What are the Benefits of a School-Based Health Center?
- Research consistently has demonstrated that healthy students are better learners. There are strong positive correlations between the services offered in a School-Based Health Center and students' school attendance, academic performance, and school behavior.
- The unmet health care needs of students are met by placing health care at school where the students are most comfortable and have immediate access.
- The Center provides on-site primary health care services, health promotion, disease prevention education, and referral services.
- The health status of students is improved through easy access to routine physical and sports exams, immunizations, care for acute and chronic illness, support for mental health issues, and health education.
- A positive and healthy school climate is supported by helping students stay in school through early identification and treatment of health concerns that may interfere with the learning process. More students come to school ready to learn because health barriers quickly will be addressed.
- Parents will be able to stay at work while their child's health needs are addressed by our staff.
- Unnecessary visits by students to hospitals or urgent care centers are reduced as their health care needs are addressed in a more efficient and less costly facility.
- Students are provided with a safe, comfortable setting to talk about sensitive issues such as mental health concerns, family difficulties, and substance abuse.
- Student health concerns are addressed through strengthened partnerships between the Center staff and parents.
- Students develop better health habits and become advocates for their own physical and emotional health care through the education services provided at the Center. Changes in students' health behaviors increase their academic productivity while reducing health care costs through a focus on prevention.
- The Center supports the needs of uninsured students through Medicaid outreach efforts and sliding scale fees. No student will be declined Center services at any time due to an inability to pay.
