School health services play a critical role in ensuring that children and youth have access to high-quality, affordable health care. By providing medical, mental health, oral health, and youth development services on school campuses, school-based health centers (SBHCs) and other school health providers positively impact students’ health and learning. They address a wide variety of health needs, from asthma management to flu vaccination to teen pregnancy prevention. At the same time, SBHC staff and other school health personnel can act as key partners in efforts to address chronic absenteeism and promote a positive school climate.
This section has background on common issues related to health and learning, and tools that will help SBHCs and other school health providers develop and run high-quality services.
New York State Resources for School Health
New York City SBHC Resources
Resources for SBHCs and Staff
- FERPA vs. HIPPA:
- A school health program’s records are subject to FERPA if the program is funded, administered and operated by or on behalf of a school or educational institution.
- A school health program’s records are subject to HIPAA if the program is funded, administered and operated by or on behalf of a public or private health, social services, or other non-educational agency or individual.
- NY State Vaccination Guide for School-Based Health Centers.
- NY State Mandated Reporter – Self Directed Online Training: sponsored by NY State OCFS and administered by SUNY Buffalo State.
- FAQs regarding Child Protective Services.
- MedlinePlus: searchable database of patient handouts.
- Well Child Patient Education Handouts: personalizable with SBHC name and available in English and Spanish.
- Healthy Eating Plate: available in 20 languages via Harvard School of Public Health.
- Hallways to Health: Creating a School-Wide Culture of Wellness Toolkit: this online toolkit emboldens the school health field to adopt school-wide health and wellness initiatives.
- NEW: Realizing the Potential of School-Based Health Centers: A Research Brief & Implementation Guide: published by Harvard Graduate School of Education
Resources for Students and Parents/Guardians
- Online Resource Directory: connecting New Yorkers with free and low-cost health and social services.
- Teenagers, Healthcare & the Law: a guide to the law on minors’ rights in New York State.
- Got Transition: resource to help students and families transition from pediatric to adult healthcare.
- 5-4-3-2-1 Go!: public education message containing recommendations for children and families to promote a healthy lifestyle.
- Am I eligible to receive the COVID-19 Vaccine?
