Benefits of School-Based Health Centers
February is National School-Based Health Care Awareness Month, so I wanted to discuss school-based health centers (SBHCs) as beneficial models for communities nation-wide. The National Assembly on School-Based Health Care explains that SBHCs are comprised of partnerships between schools and local health care organizations to deliver health care (physical and mental) to students on a school campus. Currently, schools with SBHCs predominantly serve low-income students who historically experience health care disparities (although even schools with different student demographics could benefit from the SBHC model.) And while SBHCs serve the student and faculty population at the school where they are housed, many also open their doors to students from other schools, as well as to other members of the community. SBHCs can be funded from both government (local, state, and federal) and private groups, depending on the model each community develops. Currently, there are more than 1,900 SBHCs in 48 states and territories.
There are many compelling benefits to SBHCs. Besides providing care for populations that otherwise might not receive it, research indicates they increase school attendance and academic performance, decrease school drop-out rates, and are cost-effective investments of public resources —contributing to lower costs to Medicaid and less emergency room use among other things.
LFA's Anne O’Brien recently published a blog post on Edutopia about the experience of Colorado’s Montrose County School District with school-based healthcare. The district provides a compelling example of the use of school-based healthcare to address both physical and mental health issues for the majority low-income students of the district. Many other schools and communities could potentially benefit from developing SBHCs.
However, many SBHCs are struggling to remain open due to slashed budgets and problems in public health and insurance laws. Because SBHCs are so beneficial, and there are hopes that more communities will incorporate SBHC in their schools, it is important that keeping provisions for their funding is an aspect of health care reform in the coming months.
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Hi, Charlotte! I'm all for
Hi, Charlotte!
I'm all for the school nurse being a full-time paid staff member. Whenever you have that many children in a building, some will need more than the usual level of oversight (for example, an asthmatic may need monitoring during times peak flow is not optimal). And that many kids playing at recess means someone ought be around to help with injuries and know when to refer parents to the hospital.
But combining MENTAL HEALTH services with school services means that the vulnerable communities that are "served" will be encouraged to give their children drugs to "help" them concentrate in school. These are the very communities that would respect the "experts" and not question their judgment. You can't tell me there would be zero pressure from school staff on these medical folks and on the parents under such a system. And how would record-sharing operate? What if the child has a communicable disease; do they tell staff against the wishes of the family? Would it go beyond the scope of the law? I know things like TB are mandated to be reported, but chickenpox? Head lice? Would that sort of thing be shared?
Then, too, there is the contraceptive issue to deal with and other issues of parental consent. I sure don't want my children seeing a physician without my making the appointment and knowing the reason for it. Perhaps it's not the intention of the folks setting up these clinics, but it DOES have the effect of lessening the power that parents have in making decisions for their children. And no fair saying that allowing the nanny state to raise the kid IS a decision some parents are making. :)
Most SBHC's have
Most SBHC's have psychologists or social workers on staff, not psychiatrists, so they can not prescribe drugs to students. The counselors help students deal with issues like stress, family issues, relationship issues etc. There may be a SBHC with a psychiatrist on staff, but I've never heard of one and I seriously doubt there is a need for it.
Also, many school systems do not allow SBHCs to distribute contraception in the schools. Ours doesn't. Make sure you're informed before you complain about something you don't understand.
My concern still stands.
My concern still stands. Schools oughtn't get involved in this area at all. School "counsellors" ought be the people helping you pick out your courses, not "counsellors" in the sense of asking you how you feel about your parents and "relationship issues." I would seriously doubt there is a need for a psychiatrist as well, though I do understand that people with that sort of training (psychology degree of some sort) are the only ones able to administer things like IQ tests and whatnot. At least that is what I was told when I expressed concern about my child being tested for special services with a psychologist.
Simply put, it's not an area in which I want my tax dollars invested through public education. And btw, "contraception" could be as simple as handing out condoms which yes, I've seen has happened before in the news. I'd hate to see parents choose between their children receiving services they don't want them to even be aware exist, and being untreated if they are injured or sick at school.
School-based health care
School-based health care centers universally require parental consent before treating students, so parents can decide whether they are comfortable with specific privacy standards and other health practices of their specific center.
Hi, Charlotte! I was mostly
Hi, Charlotte! I was mostly concerned with the fact that this whole venture oughtn't be funded publicly AND that it encourages parents to not take the time to bring their children to a doctor of their choice themselves. :)
Happy Elf Mom, SBHC's
Happy Elf Mom,
SBHC's typically serve an under served population, meaning students whose families don't have the resources to take them out of school and across town to a "doctor of their choice," perhaps they don't have medical insurance or have jobs where they are not able to take time off for things like physicals and immunizations, or even asthma or allergy treatment. Our tax payer dollars do not fund the use of school based health centers for middle class, insured students, as the centers typically bill the insurance company. Countless studies have shown that in schools with under served populations (those who would not have seen a doctor otherwise, obviously not your children), grades improve often dramatically and graduation rates increase. Why would you advocate against a child having resources to help him succeed that he would not have had otherwise. It kind of makes you seem oblivious to the suffering of others. Honestly, it really makes you seem you are.
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