SPOKANE, Wash. — Local parents met with healthcare officials Monday night about a new respite facility near a Spokane high school.
Parents of students at Lewis and Clark High School were concerned for their kids’ safety when they learned a new medical center had opened across the street from the school. They also said they were given little notice about the new facility.
“I was particularly concerned about if they had any patients over there that had an anger management issue in the past, or if they had violent patients over there,” said Lewis and Clark High School parent, Jennifer Prime.
The Jewels Healing Hearts Medical Center respite facility opened inside the Westminster United Church of Christ. It’s purpose is to give people being discharged from the hospital a place to recover if they have nowhere else to go.
Monday night’s meeting brought parents and representatives from the facility together to address concerns and talk about the future.
School administrators said they intend to build a good relationship with their new neighbors.
“It’s going to take time and I think time means that there will be more meetings and conversations about how we can continue to be good neighbors and support each other,” said Lewis and Clark Principal, Ivan Corley.
Prime said she felt better about student safety after learning how the facility screens new patients.
“No sex offenders are located at this facility, nor will they be allowed here. Nobody that’s in acute drug rehab is allowed in this facility. If they’re stable, they are okay here,” she said.
Local nonprofit, Jewels Helping Hands, one of the facility’s representative organizations, said they plan to work with the school and parents to make sure students feel safe.
The facility is already planning to change when patients are allowed outside so it’s not at the same time as when students are let out of school.
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