After eight years of service to the youth and Clarion community, the Clarion University Health Science Education Center will close its doors due to a cut in funding by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

Doug Watson, Project X coordinator at the center, said the last day for HSEC’s operation is today. Word of the Department of Health’s decision to cut programs was first reported last summer.
Most of the funds came through the Master Settlement Agreement from 1998 in which states were given millions of dollars for health related prevention efforts, specifically in the area of youth tobacco prevention, according to Watson.

This agreement was the same settlement that provided funding for an advocacy group called the American Legacy Foundation, which was responsible for the well-known anti-smoking “the Truth” campaigns.

With the center set to close, Watson reflected on many of the rewarding experiences he encountered in his time at HSEC.

“The most rewarding experience while working at the HSEC is knowing you have reached out not only to Clarion’s community but communities across the state,” he said.

The center was able to provide resources the students did not have in their classrooms. These resources were available to give students hands on learning experiences.

Such free programs the center provided included in-house programs such as “My Body-My Buddy,” for Kindergarten through second grades. This program educated students on the composition of the body and how to keep it healthy.

Another program, aimed at grades nine through 12, focused on “Good vs. Fad Advice.”  This program identified reasons why supplement is an unsafe way to enhance athletic performance.
The topics in this program gave positive guidance to youth who may mimic famous athletic role models. The HSEC also had the resources to visit local schools and provide similar workshops regarding health, according to the HSEC Web site.

The students outside Clarion’s community were primarily “at risk” or minority populations that come from difficult neighborhoods.

“The HSEC’s Leadership Academy gave these students an opportunity to see what there is outside their block or community,” Watson said.

“Since this program, I have developed pen-pals and communication lines where I still serve somewhat as a mentor for those students.”

In a last stand to provide funding for the center, a proposal was created for the Pepsi Refresh Project, which according to its Web site, “looks for people, businesses, and nonprofits with ideas that will have a positive impact.”

The proposal is online, and the idea with the most votes will be awarded $250,000. Currently, the HSEC is ranked 59th. Watson urged supporters to vote for the grant and said that as of April 1, there will be another Pepsi Grant proposal to help the Leadership Academy. He urged support for this grant as well.