Program areas at CSHC
CSHA provides technical assistance to help schools and communities set up and sustain school health centers and school-based health programs, including new tools and resources. We also managed special projects and learning collaboratives focusing on mental health, peer mentoring, tobacco use prevention, and substance abuse screening. Our conference, webinars, tool kits, and technical assistance help SBHCs offer high-quality, age-appropriate care to students and families. Accomplishments include: - Increasing the number of SBHCs in California from 300 to over 400. Today approximately 300,000 K-12 California students attend school on a campus with a school-based health center.- Hosting our annual Conference in April 2023 with 500 registered attendees.- Participating as a core partner in the California Community School Partnership Program, helping local education agencies across the state develop a deeper understanding of the pivotal role of school-based health program integration.- Releasing the updated Vision to Reality 2.0, which is used as the blue print for school-based health stakeholders and practitioners to start, enhance and/or expand SBHCs.
CSHA Advocates for policies that improve access to high-quality care for children and youth by making SBHCs an integral part of the health care and education systems. In 2023, we successfully sponsored a California Assembly bill to support the definition, scope of practice, and state funding formula for School-Based Health Centers in California. We also conducted advocacy with local, state, and federal legislators to support school health and school-based health services. In addition, we produced a few different reports and toolkits to support the field by strengthening school health services.
CSHA conducts outreach to build support for the SBHC model and to generate interest among schools and communities in addressing health, mental health, and wellness at their school sites. Accomplishments include:- Re-Launched the Central Valley School Health Coalition for education and health providers focused on starting/enhancing SBHCs in the Central Valley.- Led a growing network of school-health stakeholders including more than 8,000 individuals representing SBHCs, school districts, community health centers, dental and mental health providers, policy groups, and others concerned with children's health.- Continued with the SBHC Provider cohort, which includes a diverse group of school health champions from across California.