Lawmakers, Schools' Health Providers Hold Virtual Panel Thursday

BRANFORD, CT —State Representative Robin Comey (D-Branford) will co-host a virtual conversation on Children's Health and School-Based Health Centers (SBHC) on Thursday, March 4 at 7:00pm.

Also co-hosting the panel will be State Rep. Mary Welander (D-Orange/Woodbridge/Derby) vice chair of the legislature's Committee on Children, along with Melanie Wilde – Director of School-Based Health for Branford Public Schools and Laurie Collins – Executive Director of the Connecticut Association of School Based Health Centers, and Annie Drabinski, APRN and Lisa Lochner, LCSW.

Thursday's Facebook live conversation will focus on the role of School Based Health Centers and how they support children within a school environment with comprehensive primary health care services regardless of ability to pay or insurance coverage. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted young children's overall mental and physical health as they have struggled to adapt to their new routines at home and school including remote learning protocols.

School Based Health Centers are staffed by multi-disciplinary teams of pediatric and adolescent health specialists, including nurse practitioners, physician assistants, social workers, physicians and in some cases, dentists and dental hygienists. These collaborative teams work together with school administrations and school nursing staff, offering innovative programs, to keep children healthy so they are ready to learn.

WHO: Reps. Comey, Welander, Melanie Wilde of SBHC, Laurie Collins of CASBHC, Annie Drabinski, APRN and and Lisa Lochner, LCSW

WHAT: Facebook Live conversation on children's issues including mental and physical health

WHEN: Thursday, March 4th at 7:00pm

WHERE: Facebook live: www.facebook.com/RepComey or www.facebook.com/RepMaryWelander