This document advocates for converting public schools in Reading, Pennsylvania to full-service schools to increase access to healthcare for students. It notes that many families in Reading struggle financially and lack health insurance or time to take children to doctors. Full-service schools, which would have on-site doctors or nurses, could provide check-ups, vaccinations, medications and preventative care to students during the school day. Converting the schools would help more children access healthcare and reduce absences due to illness. The goal is to influence school boards, administrators and parents to support adopting this full-service model, as other schools have done successfully.

1. Running head: ADVOCACY PAPER 1
Rachel Kohlway
Advocacy Paper:
Full Service Schools
Alvernia University

2. ADVOCACY PAPER 2
In today’s world many people face a lack of access to health care including school aged
children. It is such a relevant issue that Healthy People 2020 have even taken time to discuss the
issue and even give suggestions on how to improve access to health care (3). This age group is at
a higher disadvantages then most because they are completely dependent on their parents or
guardian to provide them with health care. Children do not have the ability to obtain health
insurance, find medical professionals, or even get to the medical professionals without help from
their care givers. At this time over six percent of children under the age of eighteen still do not
have health insurance (1&2). Difficulty affording or obtaining health insurance is especially true
in impoverished areas, such as Reading. As of 2014 families in Reading make close to fifty
percent less than others in Pennsylvania ($25,656 average in Reading versus $51,230 average in
Pennsylvania). These parents often times have difficulty putting food on the table, let alone be
able to afford to take their children to the doctor. Reading is also highly populated with Hispanic
families. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as many as fourteen percent of Hispanic
families have a parent/guardian that is unemployed. Being unemployed also decreases the
likelihood of families having health insurance (since it is often provided by the employer) or
being able to afford it for their families. Also, less than nine percent of individuals living in
Reading have a college degree. Without a college degree it is very difficult for someone to find a
good job to fully support their family. Often times, the parents have to work multiple jobs to
provide for their children. Even if they could afford to health care for their children, they do not
have the time to take them to the doctors.
One very simple way to increase access to health care for school aged children is to
convert public schools to be full serviced schools. A full service school has either a full time

3. ADVOCACY PAPER 3
doctor or nurse practitioner. With over two thirds of children, ages five to seventeen, missing
school due to illness in the past year, having on staff doctors could greatly decrease these
numbers (4). These full service schools will be give children the opportunity to go to the doctor
when they otherwise would not be able to. At school they would be able to receive regular
check-ups, vaccinations, prescription medications, and even preventive measures. Converting
public schools to full service schools would in fact increase access to health care for many
children.
The goal of this plan is to convert schools within the Reading school district to full
service schools. With this, the hope is that more children will have access to health care and
absences related to illness with decrease. To reach these goals, there is a need to influence not
only the parents, but the school board, superintendent, and the principals as well. Those working
for the school district will have the final say on whether or not they will accept the proposal of
converting to full service schools. This is why it is so important to make a good impression on
these board members. It is also incredibly important to get the parents on board. Parents always
want what is best for their children, so it is important to explain all of the wonderful benefits that
full service schools would provide. Also, if the parents are on board they can help influence the
board members, because they want to please the parents.
There are many other schools who have converted to full service schools, with much
success.