Milwaukee, OR—As students across the state return for a new school year, Governor Kate Brown visited two schools today that are taking innovative approaches to addressing student health and wellness, in addition to academic success.

The Governor visited Harmony Academy in Lake Oswego, the state’s only high school dedicated to working with students recovering from substance use disorders. She also visited Lewelling Elementary in Milwaukee, which has used state, federal, and local funding to invest in critical health and wellness support for students, including additional nursing staff, mental and behavioral health support, and culturally-specific and relevant books for the school’s library.

“I’d like to thank the students, staff, and educators of Harmony Academy and Lewelling Elementary for welcoming me to their schools today,” said Governor Kate Brown. “Every single student in Oregon deserves the chance for lifelong success. The students I met today are truly inspirational for their strength and resilience––and I am committed to continuing to work with school leaders to ensure all our students have the social, emotional, nutritional, mental, behavioral, and academic support they need to heal, grow, and thrive. I am glad to see that schools are using available state funds to expand the services they provide to address student health and wellbeing.”