Role of SBHCs

School-based health centers provide convenient comprehensive, preventive and primary physical and behavioral health services for public school children at the school site. Since students perform better when they show up for class, healthy, and ready to learn, school-based health centers (SBHCs) bring the healthcare services to the school. This helps students avoid health-related absences and to get support to succeed in the classroom. SBHCs may vary based on community need and resources, but they also share common characteristics. SBHCs:

• Are located in schools or on school grounds
• Work cooperatively within the school to become an integral part of the school.
• Provide a comprehensive range of services that meet the specific physical and behavioral health needs of the young people in the community.
• Employ a multidisciplinary team of providers to care for the students: nurse practitioners, registered nurses, physician assistants, social workers, physicians, alcohol and drug counselors, and other health professionals.
• Require parents to sign written consents for their children to enroll in the SBHC
• Have an advisory board consisting of community representatives, parents, youth, and family organizations, to provide planning and oversight
  
  

Information collected by the National Assembly on School Based Health Care (NASBHC) http://www.nasbhc.org/.

Benefits of SHBCs

School-based health centers are a powerful approach for addressing child and teen health problems and reducing risk factors that affect school performance.

Research studies have shown SBHCs to:

• Improve access to care
• Facilitate higher compliance with required immunizations and physical exams
• Reduce absenteeism from school
• Reduce the use of expensive emergency room care
• Families benefit because:
• Parents miss less time from work due to reduced travel time
• Families are informed of the importance of preventive health care services
• Access to affordable care for school-aged children
• Schools and communities benefit:
• SBHCs support the schools’ educational mission.
• Students appreciate services that are uniquely tailored to meet their needs
• Students are in school and ready to learn
• Concerns are addressed promptly

SBHC Services

• Comprehensive physical examinations, including sports physicals
• Preventive health services, including immunizations and health screenings
• Behavioral health services including assessment, counseling services, and referral
• Treatment for acute minor illness and injury
• Management of chronic diseases, including diabetes and asthma

(Information collected by the Colorado Association for School Based Health Care, http://www.csbhc.org)