Good Afternoon Steger School District 194 Families,

Steger School District 194 is excited to share that we are launching a new partnership with Aunt Martha’s Health & Wellness to expand access to high-quality healthcare services for our students. Research shows that school-based health services improve student attendance, increase access to care, and support better academic outcomes.

Beginning January 2026, this pilot program will provide both Telehealth and in-person medical services to all students in SD194. Students will have access to telehealth appointments 60 hours per week, year-round, for evaluation of non-emergency health concerns, treatment of common illnesses, prescription support when appropriate, and referrals to specialists or community resources. These services are designed to reduce absences, limit missed instructional time, and help keep students healthy and ready to learn.

In addition, students will receive priority access to Aunt Martha’s nearby clinics on Vincennes Avenue and Dixie Highway in Chicago Heights. Families will also benefit from dedicated care coordination: Aunt Martha’s Care Coordinator will oversee scheduling and follow-up, and SD194 Family Liaison Rebekah Miller will serve as the district’s point of contact to support smooth communication. Families may schedule appointments directly through the school, the care coordinators, or Aunt Martha’s.  In January we will share more information on how to directly connect with our care coordinators. 

It’s important to note that this partnership does not provide health insurance or coverage. Instead, it is designed to make accessing care easier, faster, and more convenient for families. By streamlining scheduling, offering Telehealth appointments, and providing priority access to local clinics, students can receive timely support for common health needs, mental health support, and referrals to specialists when needed without long waits to secure appointments or disruptions to learning.

To help set up this partnership and make services easier to access, the district will be sharing basic directory information with Aunt Martha’s, such as a list of student names.  If you would like to opt out of having your child’s directory information shared for this purpose, please email Melissa Cunha at mcunha@sd194.org by Monday, December 15.

We are excited for the positive impact this will have on our students’ well-being and learning, and we look forward to sharing more information as we prepare for the January 2026 launch.

Sincerely, 

Dr. Anthony McConnell

Superintendent