School-Based Health Alliance

The School-Based Health Alliance (SBHA) is a membership organization that promotes and supports school-based health centers (SBHCs) to assure that all children and adolescents receive high quality, comprehensive health care. The School-Based Health Alliance's motto, Redefining Health for Kids and Teens, demonstrates its belief that school-based health centers greatly enhance access to health care for all school-aged children and youth.

About

The School-Based Health Alliance (SBHA) was founded in 1995 and is the national voice for school-based health centers (SBHCs). Built from the grassroots up by individuals from state and federal government agencies, national and regional foundations, child health and education organizations, and SBHCs, we are a true reflection of the field we support. The School-Based Health Alliance advocates for national policies, programs, and funding to expand and strengthen SBHCs, while also supporting the movement with training and technical assistance

Vision

All children and adolescents are healthy and achieving at their fullest potential.

Mission

To improve the health status of children and youth by advancing and advocating for school-based health care.

Core Values

The School-Based Health Alliance believes that:

• Children and adolescents need high quality, accessible, culturally competent, comprehensive health care.
• The school setting is a sensible and appropriate place to deliver health care because that is where the students are.
• Ideally, the full scope of services is provided directly in a SBHC; alternative models may be dictated by resources and the needs of the community.
• SBHCs reduce health inequities and improve health outcomes for underserved youth.
• SBHCs should be fairly reimbursed for the high-quality health services they provide.

About SBHCs

Students perform better when they show up for class healthy and ready to learn. School-based health centers (SBHCs) ensure that kindergarteners through high schoolers can get a flu shot, have an annual physical, have their teeth examined and their eyes checked, or speak to a mental health counselor in a safe, nurturing place – without the barriers that families too often face.

SBHCs exist at the intersection of education and health and are the caulk that prevents children and adolescents from falling through the cracks. They provide care – primary health, mental health and counseling, family outreach, and chronic illness management – without concern for the student’s ability to pay and in a location that meets students where they are: at school.

SBHCs may vary based on community need and resources.

Common Characteristics of SBHCs

• 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.
• Provide clinical services through a qualified health provider such as a hospital, health department, or medical practice.
• Require parents to sign written consents for their children to receive the full scope of services provided at the SBHC.
• Have an advisory board consisting of community representatives, parents, youth, and family organizations, to provide planning and oversight.

Advancing School-Based Health Care

The School-Based Health Alliance is here to equip the school-based health community with best practices in advancing school-based health care. Whether you are starting a new center, or are looking to expand, the Alliance offers technical assistance (TA), individualized planning, and training to help you build capacity and sustainability for your SBHC.

Advocacy

The School-Based Health Alliance advocates for national, state, and local policies, programs and funding that sustain, grow, and integrate school-based health care into our nation’s health care and education systems. The Alliance’s advocacy power is derived from the field – the thousands of passionate and committed school-based health care professionals, consumers and advocates across the nation who are the heart of this grassroots movement.

A 2007 survey, conducted on behalf of The W.K. Kellogg Foundation, published by Lake Research Partners, indicated that 71% of voters support the idea of providing health care in schools. This support crosses racial and partisan lines.

External links

• School-Based Health Alliance home page
• Information on federal legislation
• Information on W.K. Kellogg Foundation study