Fouke School receives $500,000 grant to start clinic
Fouke, Ark., will soon have a school-based health clinic thanks to a $500,000 grant from the Arkansas Department of Education.
"It is school-based, but it's for the community," said Dr. Jim Buie, Fouke School District superintendent. "This is huge for our community because there are no medical services in Fouke."
The clinic, a partnership between the school district and the University of Arkansas for Medical Services Texarkana, will provide mental health services as well as medical services.
The grant doesn't allow for new construction so school officials are planning to renovate a building already on the campus. Buie estimates the renovation will take about six months.
"We want to be in it by Christmastime," he said.
Fouke introduced a canine officer, Major, Tuesday. He will be used to detect narcotics in the school.
"If we identify kids with drug problems, counseling services will be available at this clinic," Buie said.