School-Based Health Center Program

The purpose of the School-Based Health Center Program is to provide easy access to preventive and primary health care for school-age children at their local elementary, middle, or high school. These centers are operated and administered by a community-based healthcare clinic in their area.

Each center is located within the school building, or on the school campus. When the school is closed, the student may seek care at the healthcare clinic which operates their school's center.

Currently funding is provided through the Division of Primary Care to 36 school-based health centers serving 45 schools in 18 counties, making health services available to over 25,000 students. Also, funding is provided to one more primary care organization which supplies referrals to the students at 3 high schools in their county. Additional centers are planning to open soon.

Each student receiving services at a school-based health center must be enrolled with written parental permission. Follow-up with the parent/guardian is conducted at the time of service, or immediately following.

Services which may be provided by a school-based health center include:

• Preventive education
• Yearly physicals
• Immunizations
• Chronic disease management
• Check-ups
• Acute and intermediate care
• Oral health
• Mental health
• Counseling
• Ancillary and enabling services

No school-based health center services are provided without fully informed parental consent.