Putting Health Care Where Kids Are

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Putting Health Care Where Kids Are in
School!
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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.

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What is a school health center?

• Delivers primary medical care - basic medical
  services like any doctors 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

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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
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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

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What types of services do school health centers
provide?
Service Clinics
Screenings 91
Immunizations 82
Comprehensive health assessment 82
Prescriptions for medications 81
Asthma treatment 80
Treatment of acute illness 79
Nutrition counseling 78
Behavioral risk assessment 70
Assessment of psychological development 55
Reproductive health counseling and/or testing 45
Dental screenings 47
Mental health therapy 42
Dental preventative care 14
Services Provided at California School Health
Centers (N105)

National Assembly on School-Based Health Care,
2004-2005 Census
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School health centers put health care where the
kids are.
Berkeley High School Health Center
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Relationship between Health Status and Academic
Performance¹
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.
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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

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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

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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

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Governors 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

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Parents and teachers team up for student success
Teachers can focus on teaching, and students
can learn.
Fremont High, Oakland, CA Tiger Health Clinic
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• California School
• Health Centers Association
• 510-268-1260
• info_at_schoolhealthcenters.org
• www.schoolhealthcenters.org