ICYMI: Health Centers Staying At 4 Brooklyn Schools Next Year

CARROLL GARDENS, BROOKLYN — Health centers at four Brooklyn schools will stay open for another year despite state funding cuts that put them in danger of closing.

After initially saying the clinics would close next year, SUNY Downstate said it would operate clinics at the four schools — M.S. 51 William Alexander in Park Slope; Brooklyn New School in Carroll Gardens; P.S. 38 the Pacific School in Boerum Hill; and Digital Arts and Cinema Technology High School in Cobble Hill — for the next school year.

Elected officials had planned to rally Wednesday afternoon in front of the Brooklyn New School to demand the clinics stay. The rally turned into a celebration, and a call to fund the centers indefinitely, after SUNY Downstate sent a letter to the four schools sharing the news about next year.

"The fact that they were going to close four health centers that would affect thousands of students was unconscionable," Assemblyman Bobby Carroll said. "I am so glad that last week when we all got together and came up with a plan. I'll be honest, I did not think it was going to work so quickly."

The school-based health centers provide a range of care to students at their schools, regardless of their health insurance or immigration status. State budget cuts and a change to the state's health department rules put funding for the centers in jeopardy.

"For over 20 years, our school-based health clinics have provided essential medical and mental care to thousands of students at M.S. 51 and the other schools that they support regardless of their insurance," Lenore Berner, principal at M.S. 51, said. "Providing these services immediately in their schools building makes it so students don’t have to sacrifice their overall learning for their health. "

Funding for future school years, though, is still up in the air, something the officials acknowledge needs a solution.

"These centers can provide the difference between life and death for many of our city’s schoolchildren," Assemblywoman JoAnne Simon said. "We are grateful that SUNY Downstate has stepped up for our children, but recognize the need to build a sustainable infrastructure going forward."

Images by Marc Torrence, Patch Staff