University of Alabama Hosts Leaders from State Superintendent’s Office for Education for SMART Student Health and Wellness Center Tour

Several special visitors to the Reform Elementary SMART Clinic included Dr. Tony Thacker, Assistant Superintendent, Alabama State Department of Education (middle front row); Felicia Simpson, University of Alabama School of Education School Partnership Coordinator/Grant Writer (left, 2nd row); University of Alabama College of Education Dean, Dr. Peter Hlebowitsh; and Dr. Karl Hamner, among others who were hosted by Dr. Valerie Jackson, Reform Elementary Principal; Marilyn Smith, SMART FNP; Kim Taylor, SMART Clinic Utilization Manger; Vicki Britt, Pickens County Primary Care Office Manager; Kiana Winston, University of Alabama SMART MSW intern; and Teirdre Owens, SMART Regional Utilization Advisor, as well as several Reform Elementary teacher and student representatives.

Reform, Ala. — On Wednesday, July 24, leaders from the Alabama State Department of Education and Alabama Governor’s office visited the SMART Student Health and Wellness Clinic at Reform Elementary School for a clinic tour and meeting with local stakeholders to recognize the SMART’s transformational impact and discuss next steps to ensure legacy in Pickens County Schools.

Special guests for the tour included: Dr. Tony Thacker, Assistant Superintendent, Alabama State Department of Education; Paul A. Morin, Coordinator, Alabama Afterschool Community Network; and Dr. Faron Hollinger, President and CEO, Akribos Group.

The guests arrived at Reform Elementary where they were greeted by Dr. Valerie Jackson, Reform Elementary School principal and a cohort teachers and student representatives. The clinic tour was hosted by University of Alabama School of Education Dean, Dr. Peter Hlebowitsh; Dr. Karl Hamner; and School Partnership/Grant Writer, Felicia Simpson.

Dr. Hlebowitsh, Dean of the College of Education at University of Alabama, noted after visiting the clinics, “the University of Alabama has recognized and supports the SMART Model as one of its most fundamental, impactful initiatives. It encompasses every value that the University of Alabama College of Education identifies as important.”

Also present was Dr. Julia Boothe, founder of Pickens County Primary Care, the certified SMART medical provider along with Vicki Britt, Pickens County Primary Care Office Manager.

Pickens County School Superintendent Jamie Chapman led the local effort to bring SMART to his students in Pickens County and CVS Health, the Legacy Sponsor of SMART, provided significant funding to cover the costs to embed the model within the schools.

Wednesday’s tour was followed by a presentation from SMART Model architect Melanie Ginn who provided an overview of the extraordinary first-year outcomes and impacts of the model followed by next steps and action items to sustain the existing SMART Clinics as legacy in Pickens County Schools and the opportunity to expand to other areas around the state as needed.

SMART consented 99% of the students at Reform Elementary for care and provided care for 100% of those students in addition to faculty and staff. The significant results from just one year of SMART operations at Reform Elementary and Pickens County High School include an over 30% decrease in chronic absenteeism at both schools, 114 learning points gained at Reform Elementary and a 1% increase on the state report card for Pickens County High School. The SMART Clinic purpose is to support student academic achievement by ensuring the wellness of every student in the building. SMART achieves this by engaging with all students to identify and address physical and behavioral barriers to classroom success to create optimal opportunity for learning.

Additional GGC staff present included Dr. Yolima Moncada, Senior Director, SMART Clinical Operations; Juan Pablo Sanchez, Manager, SMART Business Development; and Teirdre Owens, SMART Regional Utilization Advisor. University of Alabama Masters of Social Work student, Kiana Winston, also shared her experience as a SMART Clinic intern and will begin her second year of field work at the Reform Elementary SMART Clinic this fall.

###

About Ginn Group Collaborative

Ginn Group Collaborative (GGC), led by President and CEO Melanie Ginn, is a nationally recognized design management firm with a proven track record in delivering exceptional outcomes and incisive analysis for clients. GGC brings objective and insightful perspective and expertise to review, research, develop, and deliver advanced business and legal analysis, strategies, and solutions. Learn more at ginngroupconsulting.com.