.com/BRCHS.

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