What is a School Based Health Center (SBHC)?
SBHCs are comprehensive primary care facilities located in or on the grounds of schools. They are licensed by DPH as outpatient or hospital satellite clinics. SBHCs assure that students, particularly those that are uninsured and underinsured, have access to comprehensive health and preventative services needed to be healthy, in school, and ready to learn. SBHCs help schools do their job of educating by improving the health and well-being of students and addressing the health issues that interfere with learning. Click here to learn more on Public Act 15-59.
Who do SBHCs serve?
SBHCs may serve students, Pre K-12, and are located in elementary, middle, and high schools as well as in combination schools where two schools are located in one facility (elementary and middle school or middle and high school). Eligible students are those that attend the schools in which the SBHC is located. SBHC services are aimed at, but not limited to, students who do not have access to a family doctor, or whose families have little or no health insurance. Although services are available to all students regardless of insurance status or ability to pay, written consent signed by the parent/guardian is required to receive care.
What Services are available?
Primary care, mental health, health promotion activities, and dental services (at select SBHCs) are provided at school based health centers. A team of licensed medical and mental/behavioral health professionals with expertise in child and adolescent health provide primary care, mental/behavioral health services and health education/promotion activities designed to meet the physical and psycho-social needs of children and youth within the context of family, culture, and environment. In some instances, dental care is also offered.
How is a SBHC different from the school nurse's office?
A SBHC is a fully-licensed primary care facility, providing a range of physical and mental health services, and in some sites, dental services. SBHCs and school nurses work closely together, with school nurses able to refer students to the SBHC to resolve student health problems.
Department of Public Health funded School Based Health Center Contractors
2013-2014 School Based Health Center Results Based Accountability Report Cards - Click Here
2014-2015 School Based Health Center Results Based Accountability Report Cards - Click Here
2015-2016 School Based Health Center Results Based Accountability Report Cards - Click Here
School Based Health Center Advisory Committee
Public Act 13-287 establishes a school-based health center advisory committee for the purpose of advising the Commissioner of Public Health on matters relating to (1) statutory and regulatory changes to improve health care through access to school-based health centers, and (2) minimum standards for the provision of services in school-based health centers to ensure that high quality health care services are provided in school-based health care centers. The act requires the DPH Commissioner to report to the Public Health and Education Committees annually on or before February 1, 2014 and annually thereafter regarding the status of behavioral health services in school-based health centers, and on committee activities. For more information on CGS Section 19a-6i click here.
SBHC Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
SBHC Advisory Committee Reports
School Based Health Center Advisory Report November 2018
School Based Health Center Advisory Report February 15, 2017
School Based Health Center Advisory Report February 16, 2016
School Based Health Center Advisory Report January 30, 2015
Links