(Black PR Wire) MIAMI, FL – School-based health services play an important role in supporting student wellness and academic success. With this in mind, Jessie Trice Community Health System (JTCHS) participated in The Children’s Trust HealthConnect news conference held on January 13, 2026 at Spanish Lakes Elementary School in Hialeah.

HealthConnect is an initiative of The Children’s Trust in partnership with the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade and Miami-Dade County Public Schools to provide comprehensive health services into every public school and some charter schools in Miami-Dade County. During the program, JTCHS President and CEO Ryan R. Hawkins spoke about the JTCHS’ work and the importance of school-based health programs. Following the program, JTCHS nurses and care team demonstrated how comprehensive services, including preventive screenings, eye exam and telehealth, are delivered at the school-based clinic.

“When students have access to physical and mental health support at school, they are better positioned to learn, grow and thrive,” said Ryan R. Hawkins, president and CEO of JTCHS. “We’re grateful for the continued partnership and investment that allow JTCHS to provide access to school-based health services and support more students and families.”

The conference brought together education and health leaders, along with community partners, underscoring a shared commitment to improving student health, wellness and academic success.

JTCHS provides school health services to 60 Miami-Dade County Public and charter schools. In partnership with The Children’s Trust, the Miami-Dade County Health Department and Miami-Dade County Public Schools, JTCHS has steadily expanded its reach since 2006—growing from 12 schools to 60 by 2023, when its School Health Services Program received The Children’s Trust Program of the Year Award. Beginning in the 2025–2026 school year, JTCHS expanded its services to 60 schools as part of a five-year growth initiative.

The JTCHS School Health Services program places multidisciplinary teams in schools, including nurse practitioners, registered nurses and licensed clinical social workers, to deliver essential services such as:

• Comprehensive school health and nursing services and medical screenings
• Behavioral health services
• Tailored, schoolwide preventive health education
• Telehealth services connecting students to physicians and additional medical staff

Parental awareness and consent for all available services are crucial to ensure students receive the intended care. To view a complete list of participating schools, please visit jtchs.org/locations

About JTCHS

The Jessie Trice Community Health System, Inc. is one of Miami-Dade County’s preeminent federally qualified community health care centers, governed by a remarkably dedicated Board of Directors (51% of which are users of the medical and dental services) and an incredibly talented, committed family of providers and staff. JTCHS knows and specializes in comprehensive health, offering a myriad of services to improve the health of the community. This includes: dentistry, family medicine, nutrition, behavioral health, transportation, pharmacy, healthy start, obstetric & gynecological care, school-based health, community health promotions, health & wellness center, pediatrics, and ancillary services. For more information on the Jessie Trice Community Health System, call 305-637-6400 or visit jtchs.org . In addition, to stay connected with news and information about their services and facilities, follow Jessie Trice Community Health System on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram @JessieTriceCHS. 

Photo Captions

Photo 1: Members of the Jessie Trice Community Health System team at The Children’s Trust HealthConnect conference. From left: Toni Thompson, executive vice president and chief ambulatory officer; Joanne Pierre, director of school health; Ruby Tapia, nurse; Ruth Duval, executive vice president and chief clinical officer; Ryan R. Hawkins, president and CEO; and Tania Porto, nurse. (Photo by Ricardo Reyes/Sonshine Communications)

Photo 2: Ruby Tapia, a nurse with Jessie Trice Community Health System, demonstrates school-based health services for Evangelina Gonzalez, during The Children’s Trust HealthConnect conference at Spanish Lakes Elementary in Hialeah. (Photo by Ricardo Reyes/Sonshine Communications)

Photo 3: Education, health and community leaders came together for the HealthConnect news conference, marking an important step forward in expanding school-based health services across Miami-Dade. (Photo by Ricardo Reyes/Sonshine Communications)

Photo 4: Members of Jessie Trice Community Health System, from left: Joanne Pierre, director of school health; Toni Thompson, executive vice president and chief ambulatory officer; Ruth Duval, executive vice president and chief clinical officer; and Ryan R. Hawkins, president and CEO, during The Children’s Trust HealthConnect conference at Spanish Lakes Elementary School in Hialeah.