May 16, 2025

Greetings Parent/Guardian:

As a student at Westside Middle School Academy, your child is eligible to receive medical and mental health services offered during school hours through an on-site CIFC Health School Based Health Center (SBHC).

CIFC Health SBHC is different from the school nurse office and school guidance/social work office, as it is staffed by an outside, non-profit entity, CIFC Health. CIFC Health is a federally qualified health center with headquarters in Danbury and has SBHCs throughout the region. CIFC Health Site at Rogers Park Middle School, is staffed with a licensed nurse practitioner, clinical social worker, and front desk registrar who is available to provide[s] care to your child just as a private doctor or mental health provider’s office would. CIFC Health SBHC can serve as a primary care provider (PCP) to your child if your child not does have a PCP or can supplement the work of your child’s primary care doctor by offering services on site at school and by diagnosing and treating illnesses early without having to leave school. 

On-site medical services include:

Complete physical exams, vaccines, diagnose and treat common illnesses such as ear infections, headaches, pneumonia, rashes, strep throat, allergies, health education for nutrition, exercise, weight, asthma education, and inhaler refills. Providers can send prescriptions for medications directly to your pharmacy.

Mental health services include:

Assessment for individual, group, and/or parent family therapy, assistance with peer/family relationships, anxiety/depression, behavior problems, exposure to trauma/loss, poor academic performance/learning challenges, history of or current self-harm and suicidal ideation, and transition to new home/school location.

To use the above services, parent/guardian must complete, sign, and return to the SBHC, the attached 2-sided School-Based Health Center Permission Form, and attach a current copy of the front and back side of your child’s insurance card. All information must be completely entered into the form, or it will be returned to you.

As we are a healthcare provider subject to legal and regulatory compliance requirements, all insurances will be billed for all eligible medical or mental health visits, and invoices for co-pays and/or deductibles will be sent home following future scheduled visits. Again, this is because we are just like a regular doctor’s office that happens to be located in your child’s school.

If your child is not currently covered under a health insurance plan, please notify the SBHC and an appointment will be made with CIFC Financial & Insurance Assistance, for assistance with enrollment in the CT HUSKY Insurance Program, or to be placed on a sliding-fee scale payment plan, call 203-448-2668 with questions.

If you have any questions about the CIFC Health SBHC, please call 475-529-3200.

Completed CIFC Health SBHC Permission Forms can be faxed to Kathy Chiem at 475-529-3205 or emailed to chiemk@danbury.k12.ct.us

On behalf of the staff at Westside Middle School Academy CIFC Health SBHC, we look forward to assisting your child to be healthy, happy, and ready to learn!

 Isabela Rodrigues, LPC || Eileen Knox, APRN || Kathy Chiem, Front Desk/Administrative Assistant

“CIFC Health: Healthier You, Healthier Community.”

“CIFC: Strengthening Families, Building Communities .”