What is a School-Based Health Center (SBHC)?
An SBHC is a student-focused health center located in or adjacent to a school where students can receive integrated medical, mental health, and other healthcare services such as dental care.
SBHCs, while often existing within the school, are distinct from school-based health services such as nurses or school-employed social workers. Read more about school-health services.
School-Based Health Care in Washington
School-based health care can be provided in any number of different ways, depending on the needs and resources of a community and school district. Developing a school-based health center is community-driven and shaped by the feedback of each unique school and district, leading to a diverse landscape of SBHCs in Washington.
With partners, we developed a snapshot of School-Based Health Care in Washington to provide a high-level view of how school health services, school-based health services, and school-based health centers serve our students in Washington state.
How are SBHCs operated and funded?
Collaboration & Management
SBHCs are a collaboration between the community, the school, and a healthcare sponsor. The healthcare sponsor can be, for example, a community health center, hospital or healthcare system, public health department, or tribal program. The sponsor staffs and manages operations of the SBHC.
Funding
SBHCs may be funded through a mix of public funding, private donations, the community benefit contribution of healthcare sponsors, public and private insurance billing, and in-kind support from school districts and schools.
Staffing
SBHCs are staffed according to school community needs and resources. SBHCs typically include at minimum a primary care provider, mental healthcare provider, and a clinic coordinator. Dental and other health professionals may also provide services at the SBHC.
Hours of Operation
SBHCs are open during the school day to serve students where they already spend much of their time–at school. Ideally a SBHC has a consistent presence in the school, open for as many days of the week as students need and resources allow. Some SBHCs are also open outside of school hours to serve families, school staff, or community members.
Insurance Enrollment & Care Coordination
SBHCs help students and families enroll in insurance and connect with a primary care provider and other specialty providers as needed. SBHCs coordinate care with other community service providers to ensure efficient and effective care.
School Community Collaboration
SBHCs are integrated within the school community to optimize student and school-wide wellness. The SBHC care team collaborates with students, families, teachers, the school nurse, counselors, other staff and school leadership to support student development and academic success.
What services do SBHCs provide?
Primary Care
SBHCs provide comprehensive primary medical care that may include preventive well-child care, health screening and education, sports physicals, immunizations, management of chronic medical conditions, treatment of illness or injury, laboratory services, prescription of medication, reproductive health services, and referrals.
Integrated Whole-Child Care
Ideally SBHCs offer an integrated model of primary medical care and mental health counseling to address the needs of the whole child. SBHCs may also include dental or vision care, substance abuse services, nutrition counseling, and school-wide health education. Some SBHC services may be provided through mobile or telehealth programs.
Complementary Care to School Services
SBHCs provide physical, mental, dental and other health services beyond the scope of the school nurse, supporting and complementing—not replacing—the school nurse role in student health. SBHC providers and the school nurse work collaboratively to improve student health and academic outcomes.
School nurses, counselors, social workers and psychologists; licensed behavioral health providers; health outreach services; and school-based health centers may all work together in one school or school district, collaborating to provide critical services and support to students.
See this one-pager about the collaboration between school nurses and school-based health centers in Washington.
Prevention & Wellness
SBHCs are a resource for prevention, wellness, and health promotion throughout the school community. SBHC clinicians can also serve as professional resources to school staff, including nurses and health teachers.
Who is served by SBHCs?
SBHC Locations
SBHCs are typically located in schools where students have socioeconomic, geographic, or other barriers to accessing healthcare in the community. While SBHCs in Washington are predominantly located in either urban or rural communities, any school where a need for services and resources is identified could see benefits from a SBHC.
Eligibility for Services
SBHC services are available to all students in the school. In some cases, SBHCs also serve students from other schools in the district, families of students, school staff, or community members.
Enrollment & Consent
SBHC enrollment operates as any other clinic in the community, just more conveniently for students and their families. Students must be enrolled by their families to receive the full range of services provided by the SBHC; every effort is made to involve students’ families in their care. According to Washington state’s minor consent laws, students not enrolled in the SBHC by their families may access confidential reproductive or behavioral health services if available in the SBHC.