Alliance City School District

Alliance, Ohio — Alliance Family Health Center (AFHC), in partnership with Alliance City School District, is pleased to announce the opening of a new School-Based Health Center located at Alliance High School. The health center is scheduled to open on or before March 1, 2027, expanding access to high-quality, comprehensive healthcare for students, faculty, staff, and the broader Alliance community.

The School-Based Health Center represents a transformational investment in the health and well-being of Alliance's students and the broader community. By bringing comprehensive healthcare directly to the school setting, this partnership will reduce barriers such as transportation challenges, scheduling conflicts, and time away from the classroom, making care more convenient and accessible for students, faculty, staff, and community members. Research consistently demonstrates that healthier students are better positioned to succeed academically, with increased access to healthcare contributing to improved attendance, earlier identification and treatment of physical and behavioral health concerns, better management of chronic conditions, and stronger educational outcomes. Clinical services will be provided by Alliance Family Health Center, a Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alike committed to delivering compassionate, patient-centered care regardless of an individual's ability to pay, ensuring an integrated network of family medicine, women's health, behavioral health, care coordination, and pharmacy services is available to support the overall health and success of the Alliance community.

Patients of the School-Based Health Center will have access to comprehensive primary care, with coordinated referrals and support from Alliance Family Health Center's multidisciplinary team. Available services include:

• Family Medicine

• Women's Health

• Integrated Behavioral Health

• Care Coordination

• Pharmacy Services

This integrated approach allows patients to receive coordinated, whole-person care through a trusted healthcare partner while minimizing barriers to accessing the services they need.

While the School-Based Health Center will be conveniently located within Alliance High School, it is important to note the health center is open to students, faculty, staff, and members of the community, helping to improve access to healthcare for residents throughout the Alliance area.

"At Alliance Family Health Center, we believe healthcare should be accessible, convenient, and centered around the needs of the people we serve," said Amelia Kocher, Chief Executive Officer of Alliance Family Health Center. "This partnership with Alliance City School District reflects our shared commitment to removing barriers to care and creating healthier students, healthier employees, and ultimately, a healthier community. We are excited to bring comprehensive primary care and integrated services directly to where they are needed most."

Superintendent Rob Gress echoed the importance of the collaboration.

"ACS is unique in our commitment to focusing on the whole child,” said Rob Gress, Superintendent of Alliance City School District. "Preparing students for life, college, and career begins by making sure our students are healthy, supported, and ready to learn. This partnership helps us remove barriers, so every Aviator has the opportunity to succeed."

Research consistently demonstrates that School-Based Health Centers improve access to preventive care, reduce absenteeism, support student achievement, and provide earlier intervention for physical and behavioral health concerns. By bringing healthcare directly into the educational environment while remaining open to the broader community, this partnership strengthens the overall health infrastructure of Alliance.

Additional information regarding clinic hours, appointment scheduling, eligibility, and a community grand opening celebration will be announced as implementation progresses.

About Alliance Family Health Center

Alliance Family Health Center is a nonprofit Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alike committed to providing comprehensive, high-quality healthcare to individuals and families throughout the region. Services include family medicine, women's health, integrated behavioral health, pharmacy, care coordination, and other supportive services designed to improve the health of the communities it serves.

About Alliance City School District

Alliance City School District is dedicated to preparing its 2,900 students to productively engage in college, careers and/or the military after graduation. Through innovative partnerships and a commitment to student well-being, the District works to ensure every student has the opportunity to thrive.

Jointly Issued By:

Amelia Kocher

Chief Executive Officer