Renton Student Health Hub now serves all 26 schools in the Renton School District.

The city of Renton, Renton School District and HCP OneHealthPort recently celebrated Renton Student Health Hub — a collaborative initiative aimed at improving student access to behavioral health and housing services — now serving all schools in the district.

“Our partnership with the City of Renton and HCP OneHealthPort to offer the Renton Student Health Hub is vital to our duty to educate every student. Ensuring students’ health, mental health, and social-emotional needs are met breaks down barriers that impede coming to school every day ready to learn,” Renton School District Superintendent Damien Pattenaude said.

After being screened by school district staff, students and families needing behavioral health assistance are connected to health providers while maintaining confidential information. The hub also keeps school district staff informed when students are served. The hub has connected more than 100 students to direct care to date.

“One of our city’s top priorities is investing in the well-being of our community,” Renton Mayor Armondo Pavone said. “The Renton Student Health Hub is a powerful example of upstream solutions in action — meeting students where they are and supporting their health before challenges become crises. Together, we’re building the infrastructure needed to support our young people and provide early support at the first signs of challenges — when it’s needed.”

The city of Renton approved a contract with Health Commons Project to fund the Renton Student Health Hub on Nov. 25, 2024, for a total not to exceed $3,129,000 through 2026 using HB 1590 funds.The funding goes toward Health Commons Project’s development and operation of the hub, the salaries and benefits for 2.5 FTE social worker/case manager positions to support students and assist them in using the hub, and grants to local service providers to participate in the hub.

Pattenaude has previously said the Student Health Hub is supposed to serve as a “one-stop shop” for students, and counselors can work together to get the services and support students need. He said one of the unique aspects of the hub is the ability to tailor the support to what they learn from the students in the survey.

“That could be anything from a specific area of behavioral and/or mental health, it could be cultural needs, it could be language needs,” Pattenaude previously said. “Wherever the student and their family are at, we want to meet them there and help them get the supports that they deserve.”

HCP OneHealthPort works in conjunction with community providers including Akin, ACRS, Atlantic Street Center, Consejo, Kent Youth and Family Services, KSARC, Lutheran Community Services Northwest, Neighborhood House, Safe Crossings Foundation, Seneca, Sound, Valley Cities, and YMCA.

“HCP OneHealthPort is honored to partner with City of Renton, Renton School District and Renton’s incredible network of care providers to ensure all Renton Students can access the services they need to live their best lives,” HCP OneHealthPort co-founder and Director of Community Partnerships Adam Davis said.