CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — A new health clinic in the Chillicothe City School District has become the 29th and final clinic funded through the Appalachian Children’s Health Initiative, a state-supported effort that has invested more than $64 million to expand access to health care for children and families across Appalachian Ohio.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik announced the completion of the initiative this week following the opening of the Chillicothe clinic.
The initiative was created to address health care access challenges in Appalachian communities, where some families have historically faced long travel distances to obtain medical services.
“Too many children in Appalachia have had to travel long distances to get even basic healthcare,” DeWine said. “Today, more families can find that care close to home, including right at their child’s school.”
The governor called the clinics a long-term investment in the health of Ohio children.
29 clinics across Appalachian Ohio
Of the 29 clinics established through the initiative, most are school-based health clinics operating in partnership with 16 regional health care providers and serving 34 school districts.
Services vary by location but can include primary care, dental care, vision services and mental health care for children, families and members of the surrounding community.
Since the first clinic opened in 2024, the participating clinics have recorded nearly 33,000 patient visits, including more than 21,000 visits involving children.
State officials estimate the clinics have saved students an average of 3.19 hours of learning time per visit, representing time that otherwise could have been spent traveling away from school for medical appointments.
Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik said school-based clinics can help reduce the logistical challenges families face when children need medical care.
“As a mom of three, I know how quickly a child’s illness can upend a school day and leave parents either scrambling to arrange care or step away from work,” Mihalik said.
“These clinics give families in this region one less barrier to navigate, which means more time for their kids to do what’s most important — learning, growing, and being kids.”
Part of $500 million Appalachian investment
The Appalachian Children’s Health Initiative was developed with support from the Ohio General Assembly and funded through the state’s Appalachian Community Grant Program.
The larger program invested $500 million in Ohio’s 32-county Appalachian region.
Funding for the health clinics was awarded to the Appalachian Children Coalition and administered through the Governor’s Office of Appalachia within the Ohio Department of Development.
Randy Leite, executive director of the Appalachian Children Coalition, said the initiative is designed to ensure children can access health care without having to leave school or travel long distances.
“The Appalachian Children’s Health Initiative will assure children have access to the care they need without having to miss school to receive it,” Leite said.
Nationwide Children’s Hospital also played a major role in the program, preparing the original grant proposal on behalf of the Appalachian Children Coalition and providing implementation support and technical assistance to participating districts.
Mary Kay Irwin, senior director of school-based health at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, said the initiative demonstrates what can happen when schools, health care providers, local communities and state agencies work together.
Chillicothe clinic completes initiative
With the opening of the Chillicothe clinic, all 29 clinics funded through the Appalachian Children’s Health Initiative have now opened.
The state says the clinics are intended to provide lasting health care infrastructure in Appalachian communities while reducing barriers that can prevent children and families from accessing care.
Since 2019, the DeWine administration says it has invested approximately $2 billion in Ohio’s Appalachian counties through various programs and initiatives.
For Chillicothe and the surrounding region, the new school-based clinic adds another local option for families seeking health care while keeping students closer to their classrooms and communities.
