August 12, 2009

SPEAKER DONOVAN, EAST HARTFORD LEGISLATORS
AND SCHOOL HEALTH CENTER OFFICIALS TO HOLD NEWS CONFERENCE
IN SUPPORT OF SCHOOL BASED HEALTH CENTERS
Governor's proposed budget cuts funding for program

Speaker of the House Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden), State Representative Henry Genga (D-East Hartford), State Representative Jason Rojas and State Representative Timothy Larson (D-East Hartford) together with school health center officials have scheduled a news conference Thursday, August 13, at the East Hartford High School Health clinic to protest proposed cuts in the governor's budget.

Governor Rell has proposed a reduction of $1.47 million to the Department of Public Health's School Based Health Centers that will affect core services such as dental, behavioral and physical health as well as preventive programs.

School Based Health Centers help keep students healthy and in school so they can maximize their opportunities for learning. These centers are particularly important during times of public distress, such as the recent swine flu outbreak, to provide parents with a measure of assurance knowing there are health care professionals nearby.