Health Services for Bowling Green Independent School District (BGISD) students and employees will be provided by CAYA Collaborative Care, Inc. beginning August 1st for the 2026-2027 school year. This agreement ensures that comprehensive medical care remains accessible across the district.
The BGISD Health Services Program began in 2019 when the district partnered with Graves Gilbert Clinic, establishing a baseline of care that included school nurses and a walk-in clinic managed by an onsite Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN). At the end of May 2026, Graves Gilbert Clinic informed Superintendent Gary Fields that it would be ending its health services partnership with the district.
Following that decision, Joe Dan Beavers, President and CEO of CAYA, committed to providing all health services for the district—including the opportunity to employ all nine nurses serving BGISD, plus an additional nursing position to serve the Bowling Green Learning Center.
“We are incredibly proud to expand our relationship with BGISD to ensure that no student or staff member faces a gap in care,” said Joe Dan Beavers, President and CEO of CAYA. “Our goal is to not only provide a great service but also to set a model for school-based health, integrating primary care and behavioral health directly into the educational environment.”
BGISD has a long-standing history of collaboration with the organization, formerly known as LifeSkills, Inc. as the organization has provided mental health counseling and behavioral support across all schools.
In May 2026, LifeSkills, Inc. announced its official transition and rebranding to CAYA Collaborative Care, Inc. Inspired by the phrase, “Come As You Are,” the name CAYA reflects the organization’s core belief that individuals seeking care should feel welcomed, accepted, and supported exactly as they are.
Furthermore, in early 2026, the organization achieved designation as a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC). This licensure allows CAYA to operate both primary medical care and behavioral health care simultaneously during the school day, offering holistic support for the BGISD community.
“We understand the vital importance of health services to the success of our students, as well as the importance of school nurses as valued individuals in our district,” said Superintendent Gary Fields. “When our previous partnership concluded, CAYA stepped up without hesitation to employ our nursing team and maintain our healthcare pipeline. We are excited to expand our partnership with an organization that champions the well-being of our entire school family.”
As BGISD transitions to CAYA, employees and families should expect little to no difference in the day-to-day medical services provided within the schools. Daily school health functions will remain fully operational, including:
The delivery and management of student medications
Standard first-aid and medical triage
Direct access to an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) via telemedicine services
Onsite laboratory screenings for flu, strep, and COVID-19 with immediate results
Billing practices and electronic health records will also remain in place as the district transitions to CAYA’s secure network.
Essential care will continue to be provided to all eligible students and employees regardless of income or insurance status.