For over five decades, school based health centers (SBHCs) have expanded and evolved to provide a variety of healthcare services in a convenient and accessible environment.

Research has demonstrated the SBHCs’ impacts on delivering a comprehensive range of preventive and clinical services, such as immunizations; managing chronic illnesses, such as asthma, obesity, and mental health conditions; providing reproductive health services for adolescents; and even improving youths’ academic performance. 

School-based health centers address barriers to care including cost, transportation, and advanced scheduling. SBHC staff often treat students who are uninsured or underinsured, free of charge, and SBHC staff can assist students and families in enrolling for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Housed within schools, SBHCs are accessible to students, so students miss less instructional time, and guardians save time and the cost of transporting youth to and from appointments.

The Weitzman Institute has been able to leverage Community Health Center’s Inc.’s (CHC’s) leadership as one of the largest FQHC sponsors of SBHCs in the country for three decades as evident by CHC administrative and clinical leaders who frequently serve as faculty on national education offerings related to SBHCs.