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Program to Bring Health Care to Scranton Schools

SCRANTON — Scranton middle schoolers may soon be testing out a new program that ramps up medical care provided at public schools. The creators of the prog...
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SCRANTON -- Scranton middle schoolers may soon be testing out a new program that ramps up medical care provided at public schools. The creators of the program hope it gives some parents more options and some children more medical coverage.

South Scranton Intermediate and Scranton's two other intermediate schools recently got big upgrades in their nurses' offices. As long as it's approved by the school board this week, a nurse practitioner will soon rotate through the three schools. A medical group in Lackawanna County is testing out the program here in Scranton.

Educators said the middle school years are some of the most important in a child's education. It's true for their development, too.

"If a kid is sick and a kid is not getting the medical attention that they need, they`re never going to learn to the potential that they have. So we`re going to step in and give them those basic needs so they can be educated and they can be the best student they can be," said Erin Keating, Scranton School District Supervisor of Elementary Education.

Keating said Scranton schools are ready to roll out a new medical program at the district's three intermediate schools. The nurse's offices have already been upgraded with new equipment. Pending school board approval, a nurse practitioner will soon rotate through the schools.

If parents agree to it, the nurse practitioner can do check ups, administer vaccines, or prescribe medicine.

"I think it`s something that all the schools can use, especially in an area such as this. You know, the way prices are and things and a lot of people maybe aren`t covered all the way," said district grandparent Frances Daleo.

The program was put together by The Wright Center in Lackawanna County. Through grants and donations, they will be able to pay for that nurse practitioner for two years.

"Hopefully this is just the beginning, and so we hope that throughout the next two years we can develop a model that can be implemented throughout our region," said Kellen Kraky of The Wright Center.

Officials with The Wright Center said they hope Scranton School District, and maybe other districts, will pick up and eventually expand the program into more schools.

It's all ready to go in Scranton, but it still needs final approval from the school board. Members are expected to vote Wednesday night.

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