School Health Connection (SHC) is a regional collaborative effort formed after Hurricane Katrina to support the rebuilding and expansion of School Based Health Centers (SBHCs) in the metro New Orleans area. SHC collaborative partners include local and state government and school systems, universities, medical institutions, foundations, and community partners. In 2006, School Health Connection received limited funding to support the construction of SBHCs and enhance physical and behavioral health services. The Louisiana Public Health Institute (LPHI) administers funds provided by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation on behalf of School Health Connection.

SHC’s goal is to improve overall health of students and school communities. SHC coordinates the development and rebuilding of SBHCs housed within the New Orleans Metropolitan area, including Orleans, St. Bernard, Plaquemines and Jefferson Parishes. This work was initiated through an $8.7 Million W.K. Kellogg Foundation grant award to the Louisiana Public Health Institute(LPHI) to develop and coordinate SHC. In addition, SHC has received two additional grant awards from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, one which focuses on school-based behavioral health and the other will aim to improve SBHC financial sustainability and clinic quality by implementing electronic medical record technology in school clinics. SHC works with a Steering Committee of health care providers, school officials and other stakeholders to rebuild School-Based Health Centers (SBHCs), achieve a higher standard of care in SBHCs, and identify strategies to ensure the sustainability of SBHCs in the Metro area.

SHC Steering Committee:
~ City of New Orleans
~ Jefferson Parish Human Services Authority
~ Jefferson Parish Public School System
~ The Louisiana Assembly of School Based Health Care
~ Louisiana Department of Education – Recovery School District
~ Louisiana Office of Public Health – Adolescent School Health Program
~ Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center
~ Methodist Health System Foundation, Inc.
~ Metropolitan Human Services District
~ Orleans Parish School Board
~ Seton Resource Center for Child Development, A Program of Daughters of Charity Services of New Orleans
~ Tulane University Health Sciences Center