Bringing Care to School: HealthFinders Launches New School Health Center at FHS

This fall, something big is happening at Faribault High School. Students will walk into a school year full of the usual routines: new classes, familiar hallways, and catching up with friends—but now they’ll have access to something many have never had before: a health center right inside the school. 

HealthFinders is proud to launch the HealthFinders School Health Center, a new space designed to bring medical, mental health, and dental care directly to students during the school day. It’s one more way HealthFinders is showing  up where students already are, providing care that’s easy, welcoming, and focused on their well-being. 

Why Create a Health Center at School? 

HealthFinders is all about access. That means breaking down barriers such as transportation, missed work, or lack of insurance. It also means creating care that meets people where they are. 

For many students in Faribault, getting to a clinic can be hard. Families juggle jobs and busy schedules. Some have limited transportation. Others face gaps in insurance or language. When care isn’t easy to reach, it often gets delayed or missed altogether. 

This school health center changes that. Students can be seen without leaving school. Parents don’t need to take time off work. No insurance? That’s okay. And because the HealthFinders team is working closely with school nurses, students will get seamless care and support, right when they need it. 

When care is accessible, students stay in class. They stay healthy. And they stay on track. 

“We know students do better when they feel well and supported,” says Charlie Mandile, HealthFinders’ Executive Director. “This health center brings care into a space where students already feel a sense of belonging. It’s a natural extension of our mission to meet people where they are—and make health care truly accessible.” 

What the Health Center Offers 

The HealthFinders School Health Center will provide a wide range of services in a temporary space this fall. Faribault Public Schools has been awarded funding to create a permanent clinic which will open in early 2026. Students can receive medical care like check-ups, help when they’re sick, and vaccines. Dental cleanings and screenings, mental health counseling, and support for substance use will also be offered. The center will provide health education and referrals to other services as well. 

It’s free or low-cost, and available to all students in grades 9–12 at Faribault High School (FHS), the Faribault Area Learning Center (ALC), and Faribault Online Academy (FOA). 

Built on Trust 

Opening a clinic inside a school is a big step—not just for HealthFinders, but for the community. Trust matters. 

That’s why HealthFinders has worked side-by-side with school leaders, teachers, and staff throughout the planning process. The team has listened to parents, talked with students, and taken care to be transparent every step of the way. 

HealthFinders values collaboration and trust as a foundation for how care is provided. The school health center is built as a partnership between  HealthFinders, schools, families, and students, working together to ensure everyone stays engaged, informed, and supported. That’s how trust is earned, and how it grows. 

“We’re meeting with students at open houses, local events, and connecting with families one-on-one,” says Wendy Sara, HealthFinders’ Community Engagement Coordinator. “We’re helping students get signed up now so that when they need care, they’re ready. No delays, no extra steps, just support.” 

A Big Step—And a Beginning 

This is HealthFinders’ first school health center and one of the first in greater Minnesota. But it’s not just a clinic. It’s a new chapter in how the organization cares for youth. 

Healthy students are stronger learners. And showing up—in the places people already are—makes the biggest difference. 

The HealthFinders School Health Center is care built on connection. Community-rooted. Student-focused.