NASBHC's mission is to
improve the health status
of children and youth
by advancing and advocating
for school-based health care
1100 G Street, NW, Suite 735
Washington, DC 20005
Tel: (202) 638-5872
Fax: (202)638-5879
Email: info@nasbhc.org
CFC#: 64337
About School-Based Health Care
Bringing the Doctor's Office into Schools
Students perform better when they show up for class, healthy and ready to learn. School-based health centers (SBHCs) bring the doctor's office to the school so students avoid health-related absences and get support to succeed in the classroom. SBHCs may vary based on community need and resources. For instance, some communities rely on mobile health centers, a type of SBHC with a traveling health care team that rotates from school to school. But they also share common characteristics. SBHCs:
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Are located in schools or on school grounds.
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Work cooperatively within the school to become an integral part of the school.
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Provide a comprehensive range of services that meet the specific physical and behavioral health needs of the young people in the community.
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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.
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Provide clinical services through a qualified health provider such as a hospital, health department, or medical practice.
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Require parents to sign written consents for their children to receive the full scope of services provided at the SBHC.
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Have an advisory board consisting of community representatives, parents, youth, and family organizations, to provide planning and oversight.
Alternative Model: School-Linked Health Centers
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Located off school grounds
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Often serve more than one school
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Established methods of referral, communication, and follow-up with SBHC partners
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Often extended hours beyond school day
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Often broader scope of services than SBHCs
A Day in the Life
Spend a day in the life of a school-based health center in Central Maine, and read about their Student Advisory Commitee's visit to Washington, DC to advocate for SBHCs.
Follow the Progress of a SBHC:
Interested in learning more about how a SBHC gets up and running? Click here to follow the progress of a planning committee in Alexandria, VA as they get their Teen Wellness Center off the ground.
Read the Article:
"School-Based Health Care: Why it is Common Sense," SEEN Magazine, Spring 2010
"School-Based Health Care: How it is Funded," SEEN Magazine, Fall 2010