A guide to family and community engagement in SBHCs
August 2026
School-based health centers (SBHCs) are more than a model of
healthcare delivery. They are a trusted hub of care and connection
within schools. Many SBHCs provide care not only to students, but
also to families and the broader community. This whole-child approach recognizes that a child’s health is deeply tied to the well-being of the adults around them.
A hallmark of a strong SBHC is meaningful engagement with the
community it serves. Engaging families and community members as
partners strengthens SBHCs and helps build trust, support, and lasting impact. This resource supports SBHC partners in engaging families and communities to build responsive, sustainable models of care.
From the guide: Best practices and strategies
Embed families and communities in SBHC planning
The following best practices and accompanying strategies can help partners to integrate family and community member engagement throughout the SBHC planning process:
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Conduct an inclusive needs assessment
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Include family and community members on the SBHC planning team
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Integrate family and community feedback
The following best practices and accompanying strategies can help partners to integrate family and community member engagement throughout the SBHC planning process:
-
Conduct an inclusive needs assessment
-
Include family and community members on the SBHC planning team
-
Integrate family and community feedback
Center the needs of families and communities in SBHC staffing
The following best practices and accompanying strategies can help guide partners to integrate family and community needs throughout SBHC staffing design, hiring, and training:
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Ensure staff roles support family and community engagement
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Prioritize family and community engagement skills in hiring
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Ensure coordination with school partners to support families
Build SBHC operations that are responsive to family and community needs
The following best practices and accompanying strategies can help partners to integrate family and community needs throughout SBHC operations:
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Design an accessible SBHC consent process
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Support family participation in care delivery
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Promote flexible scheduling and visit workflows
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Ensure clear follow-up and care coordination
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Create ongoing family and youth feedback channels
Additional resources
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Strengthening Family & Community Engagement in SBHCs California School-Based Health Alliance
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Parent Engagement: Strategies for Involving Parents in School Health National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
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Youth Advisory Council Toolkit Ohio School-Based Health Alliance
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Principles of Authentic Community Engagement Minnesota Department of Health