BRIGHTON, COLO. (April 17, 2020) – On April 20, Kids First Health Care and 27J Schools reopened the Kids First Health Care health center at Brighton High School to infants, children, and teens ages 0-21 in the Brighton community and beyond. Currently the health center is open on Monday to all Brighton youth (ages 0-21). On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday it is exclusively available for Brighton High School students. Hours of operation on open days are from 8am-4:30pm and the center is closed on Tuesday.
“Opening the health center will provide much needed resources and support to the entire 27J community,” said 27J Schools Superintendent Dr. Chris Fiedler. “We are grateful to Kids First for recognizing the need and stepping up to provide their help. Now, more than ever, we value and appreciate our community partnerships and the immense benefit these relationships provide to our entire community.”
The center will provide a variety of health care services for infants, children, and teens, including immunizations/shots, annual check-ups and sports physicals, visits for sickness and injury, confidential teen health services, and health education. The health center does not have the capacity to test for COVID-19, and children and family members with COVID-19 symptoms or infected household members should not visit the health center.
Telehealth services are available for mental health and primary care visits, including concerns about non-emergency COVID-19 symptoms. Telehealth services reduce the spread of COVID-19 and make it easy to access health care from the comfort and safety of home. New patients are welcome to access telehealth services or make an appointment at the health center by calling 303-655-8924. Parents must complete an enrollment form for their children to receive care at the health center.
“During this uncertain and challenging time, Kids First remains committed to serving children and teens in the Brighton community,” said Whitney Gustin Connor, Executive Director of Kids First Health Care. “We appreciate our partnership with 27J Schools and the opportunity to reopen the health clinic at Brighton High School. Kids First is working hard to meet evolving community needs by offering telehealth services and virtual assistance with health insurance and other resources during the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis.”
While in-person classes are suspended at Brighton High, the health center will not have access to the rest of the school building. Families should access the health center through the health center entrance located on the northeast side of the school off Egbert Street. Parking is available on Egbert Street between South 8th Avenue and South 9th Avenue.
To protect public health and safety, Kids First has implemented a stringent cleaning policy and is disinfecting the health center throughout the day after each patient visit. Kids First requests that all families call prior to visiting the clinic and only one parent or guardian accompany each patient to their appointment. In addition, Kids First is reserving morning appointments at the health center for well visits and afternoon appointments for sick visits.
Children do not need to have insurance to receive care at the health center or use the telehealth services. Kids First accepts Health First Colorado (Medicaid), Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+), and some private insurance. Kids First is currently offering virtual assistance with applying for health insurance through Medicaid and CHP+.
Prior to the school district closure, the health center exclusively served Brighton High students during the school year. Kids First and 27J Schools are currently working to determine the service model for the upcoming school year.
About Kids First Health Care: Kids First Health Care is committed to improving the health and well-being of infants, children, and youth through providing primary and preventive health services in partnership with schools and other community organizations. Kids First operates eight school-based health centers and community pediatric centers throughout Adams County and provides school nursing services for two Adams County school districts. – https://www.kidsfirsthealthcare.org
About 27J Schools: 27J Schools educate 19,000 students from Aurora, Brighton, Commerce City, Lochbuie, and Thornton and encompasses parts of Adams, Broomfield and Weld counties. The mission of School District 27J, with the support of the family and community, is to ensure that all students have the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed for present and future competence and success. – www.sd27j.org
Kids First Health Care, 4675 E. 69th Ave., Commerce City, CO 80022, 303-289-1086
###