Actions schools can take to promote SBHC success
October 2025
School leaders have the power to turn a school-based health center (SBHC) into a trusted hub of care and connection. When school and healthcare teams work together, students are healthier, families feel supported, and the entire community benefits. The SBHC may be operated by a healthcare partner, but its success is deeply shaped by a school’s leadership, culture, and commitment.
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This guide walks through five strategies that principals, superintendents, and other school leaders can take to support their school's SBHC:
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Build staff support for the SBHC
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Educate and equip school staff to connect students to care
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Integrate the SBHC team into the school community
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Coordinate care across the school health services and SBHC teams
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Engage families and promote SBHC services
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This guide was developed with input and support from Ohio Alliance regional coordinators and insights from the field.
From the guide
Promotion is key to ensuring families, students, and community members understand what the SBHC offers and how to access care. School leaders can support SBHC visibility through ongoing consistent and creative outreach.
School staff play a vital role in helping students and their families access SBHC services. When staff understand how the SBHC works, how to identify student needs, and refer students, they can become effective champions for student health and learning.
To ensure seamless care for students, the SBHC and school health services teams must function as a coordinated system. School leaders can support this by promoting shared workflows, regular communication, and collaborative planning.
Additional resources
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School nurses and school-based health centers (SBHCs): Partnership for success Ohio School-Based Health Alliance
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School-Based Health Center 101 Toolkit Ohio School-Based Health Alliance