Principles
Physical and emotional health has a tremendous impact on students’ ability to learn and succeed in school. Yet ongoing health care for Partnership students may be neglected due to lack of insurance, limited access to medical resources or family circumstances.

Temple has great expertise in health care, and can help ensure that students are physically, mentally and emotionally ready to learn.

             

 

 Surroundcare held a health fair for the North Philadelphia community on May 11, 2007 featuring

         physicians, nurses, and other health practiioners from Temple's Health Science campus.

 

Actions
A Temple pediatrician from the Temple School of Medicine and Temple University Health System has joined the Partnership staff to coordinate initial Surroundcare efforts and planning for its expansion.

School psychology/special education graduate students from the College of Education are assessing student behavioral and educational needs.

A social work supervisor and four graduate interns from the School of Social Administration help families obtain social services.

Medical student volunteers are providing health education and serving as role models.

Students in three schools take part in an after-school swimming program funded by a three-year, $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education and the Arthritis Foundation of Eastern Pennsylvania, receiving swimming lessons and health education.

A needs assessment and fundraising effort are both underway to allow for the strategic growth of Surroundcare.  Funds to date have been provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the American Academy of Pediatrics.