The City of Seattle announced on April 15 that International Community Health Services has been selected to be the lead agency in developing and operating the City’s newest school-based health center at the Secondary Bilingual Orientation Center, a school for 6th to 12th grade immigrant and refugee students. Funding for the clinic was recommended by Mayor Mike McGinn using money from the City’s Families and Education Levy approved by voters in 2004. In December 2010, the City Council voted unanimously to allocate funds to operate the health center through the duration of the current Levy.
Last month, the City Council unanimously approved an ordinance to ask voters to renew and enhance the Levy as recommended by a 24-member citizen advisory committee. A renewal of the Levy will provide ongoing support to the Secondary Bilingual Orientation Center’s school-based health center. For more information, please see this news release.