School-based health centers are improving health (and academics) for youth at more than 30 schools in King County – and this year, the number of schools participating is expanding, through Best Starts for Kids.

The centers bring medical and mental health services right where it’s easiest for students to access – in clinics that are embedded at schools.

This week, service providers and school officials showed the progress they’re making at a newly launched health center at Highland Middle School in Bellevue, during a visit by King County Executive Dow Constantine and other leaders. Nearly half the students at Highland speak a language other than English as their first language.

The center is operated by International Community Health Services in partnership with Youth East Side Services, and it is part of the network of school-based health centers managed by Public Health–Seattle & King County.

By integrating health, mental health, and other youth services, Best Starts for Kids brings together multiple strategies to promote a “whole child approach.” Read the full story at the Best Starts for Kids blog: Celebrating Best Starts for Kids’ school partnerships