Full definition

1. A school-based health center (SBHC) is an evidence-based model of health care delivery where a center is established and operated in a school or on a school campus. SBHCs prioritize serving students in the school or district in which the SBHC is located and may also extend services to other populations including but not limited to students’ families, school personnel, and community members.

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​2. An SBHC provides comprehensive primary care services  to students and may deliver additional services or work with other providers to deliver additional services based on assessed community need, including but not limited to behavioral, vision, and oral health services. Care provided by an SBHC should be responsive to the community and meet the cultural and linguistic needs of the populations served.

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​3. An SBHC has a focus on increasing access to high-quality healthcare services to improve health and education outcomes and reduce disparities. SBHCs align healthcare and education systems to support a student’s success both inside and outside of school. Care provided by an SBHC complements and supports but does not replace or duplicate existing health services  provided by the school.

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​4. SBHCs are created through a collaborative partnership between the community, the school, and an entity that operates and administers the SBHC (“operator”), with students and families being central to this partnership. The SBHC operator is a: (A) federally qualified health center or federally qualified health center look-alike (B) hospital; (C) public health department; (D) nonprofit health or human services agency; or (E) other entity that can operate/administer healthcare operations. The SBHC operator and the partnering school district enter into a legally binding agreement regarding the administration and operation of the SBHC.

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​5. An SBHC provides onsite services and:

• Operates, at a minimum, during the academic day when school is in session

• Operates with regular frequency to ensure the provision of continuous and appropriate care

• Coordinates care, including a systematic follow-up and referral process for patients

• Establishes a method for the exchange of health information between the SBHC and, if applicable, a patient’s primary care provider and other existing care provider(s)

• Communicates with appropriate school personnel to ensure the provision of integrated care

• Establishes a system to connect patients to care outside of SBHC operating hours

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6. An SBHC operates in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations, including those relating to licensure and certification, information sharing, and consent for treatment.

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1. Primary care services include, but are not limited to, comprehensive health assessments/well child exams, primary care mental health, diagnosis and treatment of minor, acute, and chronic medical conditions, and referrals to and follow-up for specialty care.

2. Health services provided in schools include, but are not limited to, services provided by school nurses, psychologists, counselors, social workers, health aides, etc.