ELKHART, Ind. -- Elkhart Community Schools has received the Smile America Partners 2026 Children’s Health Champion Award, a national honor recognizing leadership in improving healthcare access for students.

The award was presented by Smile America Partners and Indiana Dental Outreach, which has partnered with Elkhart Community Schools since 2003 to provide in-school dental care. Through the partnership, Indiana Dental Outreach dental teams visit every school in the district, providing preventive and restorative care to students inside the school setting.

Elkhart Community Schools was recognized for its long-term, districtwide commitment to helping students receive dental care during the school day. The program helps remove common barriers for families, including transportation, scheduling challenges and time away from work. It also helps reach children who might otherwise go without dental care.

In Indiana, 56% of children covered by Medicaid or CHIP do not receive annual dental care, according to the American Dental Association’s Health Policy Institute. Elkhart Community Schools’ full-district participation helps bring care directly to children who need it.

“Elkhart Community Schools has shown what’s possible when educators, health professionals and community partners work together to support children,” said Steve Higginbotham, CEO of Smile America Partners. “Elkhart’s districtwide commitment sends a powerful message: Student health matters. By bringing dental care into schools, Elkhart is helping more children stay healthy and ready to learn.”

The Smile America Partners Children’s Health Champion Award recognizes individuals and organizations that demonstrate exceptional leadership, innovation and dedication to improving healthcare access within the school setting. The award is now in its third year. Previous honorees were individuals in the Los Angeles Unified School District and Prince George’s County Public Schools in Maryland.

“Elkhart Community Schools is grateful for this recognition and for our ongoing partnership with Indiana Dental Outreach,” said Michele A. Riise, interim superintendent of Elkhart Community Schools. “We deeply value this collaboration and the difference it makes for our students and families. When dental care is available during the school day, it eases the burden on families and strengthens the support system around each child.”

About the Children’s Health Champion Award

Smile America Partners’ Children’s Health Champion Award recognizes individuals and organizations that demonstrate exceptional leadership in advancing healthcare access within schools. Now in its third year, the award honors those who improve student well-being through innovative programs, strong partnerships and a commitment to health equity. Recipients exemplify collaboration between schools, health professionals and community partners to ensure children receive the care and support they need to thrive academically and personally.

About Elkhart Community Schools

Elkhart Community Schools serves approximately 10,000 students across 20 schools in Elkhart, Indiana. Guided by its focus on Academics, Arts, and Athletics, the district is committed to preparing every student for success in college, career, and life. Students benefit from dual credit opportunities, strong counseling and student support services, competitive athletic programs in the Northern Indiana Conference, and career and technical education through the Elkhart Area Career Center, one of the leading career centers in the state of Indiana.

About Smile America Partners

Headquartered in Farmington Hills, Mich., with additional administrative offices in Arizona, Smile America Partners is the world’s leading Dental Service Organization (DSO) specializing in portable and mobile dentistry. Its mission is to bring smiles and good oral health where they are needed. Working with dental practice partners, they bring the care to the need to 370,000 underserved children annually at 8,000 schools in 20 states across America under the brand names Big Smiles, Smile Programs … the mobile dentists (Indiana Dental Outreach), Smile New York Outreach, Help A Child Smile, and ToothSavers. Learn more at SmileAmericaPartners.com.

Pictured, from left, are Steve Higginbotham; Kelsey Rockstroh, district health services coordinator; Michele A. Riise, interim superintendent; and Lindsey Brander, director of student services.