School-Based Health Centers
School-Based Health Centers
School-based health centers make it easy for kids and young adults, from birth to age 21, to get healthcare, including help switching from a pediatric to an adult doctor.
These centers are part of the community and care for anyone, not just students. Your child doesn’t have to go to the school to use the services—just find the closest center and call to make an appointment. These clinics work like regular doctor’s offices right on school grounds.
Services
- Regular check-ups
- Well-child exams, and sports physicals
- Diagnosing and treating short-term and long-term illnesses
- Care for minor injuries and illnesses
- Vision, dental, and other health screenings
- Vaccinations
- Alcohol and drug counseling and prevention programs
- Teaching about staying healthy and preventing illness
- Mental health counseling
- Reproductive health care
- Health and wellness education in classrooms
- Prescribing medications
- Helping students connect with social support services
Benefits of School-Based Health Centers (SBHCs)
- Provide easy access to physical, mental, and preventive health care.
- Offer care to all children and teens, no matter their ability to pay.
- Lower costs by reducing emergency room visits and hospital stays.
- Make sure services are appropriate for the student’s age.
- Save parents time by cutting down on missed work.
- Help students stay in school and ready to learn.
For more information on School-Based Health Center models, visit Oregon School-Based Health Centers.
