News and press releases

PORTLAND, Oregon—Today, CareOregon announced investing $250,000 in the Clackamas County School-Based Health Center program. Funds will support staffing at two new school-based health centers in North Clackamas School District.

“CareOregon and Clackamas County have worked together for decades,” said Robert McConville Vice President of CareOregon Metro, “This partnership runs deep and is built on our common commitment to serving our community’s health. At a time when many families are struggling to meet their basic needs, increasing access to no-cost health services at school is one way we are partnering with community to remove barriers so all families can be as healthy as possible. We’re proud to support Clackamas County and North Clackamas School District open these new clinics.”

The new health clinics are opening this fall at Adrienne C. Nelson High School and the newly renovated Clackamas High School, both located in the growing Happy Valley area. North Clackamas Schools now has one clinic in each of its four high schools. 

The clinics provide no-cost pediatric health services for K-12 aged youth in Clackamas County, regardless of insurance or immigration status. Services include physical health screenings and routine care, mental health services, and teeth cleanings from a dental hygienist.

“Our young people are in need of health and wellness care after nearly two years of delayed or cancelled visits, as well as ongoing care that is accessible and specializes in the health care needs of the kindergarten through 12^th grade population,” said Carol Kepp, RN, Operations Manager of Clackamas County Health Center’s Pediatric Clinics.

“This generous grant from our partner CareOregon will help us make a significant difference in the services we offer families as their school-aged children return to in-person learning,” Kepp said. “We are grateful to CareOregon and North Clackamas School District for providing funding for this opportunity to consistently serve the physical, mental and dental health care needs of the children in our school communities during these uncertain times,” said Kepp.

The clinics serve all students and bill insurance if possible—there is no cost to students and their families for services.

Clinic hours:

Adrienne C. Nelson High School

Hours: Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Phone: 503-722-6877

Clackamas High School

Hours: Opening December 2021

Phone: 503-722-6885

To learn more about the county’s School Based Health Centers and to make an appointment, visit the Health Centers website at­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­ https://www.clackamas.us/healthcenters/schoolhealth.html

About CareOregon

For more than 25 years, CareOregon has offered health services and community benefit programs to Oregon Health Plan members. Today, we support the needs of more than 500,000 Oregonians through three coordinated care organizations, a Medicare Advantage plan, a Tribal Care Coordination program, a dental care organization and in-home medical care with Housecall Providers. CareOregon members have access to integrated physical, dental and mental health care and substance use treatment. We believe that good health requires more than clinics and hospitals, so we also connect members to housing, fresh food, education and transportation services. CareOregon is a mission-driven, community-based nonprofit with offices in Portland, Medford and Seaside, Oregon.

About Clackamas County School-Based Health Centers

Clackamas County Public Health supports seven School Based Health Clinics located on school campuses in various school districts throughout the county to provide telehealth and in-person appointments. School-based clinics serve students where they are to make quality health care accessible and convenient. They provide quality professional medical care to prevent illness and promote healthy behaviors. Children are eligible for services at the clinic in their school district. Interpretation and sign language services are available. The clinics serve all students and bill insurance if possible — there is no cost to students and their families for services. To learn more about the School Based Health Centers visit Clackamas County’s Health Centers website at­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­ https://www.clackamas.us/healthcenters/schoolhealth.html