Business Details
17 Years
experience
Trusted School-Based Health Centers in Pennsylvania
Education Plus Health is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving access to high-quality healthcare and educational outcomes for underserved students. Established in Pennsylvania in 2009, we serve over 7,000 youth annually through school-based health centers (SBHCs) in 15 public, charter, and private Title One schools. Our model integrates physical and behavioral health services, nutrition support, and afterschool enrichment programs to address the holistic needs of students from elementary school through post-secondary education. Our nurse practitioners collaborate with primary care providers and specialists to deliver acute care, chronic disease management, mental health counseling, and preventive services. We also advocate for policy changes to expand SBHCs statewide, emphasizing their role in reducing absenteeism, Medicaid costs, and health disparities.With partnerships like the Pennsylvania School-Based Health Alliance, we work to ensure sustainable funding and Full Practice Authority for nurse practitioners to enhance care delivery. Our community health workers provide tailored support for asthma management, nutrition, and access to social services, reinforcing our commitment to health equity. Through evidence-based programs like Room2Breathe and the 21st Century Afterschool Program, we empower students to achieve academic success and long-term wellness. Our team combines decades of experience in healthcare and education to address systemic barriers faced by vulnerable populations. By bridging gaps in access, we strive to create equitable opportunities for students to thrive academically and personally.
Services
School-Based Health Centers
Asthma Management
Afterschool Academic Support
Mental Health Counseling
Community Health Outreach
Details
- Year established: 2009
Highlights and features
- We serve over 7,000 students annually through 15 school-based health centers in Pennsylvania.
- Our model integrates physical, behavioral, and nutritional healthcare with academic support.
- We partner with the National School-Based Health Alliance to advocate for policy reforms.
- Our team includes nurse practitioners and community health workers with expertise in underserved populations.
- We reduce absenteeism and Medicaid costs through evidence-based asthma and chronic disease programs.
Services
School-Based Health Centers
Our school-based health centers provide comprehensive medical care, including acute treatment, chronic disease management, and preventive services. These clinics address barriers to education by offering accessible healthcare within schools, reducing absenteeism and improving academic outcomes. Services are delivered by nurse practitioners collaborating with primary care providers and specialists.
Asthma Management
The Room2Breathe program focuses on asthma education, medication management, and environmental triggers. By providing peak flow meters, inhalers, and coaching, we reduce hospitalizations by 75-85% and improve daily health practices for students with asthma.
Afterschool Academic Support
Our afterschool programs offer academic enrichment, tutoring, and college readiness initiatives. These services support over 400 students annually, helping them improve grades and prepare for post-secondary education through structured learning environments.
Mental Health Counseling
Licensed counselors provide mental health assessments, therapy, and substance use prevention (SBIRT) in select schools. This service addresses critical needs like anxiety, depression, and trauma, fostering emotional well-being and academic focus.
Community Health Outreach
Community health workers connect families to resources for food insecurity, housing, and insurance. They also educate on nutrition, diabetes management, and reproductive health, bridging gaps between clinical care and social determinants of health.
People
Mary Lauren Salvatore
Executive Director
Mary Lauren Salvatore leads Education Plus Health in expanding school-based health centers across Pennsylvania. With over a decade of experience in public health advocacy, she focuses on policy reform and equitable healthcare access for underserved youth.
Questions
What services do your school-based health centers offer?
Our centers provide acute care, chronic disease management, mental health counseling, sports physicals, reproductive health services, and preventive care tailored to students' needs.
How do school-based health centers improve education?
By reducing absenteeism, managing chronic conditions like asthma, and addressing mental health needs, we help students maintain better attendance and academic performance.
What advocacy efforts are you focused on?
We advocate for state funding to expand school-based health centers and Full Practice Authority for nurse practitioners to improve healthcare access in Pennsylvania.
Do you offer services outside Philadelphia?
Yes, we operate in Pittsburgh, Scranton, Allentown, and Harrisburg, with plans to expand further across Pennsylvania.
