The COVID-19 pandemic has been disruptive and devastating for too many, including our school-aged children. Time will tell what long-term impacts the pandemic will have on our students, families and communities. This spring, as the governor and state legislature make decisions around investing additional federal COVID relief dollars, expanding the footprint of Ohio’s school-based health centers would be a smart use of these one-time funds.
In a typical SBHC model, a sponsoring entity operates and administers the SBHC and employs or contracts with staff to provide health care services. SBHCs are commonly sponsored by community health care providers such as federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), hospitals or local health departments. SBHCs provide primary and preventative care services, which many times includes medical, behavioral health and often dental and vision services too.
According to a study published in the American Journal of Public Health, SBHCs drive benefits such as improved grade point averages, increased preventatives care, higher rates of high school completion and reduced educational gaps and health disparities. Additionally, other research has found many links between SBHCs and increased school attendance. Because chronic absenteeism is the result of complex mental, physical, and family health issues, SBHCs play an integral part in strategically addressing attendance problems.
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James J. Berrens
April, 5, 2022
