Essential Health Resource at Elsie Allen High Faces Closure: What It Means for Students and the Community

If Santa Rosa High School closes next month, around 1,500 teens could lose their main source for physical and mental health support.

Teens in Santa Rosa City Schools often turn to the community health center at Elsie Allen High School for help. Here, they can discuss mental health issues, get birth control, or have routine check-ups. Families without insurance also rely on this affordable care.

Some residents call the Santa Rosa Community Health center a “vital resource.” However, it faces the risk of shutting down at the end of the school year. According to a committee reviewing school closures, Elsie Allen is likely to be among those forced to close due to a $20 million budget deficit affecting the district.

If approved, the closure could leave 1,500 young people, aged 12 to 19, without critical health services. Erin Moilanen, a family nurse practitioner at the center, notes that the demand for mental health services is especially high. She explained, “Many teens are not just dealing with pandemic stress but also trauma from the fires and other life challenges.” Moilanen highlighted the disturbing trend, saying that at least half of her patients are struggling with mental health issues.

Moilanen has been with the center for 18 years. In the past, teens mainly sought reproductive health services, but as the community evolved, the focus shifted. Now, the center emphasizes long-acting reversible contraceptives like IUDs, helping break cycles of teen pregnancy.

To further support mental well-being, the center includes trauma screenings in all wellness exams. These screenings allow the staff to discuss important topics like home life, trusted adults, diet, and sleep with the teens. “Life changes, and kids often open up more as they build trust,” Moilanen said.

The center offers a broad range of services to both adolescents and their families, including vaccinations, health check-ups for sports, and resources for those facing food insecurity or bullying.

Hope Bennett, a 17-year-old Montgomery High School student, illustrates this need well. During a visit for an ear infection, Hope and her mother expressed their appreciation for the center’s quick and convenient services. “We come here for everything,” said Hope’s mother, Nicole Colman. “The wait is short, and it’s close to home.”

While teens under 18 need parental consent for all visits, California law allows those over 12 to access reproductive services without needing permission. Hope noted the convenience of the center, stating, “It’s the easiest spot to visit compared to others that are much farther away.”

For many families, this center may be their only healthcare option. This situation is especially true for low-income and immigrant families in southwest Santa Rosa, who face numerous barriers to accessing care.

Yudith Correa, the chief operations officer at Santa Rosa Community Health, echoes this sentiment. As a graduate of Elsie Allen herself, she has long been committed to supporting underserved youth. “Seeing this school close would hit hard, especially since it serves those who often lack resources,” she explained. “It plays such an essential role in our community.”

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