Miami-Dade County has made massive changes by significantly expanding its public health services, committing nearly $26 million annually to support school-based health services. This expansion aims to provide students with easier access to on-campus medical and mental health care to keep them healthy in the classroom.
The effort is driven by an increased investment from The Children’s Trust, which has funded school-based health programs for the 2025-2026 school year. The increase represents a 29% boost from the previous year and supports the HealthConnect in Our Schools initiative.
Through the program, mental and physical health services are now available at all Miami-Dade County Public Schools and select charter schools. Students can receive routine health screenings, chronic illnesses management, vision and dental care, mental health counseling and access to doctors through telehealth. Schools that are not assisted on campus will be equipped with mobile health units.
Officials have said the goal is to remove barriers that often prevent families from seeking care, including transportation challenges as well as inconvenient work hours. By providing on-campus services, students can now receive health care while staying engaged in their education.
“It’s important to have a greater investment in healthcare for our children because obviously it’s such an important stage in life, like your adolescence, and being able to have these opportunities for expanded healthcare and giving everyone an opportunity is a good investment,” Miami Palmetto Senior High senior Christopher Briggs said.
Students and parents of Miami-Dade schools have said the program is already making a difference, particularly through early detection efforts that help identify specific issues that could otherwise interfere with learning.
County and school officials hope the expansion will improve overall student well-being and lead to stronger academic outcomes across Miami-Dade County public schools.
In the future, district leaders plan to track attendance, discipline and academic performance to measure the impact of this change. Partnerships with local healthcare providers are expected to strengthen referrals for ongoing care within the schools. If results are positive, the initiative could serve as a model for other districts and benefit kids from around the country.
