Frequently Asked Questions about School-Based Health Centers

For a PDF copy of these FAQs, please contact info@wasbha.org.

1. What is a school-based health center?
   • A school-based health center (SBHC) is one model of school-based health that is a partnership between a school and a federally qualified health center (FQHC), hospital system, non-profit healthcare organization, health department and/or tribal community to provide age-appropriate primary medical and behavioral health care from a licensed provider to the school community in a centrally located clinic in, or adjacent to, an elementary, middle, or high school. 

2. Why are school-based health centers important?
   • Research has shown that school-based health centers (SBHCs) improve utilization of health care services, health outcomes, attendance, grades, and graduation rates. This in turn improves prospects for lifelong health, educational attainment, and economic opportunity.

3. Who can use a school-based health center?
   • 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
   • SBHCs prioritize serving the students in that building or across the school district. 

4. What services do school-based health centers offer? 
   All SBHCs are unique in the services they provide. For an updated list of all services provided at your SBHC, please refer to their individual webpage.
   • Regular preventative visits, including regular child well check visits and sports physicals.
   • School district mandated health requirements, including Student Health Plans for serious allergy and/or school-required vaccines.
   • Check-ups and responsive care when a student is sick. 
   • Ongoing care support for chronic health conditions, such as diabetes or asthma. 
   • Behavioral health support and counseling for students. 
   • Dental and vision care.

5. What is the difference between a school-based health center and a school nurse?
   • Both school-based health center providers and school nurses play a vital role in ensuring the health and wellbeing of students in a school setting, and work hand-in-hand in caring for students. SBHCs provide primary care services that support and complement the school nurse role. 
   • The school nurse maintains their primary role of responding to acute illnesses and injuries, administering medications, and triaging health needs.

6. Is it mandatory to sign up for a school-based health center?
   • No. Utilizing the SBHC for care is entirely optional. SBHCs aim to boost school attendance, minimize time away from school, and foster healthy, flourishing school environments; accessing care at the SBHC significantly contributes to these objectives.

7. Do students need parental permission to be seen at a school-based health center? 
   • 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.
   • SBHCs follow the same laws and guidelines for parental consent and release of health information as any other healthcare provider/healthcare organization in the community. 

8. If my child has private insurance, what does that mean for their care/my premiums?
   • All visits to school-based health centers are treated the same as if they were to visit any other healthcare provider in your community. The goal of school-based health is to provide care to young people who need it and attempt to provide services whenever possible, regardless of ability to pay. 

9. Do school-based health centers provide abortions?
   • No. SBHCs do not provide abortions.

10. If I have a question about my child’s care at the SBHC, who do I contact?
    • Contact the SBHC directly.