$14 million in grants go to 35 school health centers
Published: August 1, 2011
Thirty-five California schools will receive federal grants of $24,736 to $500,000 for constructing and/or equipping their school-based health centers, state Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson announced.
The funds—totaling more than $14 million for California schools, and $95 million nationally—are among the first to be distributed under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, part of the national health-care reforms enacted last year. In all, $200 million will be available over four years for school-based health centers. Three hundred fifty applications for the first round of funding, and 278 grants were awarded, giving California schools more than one of every eight grants—and nearly 15 percent of the initial allocations.
“These federal grants reinforce what educators know: Good health contributes to student success. Missed school time is missed learning time,” Torlakson said July 15, a day after U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced the national grant distributions. “School-based health centers, especially when paired with a credentialed school nurse, are an effective way to offer quality services in a safe, familiar, accessible, and youth-focused environment.”
Martin Gonzalez, CSBA’s Deputy Executive Director for financial programs and policy services, agreed, saying, “During these difficult financial times, it is essential for schools to partner with community organizations and others as we look to improve the health and academic outcomes of all our children.”
School-based health centers growing
California has 176 school-based health centers operating in elementary, middle and high schools, according to the California School Health Centers Association. At least 30 more are in start-up phases, the organization reports, with some possibly opening as early as spring 2012.
As CSHCA explains, school-based health centers are usually located directly on a school campus and provide primary and preventive health care at no or low cost. Staffs vary in size and typically include nurse practitioners, nurses, mental health counselors, as well as part-time physicians and medical students. Clinical services may include: primary medical care, mental health, and/or dental care. Prevention programs may include: health education, nutrition and physical activity, and youth leadership development.
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