Independence High School Health Clinic Closes

San Jose , CA - Effective June 9, 2006, School Health Clinics of Santa Clara County will close its Independence High School Health Clinic. The clinic will not reopen in September 2006 as originally projected due to a lack of funding. Clinic patients have been referred to neighboring community clinics for continuation of care.

School Health Clinics of Santa Clara County is grateful to the many organizations who stepped forward to offer assistance, including the County and the East Side Union High School District . However, the amount of financial means necessary to sustain operation of the clinic was not available.

Providing teens with convenient and easily accessible health care opportunities is of paramount importance in our community. School-based health clinics have been proven to keep children healthier and in school so they can make the most of their educational experience. "I am extremely saddened by the need to close the Independence High School Health Clinic. The medical care provided to teens on campus was a benefit for the students and for their families. We certainly would maintain the clinic if we had the financial resources," says Sue Lapp , Chief Executive Officer for School Health Clinics of Santa Clara County.

School Health Clinics of Santa Clara County operates six school-based health clinics for children and adolescents. Located in four school districts, we serve the Gilroy community at South Valley Middle School , and in San Jose we are on the campuses of Washington Elementary School , San Jose High Academy , W.C. Overfelt High School , Yerba Buena High School, and in the district office of the Franklin-McKinley School District .

For further information on medical services for children available through School Health Clinics of Santa Clara County, please call (408) 282-4340 or visit www.schoolhealthclinics.org