Say NO! To School-based Health Centers (SBHC)
What is a School-based Health Center (SBHC)?
Most people think of a school-based health center as the old model where a licensed nurse administers first aid for minor injuries or calls a parent about a stomach ache. The SBHC model that the Department of Health and Human Services is proposing is a more traditional health clinic which would be located in or near a school and would provide primary healthcare services by providers in accordance with state and federal law. Some examples of these healthcare services include:
- Routine pediatric care, including immunizations, sick visits, and well-child visits
- Health screenings
- Mental and Behavioral Health
- Reproductive counseling & birth control prescription and management
- Substance abuse interventions (drugs and alcohol)
- Dental services
- Vision services
Parents be aware!
SBHCs are intended to be the "medical home" for your child, replacing health services that would normally be acquired outside of school under the supervision of a parent. Using the argument that SBHCs will make managing medical care easier for the parent, this model removes the parent from the decision-making process.
The main concerns with SBHCs are:
- SBHCs are largely unregulated
- SBHCs often exclude the parent
- Children will suffer in the name of convenience
- SBHCs provide inappropriate access to children while parents are away
- SBHC services are broad in scope and do not require parent knowledge
- There is no set standard for who employs the providers
What can parents do?
There are some school districts in Indiana that already have these SBHCs. Parents need to watch out for a blanket "permission to treat" form that is in the packet of papers to be signed at the beginning of each school year. If you have already signed these papers, read them carefully. Ask your child to let you know if anyone attempts to assess them or provide treatment by anyone other than the school nurse or teacher.
Get involved with your school district! If you do not have an SBHC in your school district, start attending school board meetings, where the discussion of whether or not to accept funding for this program will take place. Speak up and make your opposition known.
Contact your legislators and let them know that School-based Health Centers must come with guardrails. Stand For Health Freedom has an easy to fill out form that automatically sends a response to your legislator.
Do you have a story about your school district’s SBHC? Use our contact form and tell us your story.