A vital health center at Elsie Allen High School is facing potential closure, leaving hundreds of teens without critical medical and mental health resources.
The Santa Rosa Community Health center, which serves roughly 1,500 students annually, provides everything from mental health counseling to birth control and general checkups, even offering services to uninsured residents.
Elsie Allen is slated for possible closure due to the school district’s budget deficit, threatening access to these essential services, especially mental health support, which has seen a dramatic increase in demand. Staff at the center highlight the unique accessibility it provides, particularly for low-income and immigrant families in the area.
The center’s closure would force students to seek care elsewhere, potentially creating significant barriers to crucial healthcare access. Community health leaders are urging the district to consider the impact of this loss on vulnerable youth.
