School health centers seek expansion

Currently in California there are more than 140 school health centers, like the school-based health center at Vallejo’s Annie Pennycook Elementary School, that provide an array of critical services, including primary medical care, mental health services, health education, nutrition services, and dental care to students in K-12 public schools. School health centers work at the local level to place health care services where children are, and to provide primary health care to students in a familiar, safe, and youth-focused environment. As the demand for access to affordable and quality health care has become an overwhelming challenge for many Californians, the number of uninsured children under the age of 18 has reached an estimated 800,000. “The most effective and efficient way to reach these children is to provide services right on school campuses,” said California State Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas.
    Operated by a variety of organizations, which include county health departments, school districts, federally qualified health centers, hospitals and nonprofit organizations, school health centers tailor their services to meet the specific needs of the community, reflecting both cultural and language diversity. Additionally, school health centers provide an opportunity for educators and health care professionals to work together to enhance the overall health care of students, which could significantly impact a student’s academic performance.
    The unfortunate reality is that many children come to school every day suffering from chronic diseases and conditions, like asthma or diabetes, which may directly impact their ability to focus, learn and succeed in the classroom.
    The California School Health Center Association (CSHC), an organization that supports school health programs through advocacy and education, notes that research supports a connection between a student’s health status and academic performance. Health issues can impact absences and tardiness, disciplinary problems, failing grades and drop-out rates. Thus preventive health care in school health centers could play a crucial role in minimizing potential health risks for children and positively impacting their academic performance.
    Senate Bill (SB) 564, authored by Senator Ridley-Thomas of Los Angeles, seeks to strengthen and expand the School Health Centers Act. This act created a Public School Health Center Support Program to enhance existing school health centers and provide critical guidance on establishing new school health centers throughout California.
    SB 564 would establish a grant program administered by the Department of Health Services. The grants would ensure a stable funding mechanism to support both new and existing school health centers in providing services to children who may not have any other source of primary and/or preventative healthcare.

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Jason Vega is the director of Community and Government Relations for the Community Clinic Consortium, which is a member of the Solano Coalition for Better Health.

The Solano Coalition for Better Health is a countywide nonprofit organization comprised of health care providers, county health, educational and community organizations, and neighborhood advocates. Since its inception in 1988, the Coalition has developed successful programs that have improved the health of Solano County residents.

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