WPS families now have access to a brand-new health clinic near 71st and Federal designed to meet the physical and mental health needs of young people in the community. The Alto Clinic is the result of a unique relationship between the school district, Kids First Health Care and Maiker Housing Partners which provides affordable housing to people throughout the region. 

Superintendent Jeni Gotto represented the district at the ribbon cutting event on Friday, April 25th.

“Our tagline for Westminster Public Schools is ‘Where Education is Personal’ and there is nothing more personal than the physical and mental health of our students and their families,” said Dr. Gotto. “It is so hard … almost impossible to help students succeed in school when their basic health needs have not been met.” 

Dr. Gotto reminded the group that high absentee rates are directly tied to student health and that children who are chronically absent for multiple years between preschool and second grade are much less likely to read at grade level by the third grade. In addition, chronically absent students are four times less likely to graduate from high school.

The Denver Channel was also at the event and spoke with Dr. Gotto about the impact the clinic will have on WPS families and students.  

The clinic, which serves patients from birth to 21 years old, is located at 3075 West 71st Avenue in Westminster. It is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday hours are 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. 

Pediatric primary care services available include:

• Physical health – Well-child checkups, sports physicals, vaccines, reproductive health, sick visits, management of chronic disease such as asthma, and more.
• Mental health care – brief visits with a counselor, as well as one-on-one therapy.
• Enrollment in Medicaid and CHP+, and support accessing other immediate needs resources.

“This is about reaching more kiddos and providing access to care for all kiddos,” said Whitney Gustin Connor, Kids First Health Care Executive Director. 

The Alto clinic is also an important support system for students during the summer months when they don’t have access to their schools and nurses.

This summer the clinic is offering once a week Summer Wellness Classes with a focus on mental health and connectedness:

Mother Daughter Connection

June 2 to July 25
Thursdays 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. 
Ages 14 to 18 

Mother-daughter connection therapy group provides a supportive space to strengthen relationships, enhance communication, foster deeper understanding and create lasting positive change between mothers and daughters.

Social Skills and Self Love 

June 2 to July 25
Wednesdays 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. 
Ages 10 to 13
 
The Social Skills and Self-Love therapy group provides a supportive space for tweens and teens to develop key social skills and build a positive relationship with themselves.