Las Escuelas Públicas del Condado de Miami-Dade (M-DCPS) están mejorando la salud de los estudiantes al expandir los servicios de telesalud proporcionados por Hazel Health y respaldados por una inversión de UnitedHealthcare.
These telehealth services, offered by Hazel Health, a leading provider of school-based telehealth, ensure that students can access high-quality virtual medical care for both physical and mental health needs without leaving their school campus. This initiative is part of a broader collaboration between UnitedHealthcare and Hazel Health, announced last year, to provide virtual school-centered health care for up to 1 million students across select states nationwide.
“Kids spend a lot of time at school, so providing medical and mental health care right there makes it easier for families to get the help they need,” said Michael Lawton, CEO of UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Florida. “This care is available to all families, no matter their background or income. We’re proud to work with Hazel Health and M-DCPS to bring these important services to students and their families.”
La expansión de este programa responde a la creciente necesidad de servicios de salud accesibles para los estudiantes, sobre todo en comunidades donde es posible que las familias enfrenten dificultades para obtener atención médica tradicional. Al integrar los servicios de telesalud directamente en las escuelas, M-DCPS tiene como objetivo proporcionar atención médica oportuna, reducir el absentismo y promover el bienestar general entre los estudiantes.
“Nuestras escuelas se transformaron en centros de apoyo integral donde los estudiantes pueden acceder a recursos esenciales que promueven el éxito tanto en lo académico como en lo personal”, afirmó el superintendente, Dr. Jose L. Dotres. “A través de nuestra colaboración con Hazel Health, con el apoyo de UnitedHealthcare, estamos ampliando nuestra oferta para conectar a los estudiantes con servicios oportunos y esenciales a través de la escuela. Esta iniciativa refleja nuestro compromiso inquebrantable de derribar barreras para nuestros estudiantes y familias, así como de transformar vidas mediante una atención cuyos beneficios están clínicamente validados”.
About 1 in 5 kids have mental health problems, with depression and anxiety being the most common conditions. Despite some improvements, many children still struggle to access the care they need due to a shortage of doctors, high costs, or feelings of embarrassment. Without proper care, these children may face difficulties in school, social interactions, and long-term development.
“We have witnessed soaring rates of mental health challenges and declining health indicators among children, adolescents, and their families, and we understand the impact that it has on a student’s academic success,” said Andrew Post, Hazel Health President. “However, this isn’t just about academic success – it’s about equipping our young people with the tools and resilience they’ll need throughout their lives. By investing in student health and wellness today, we’re not only improving their classroom performance, but we’re also laying the foundation for their lifelong success.”
With this expansion, Miami Dade County public school students experiencing health issues can connect with licensed medical professionals via secure video calls at school or at home. Whether dealing with minor illnesses, chronic conditions, or mental health challenges, students can now receive timely evaluations, recommendations, and referrals for further treatment if necessary.
Importantly, the service is available at no cost to families, ensuring that financial limitations do not prevent children from receiving medical care. Hazel Health’s providers represent the communities that they serve. Their team of licensed clinicians have extensive experience serving a wide range of communities – 40% are bilingual, totaling 30+ languages spoken.
The program has already shown success in several schools, with students benefiting from prompt medical attention and referrals when necessary. School officials believe the expansion will further support families by filling gaps in healthcare accessibility and ensuring that students stay engaged in their education without health-related disruptions.
Los padres interesados en inscribir a sus hijos en el programa de telesalud pueden comunicarse con la administración de su escuela para obtener más información. A través de esta iniciativa, M-DCPS continúa su compromiso de fomentar un entorno de aprendizaje de apoyo, saludable y exitoso para todos los estudiantes.
