What is a School-Based Health Center?

Connecticut's School Based Health Centers (SBHCs) are comprehensive primary health care facilities licensed as outpatient clinics or as hospital satellites.  The SBHCs are located within or on school grounds and serve students in grades pre-K-12.  The health centers are staffed by multi-disciplinary teams of pediatric and adolescent health specialists, including nurse practitioners, physician assistants, social workers, physicians and in some cases, dentists and dental hygienists.

A school based health center is not the same as the school nurse's office.  School nurses and SBHCs work together, and school nurses often refer students to SBHCs because they are able to treat and resolve student health problems.  All SBHC services are confidential.  Parents must sign a Parent Permission Form for students to receive services. SBHCs are also able to bill Medicaid and HUSKY A & B health insurance for services provided to students covered by these health plans.

The Connecticut Association of School-Based Health Centers (CASBHC) is a statewide network of 83 school-based health centers (SBHCs) currently operating in 22 Connecticut communities serving a total of 20,000 students annually.  The group was established in 1994, and received its 501(c)(3) non-profit designation in 1996.  Over the last decade, members of CASBHC have collectively established a strong base of support for School-Based Health Centers in Connecticut through community engagement, delivery of quality services, advocacy and effective marketing. 

The Making the Grade grant program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Preventive Services Improvement Initiative has improved the quality of comprehensive services in school-based health centers for children and adolescents. 

The Connecticut Association of School Based Health Centers is a state affiliate of the School Based Health Alliance.

The first Connecticut comprehensive school based health center, the Body Shop, was established in 1981.  The Body Shop is still in operation meeting the health needs of students attending New Haven’s Wilbur Cross High School.   The health center was created in partnership with the New Haven Board of Education, the Fair Haven Community Health Clinic, Yale-New Haven Hospital Adolescent Medicine Department and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.  A few years later, the City of Bridgeport established the first state funded SBHC.

SBHCs provide primary medical and mental health services to students enrolled at the site school, regardless of ability to pay or insurance coverage.  SBHCs emphasize prevention, as well as the early identification and treatment of physical and mental health concerns.

SBHCs are licensed by the State of Connecticut and provide the following:

·         Treatment of acute injuries and illnesses (such as colds, ear infections, sore throats, and skin problems)

·         Routine check ups

·         Physical examinations and health screenings

·         Immunizations

·         Prescription and dispensing of medications

·         Mental health services and screenings

·         Laboratory testing

·         Diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases

·         Nutrition counseling and weight management

·         Crisis intervention

·         Individual, family group counseling

·         Oral health screening, and in some sites, full dental care

·         Referral & follow-up for specialty care

·         Health education

Connecticut school-based health centers are partially funded by the Connecticut Department of Public Health, in combination with local Board of Education, municipal, and local private funds.

SBHCs have the endorsement of a number of professional health organizations including the:

American Academy of Pediatrics;

American Medical Association;

Society for Adolescent Medicine;

American School Health Association;

American Nurses Association;

National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners;

National Association of School Nurses;

National Association of State School Nurse Consultants.

CASBHC represents SBHCs on statewide councils and committees including:

Medical Assistance Program Oversight Council

Behavioral Health Partnership

Connecticut Coalition for Oral Health

School Based Health Center Advisory Committee

Commission on Health Equity Youth Committee

Person-Centered Medical Home Committee

Task Force to Study the Provision of Behavioral Health Services for Young Adults

Keep the Promise Children's Committee