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Louisiana Department of Health & Hospitals | Bruce Greenstein, Secretary

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Adolescent School Health Program: School-Based Health Centers

HISTORY

In 1990, as policy makers became concerned about the high morbidity and mortality rates of adolescents, the Legislature asked the Office of Public Health (OPH) to determine the feasibility of opening school-based health centers. Subsequently, the Adolescent School Health Initiative was enacted in 1991 under Governor Buddy Roemer. This Act authorized OPH to facilitate and encourage the development of comprehensive school-based health centers in public schools.

MISSION AND VISION

The role of the Office of Public Health's Adolescent School Health Program is to provide technical assistance to School Based Health Centers (SBHCs); establish and monitor compliance with standards, policies, and guidelines for school health center operation; provide financial assistance; and encourage collaboration with other agencies and other potential funding sources.

PURPOSE

A SBHC provides convenient access to comprehensive, primary and preventive physical and mental health services for public school students at the school site.

WHY ON A SCHOOL CAMPUS?

Students spend a significant portion of their day on school grounds. SBHCs are accessible, convenient, encourage family and community involvement, reduce student absenteeism, reduce parental leave from work for doctor visits, and work with school personnel to meet the needs of the students and their families.

SBHC STANDARDS

SBHCs in Louisiana follow the Principles, Standards and Guidelines for SBHCs in Louisiana. Parental consent must be obtained prior to seeing a student as a patient.

ADOLESCENT SCHOOL HEALTH INITIATIVE ACT (R.S. 40:31.3)

This law authorizes the Office of Public Health to facilitate and encourage the development of comprehensive health centers in Louisiana public schools. It specifically prohibits counseling or advocating for abortion and the distribution of contraception.

STAFF
Staffing in the SBHC include, at a minimum:

  • Primary Care Provider (Physician, Physician Assistant, or Nurse Practitioner)
  • Physician Medical Director
  • Registered Nurse
  • Master's Level Mental Health Provider
  • Administrator
  • Office Assistant

SERVICES

  • Primary and preventive health care including, comprehensive exams and sports physicals, immunizations, health screenings, acute care for minor illness and injury, and management of chronic diseases such as asthma
  • Behavioral health services
  • Health education and prevention programs
  • Case management
  • Dental services, where avilable
  • Referral to specialty care
  • Louisiana Children's Health Insurance Program (LaCHIP) application centers

CLINICAL FUSION SOFTWARE AND SUPPORT

All OPH-funded SBHCs are currently required to utilize Clinical Fusion. Clinical Fusion is a simple to use, clinical management information system, that can be tailored to a variety of clinical settings.

For more information contact us.

Additional Resources