Oregon Public Broadcasting

The federal government has awarded $4 million dollars to a dozen health centers based in Oregon's schools.

The money will be used to expand services and update equipment.

Oregon has about 55 school-based health centers. They're in poorer areas or small towns that are far away from a doctor's office or other medical facilities. They're staffed by nurse practioners. Usually the centers are funded by the local county and the state. But now, under the "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act," the federal government is making grants.

Paula Hester is the executive director of the Oregon School-Based Health Care Network.

"The services that are there are everything from providing sports physicals, to doing immunizations, doing counseling around family issues. Providing on the spot healthcare which then may be referred out," Hester said.

In Hillsboro, Sisters and Milwaukie, the money will be used to build new centers. In Multnomah Lincoln and Columbia Counties, older facilities will be remodeled with things like private examination rooms, electronic records equipment and space for mental health and addiction treatment meetings.