True Health Brings the Wellness Cottage to Evans Community School
August 24, 2015 at 3:21 pm
If you don’t know by now… Evans Community School, formerly known as Maynard Evans High School prior to August 2012, has partnered with True Health to open Florida’s very first wellness cottage as of January 2015.
Wait… what’s Evans Community School?
Evans Community School goes far beyond the old school method of “teachers teach and students learn”, involving real world learning and community problem solving. They not only help students achieve academic success, but have created a comprehensive support system for students and community members alike.
Orange County Public Schools, Children’s Home Society of Florida, the University of Central Florida, and True Health have partnered up to provide a safe, stable, and supportive environment for students, their families, and members of the community. This web of partnerships focus on:
- Academics
- Health and wellness
- Social services
- Youth development
- Community involvement and growth.
Their mission is to empower students and strengthen communities for lifelong success. The community school provides a place where students can learn and members of the community can grow together. It stands strong as the center of the Pine Hills community and is open year round – days, evenings, and weekends.
Watch Coalition for Community Schools Director Martin J. Blank explain why community school are smart schools during the Community School National Forum in San Francisco.
Why are community schools so important?
Community schools are changing the way people look at public education in struggling communities. Students who attend community schools have access to much more than a teacher and a chalk board. Some services offered at community schools are:
- Medical care
- Social support and counseling
- Character education and mentoring
- Tutoring
- Job coaching
- Professional learning opportunities
- Youth empowerment
- College, career, and citizenship
- Early childhood development
- Family and community engagement
A community school offers a holistic approach to caring for the education and health of not only the students but their families and the surrounding communities. With a community school in place, people are able to get what they need, when they need it, and at a price they can afford. What’s better than that?
What is Evans Wellness Cottage?
Evans Wellness Cottage is located on the community school grounds in the heart of Pine Hills and comprises the healthcare component of the community school. It is here where immediate access to medical, dental, and behavioral services are available for students and members of the community.
Tasha Casaccio, Director of Marketing and Promotions at True Health, tell us “The goal for this wellness cottage is to keep the students happy, healthy, and in school so they have the building blocks to a bright and successful future. It’s an added benefit to be able to provide continuity of care to the Pine Hills community and be their preferred medical home”.
The Wellness Cottage is equipped to accept most insurance plans, Medicaid, Medicare and maintains a sliding scale payment plan according to income. With this approach, no one is denied the care and support they need to be healthy and successful. Students can now stop worrying about health issues so they can focus on learning.
Check out the WESH TV news report about the wellness cottage.
