Throughout Ohio, children are heading back to school for a new academic year. Students are excited to be with their classmates and teachers to learn and grow.

But for kids to really excel, they need to feel their best to be able to learn at their best. That’s why school-based health centers are so important.

School-based health centers provide an opportunity for children to receive healthcare right in their school building. By having health services available on school grounds, students can schedule appointments with healthcare professionals or walk right in if they are sick.

Earlier this month, I was proud to welcome Ohio’s newest school-based health center at Springfield High School. The 5,000-square-foot facility is located right inside the school building, offering primary care, including well-childcare, immunizations, acute care, and chronic disease management.

Like many other school-based health centers, it also provides mental health services, including individual and group counseling — supports that are especially helpful for school-age children.

Springfield’s health center and others like it get students the help they need and get them back in the classroom fast, so they don’t miss out on valuable instruction time. Studies tell us that these centers positively impact students’ academic performance, including improved attendance, higher GPAs, grade promotions, better college preparation, and reduced rates of suspension.

One of the best things about these health centers is that they aren’t just for students. They serve whole communities, with most being open to the public. Take Springfield High School as an example. They partnered with a local healthcare provider and their school-based health center is also now a Federally Qualified Health Center. That means no patient will be turned away from receiving help when they need it.

These facilities are a win for families who don’t have health insurance or a primary care physician. They remove barriers to care so that people of all backgrounds and ages can reach their full potential.

They do this by helping everyone feel comfortable.

Schools are the heart and soul of our communities. People are used to going to schools for a variety of activities, from sports to theater productions to voting. Because these health centers are in a familiar place, community members feel at ease going there.

Earlier this year, I was proud to announce that, through the our new Appalachian Children’s Health Initiative, we are supporting the creation or expansion of school-based health centers in dozens of communities throughout Ohio. With the support of the Ohio General Assembly, school-based health centers are now being built across the state: Ashtabula, Warren, East Palestine, Zanesville, Gallipolis, Chillicothe, Loveland, and in so many other communities.

In my next state budget, I will ask the Legislature to join me in supporting even more school-based health centers.

In the meantime, I ask every community in Ohio to take a look at this model. Talk to your schools about partnering with your local hospital, primary care clinics, community health centers, or children’s hospital to make this a reality in your area.

My administration can provide the technical assistance schools need. Several of our state agencies are already working together to develop a new, comprehensive toolkit that will walk districts, step-by-step, through the process of launching their own health centers, including sustainable funding sources, planning, and more.

School-based health centers improve student well-being and mental health, promote a healthy learning environment, and help ensure that students, families, and entire communities thrive.

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Daily Advocate or its owner, AIM Media Midwest.