NEW CASTLE – The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) today announced awards to establish four new school-based health centers in Sussex County through the state’s Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). The investment brings more health care resources directly to rural Sussex County by expanding access to preventive, primary and behavioral health services in communities that have historically had fewer school-based health resources, to improve health outcomes and support educational success for local students.

The awards include:

• Nemours Children’s Health – Seaford Middle School
• TidalHealth – Selbyville Middle School
• Beebe Healthcare – Sussex Central Middle School
• Beebe Healthcare – Georgetown Middle School

Delaware currently has 40 school-based health centers statewide, but nearly three-quarters are located in New Castle County. Prior to these awards, only one middle school and one elementary school in Sussex County had a school-based health center. The four new centers will help close that gap, making it easier for students in rural Sussex County to receive care, identify health concerns early and stay healthy enough to learn.

“A child’s health should never be determined by their ZIP code,” said Governor Matt Meyer. “These new school-based health centers will bring health care directly to students and families in Sussex County, helping more children stay healthy, succeed in school, and build brighter futures. Modern health care means caring for the whole child. At a time when so many young people are struggling with anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges, access to care for both their body and mind has never been more important.”

School-based health centers provide preventive, primary and behavioral health services where students spend much of their day, making it easier for children and families to access care at school. In addition to caring for students when they are sick, they promote preventive care, identify health concerns early, strengthen coordination among families, schools and community providers, and help connect families with additional services when needed.

“Children in rural communities should have the same opportunity to access quality health care as children in every community across Delaware,” said DHSS Secretary Christen Linke Young. “These new school-based health centers bring more health care resources to rural Sussex County, helping more students stay healthy so they can attend school consistently, succeed in the classroom and reach their full potential.”

The Rural Health Transformation Program is investing in projects that improve access to care, strengthen Delaware’s health care workforce, modernize health care infrastructure, and advance better health outcomes across Kent and Sussex counties. These new school-based health centers are one of several Rural Health Transformation Program investments improving rural health infrastructure in Kent and Sussex counties by expanding access to care, strengthening partnerships among schools, providers and community organizations, and improving health outcomes.

This project is supported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $157,394,963.86 with 100 percent funded by CMS/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CMS/HHS, or the U.S. Government.

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