Putting Health Care Where Kids Are … … in School!

The California School Health Centers Association (CSHC) CSHC

promotes the health of children and youth by increasing access to the high quality health care and support services provided by school health centers.

What is a school health center?

• Delivers primary medical care - basic medical services like any doctor’s office or clinic -

in collaboration with a school

• Located on campus or near a school site • May also provide mental health services, dental care, after school programs, clubs, nutrition programs, parent groups, etc.

• Works on school-wide issues like health education • Serves students and sometimes siblings, family members and the community

School health centers extend health care beyond the walls of the exam room

and provide a level of

comprehensive

service that pediatricians can rarely provide.

Manual Arts High School, Los Angeles, CA

There are 153 school health centers in California

• 42 in elementary schools • 14 in middle schools • 58 in high schools • 16 on mixed-grade campuses • 23 not on campus; “linked” or mobile vans

Services Provided at California School Health Centers (N=105) What types of services do school health centers provide?

Service % Clinics

Screenings Immunizations Comprehensive health assessment Prescriptions for medications Asthma treatment Treatment of acute illness Nutrition counseling Behavioral risk assessment Assessment of psychological development 91% 82% 82% 81% 80% 79% 78% 70% 55% Reproductive health counseling and/or testing Dental screenings Mental health therapy Dental preventative care 45% 47% 42% 14% National Assembly on School-Based Health Care, 2004-2005 Census

School health centers put health care where the kids are.

Berkeley High School Health Center

Relationship between Health Status and Academic Performance ¹

¹ Geierstranger SP, Amaral G.

School-Based Health Centers and Academic Performance: What is the intersection?

April 2004 Meeting Proceedings. White Paper. Washington, D.C: National Assembly on School-Based Health Care; 2005.

Research shows a positive impact from school health centers on student learning

• Reduced absences and tardiness • Increased promotion to the next grade • Decreased withdrawal/ drop out rates • Reduced disciplinary problems

School health centers work closely with parents and families to:

• Support healthy eating and physical activity • Manage chronic conditions such as asthma, and acute injuries or illness at school • Prevent unintentional injuries and violence • Support positive coping mechanisms and self-esteem • Prevent or reduce risky behaviors such as drug, tobacco or alcohol use and sexual activity • Enroll children and families in health insurance, if needed

How are school health centers financed?

• Space and utilities are typically contributed by the school • Third-party reimbursement – Child Health and Disability Program – Family PACT – Medi-Cal – Expanded Access to Primary Care – Healthy Families • Public and private grants • No financial support from the state

Governor’s White Paper on School-Based Health Centers

“

Administration will work with healthcare and education stakeholders and legislative leaders to develop an initiative to support and expand SBHCs to 500 elementary schools.”

-- 2006

Parents and teachers team up for student success:

Teachers can focus on teaching, and students can learn. Fremont High, Oakland, CA Tiger Health Clinic

California School Health Centers Association

510-268-1260 [email protected]

www.schoolhealthcenters.org