Partnering with School-Based Health Centers: What Schools Need to Know Handbook for School Personnel

Introduction

The Illinois Coalition for School Health Centers (ICSHC), in collaboration with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS), is proud to present this handbook, Partnering with School-Based Health Centers: What Schools Need to Know. The information in this reference guide is intended for all school personnel, from the principal to the security guard, who are part of a school that has a school-based health center (SBHC) in its building or on its grounds.

Rationale

The impetus for this handbook came from Chicago Elev8 principals who requested written guidelines for working with their SBHCs. They were specifically interested in general information on SBHCs, school roles and responsibilities relative to the SBHC, and basic policies and procedures to help create and maintain strong school – SBHC partnerships. It is our hope that this handbook will encourage stronger collaboration between schools and SBHCs located in their schools.

Format

Though much of the information contained in this handbook is specific to the Chicago Elev8 schools, we have tried to create a format that is user-friendly and easily adapted to the policies and protocols of schools and school districts across the nation. In addition to general information and links to related resources, we have provided documents, such as PowerPoint presentations and FAQs that can be used to raise awareness with school personnel, families and community stakeholders.

Table of Contents
Chapter 1: What is a School-Based Health Center (SBHC)?
Chapter 2: How can the school and school-based health center (SBHC) develop and maintain an ongoing partnership?
Chapter 3: How can school personnel successfully partner with the school-based health center (SBHC) staff?
Chapter 4: What laws, policies, and guidance impact schools and school-based health centers (SBHCs)? 
Chapter 5: Resources

Acknowledgements

This handbook was made possible with the support of the Atlantic Philanthropies and the National Assembly on School-Based Health Care.

Thanks to members of the handbook workgroup who pulled it all together: Brenda Bannor, Janice Fowler, Divya Mohan Little, Virginia Montgomery and Sue Murray. Special thanks to Vivian Barrett, Susan Hildebrand, Andrea Kuebbeler and Jill Sproat who added key support. We also want to thank the staff at the Chicago Elev8 schools, particularly the principals, who provided important input throughout the project.

Be sure to listen to the webinar on this great handbook.