Overview of SBHCs
» SBHC Services | SBHCs in New Mexico

SBHCs and parental rights and responsibilities

SBHCs do not interfere with parental rights and responsibilities. Students must obtain signed parental consent before using the services of the center. However, by New Mexico State law students may obtain reproductive and behavioral health care services (confidential services) without parental consent. SBHCs promote family communication by assisting youth to involve their parents in the resolution of their health problems.

SBHC Operations

SBHCs operate through a number of different partnerships. Some sponsoring organizations are:

• Primary Care Federally Qualified Health Care Centers
• School districts that sponsor their own SBHCs with funding provided through grants, use of district funds, and/or billing of services to Medicaid and third-parties insurance
• Tribal entities and the Indian Health Services
• The University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center

Among the advantages of SBHCs are that:

• SBHC students, most of whom are middle and high school teens, have direct access to health care providers while they are at school in a convenient and confidential setting.
• Students do not have to miss school to receive health care
• Language and transportation barriers are removed
• Risky behaviors are identified earlier
• Students learn how to use medical services in a non-intimidating environment
• Referrals are made to appropriate community providers

Outcomes from SBHCs

Experience across the country shows that students who have access to health centers inside their schools or in their native environments:

• Are less intimidated about seeking services
• Comply with scheduled appointments with very few “no-shows”
• Get services from on-site providers who have the ability to touch-base informally and have a broader understanding of the student’s functioning in his or her peer group and in school
• Can have their care integrated with primary care and/or behavioral health clinicians
• Have positive role models of health care professionals
• Have fewer ER visits and lower rates of absenteeism if receiving for asthma at an SBHC

SBHCs and school nurses

School nurses work in partnership with staff of school-based health centers. Their work is defined in part by state regulation and includes conducting vision, hearing, and other screenings. They provide counseling regarding health-related matters and make referrals as needed. Follow-up care and monitoring students with chronic conditions and special needs are also provided.

SBHCs do not and will not replace school nurses. Rather, they complement services already being provided by placing additional resources in the schools. The school nurse/SBHC partnership focuses on increasing compliance with treatment plans, facilitating access to care, monitoring outcomes of care, assessing care needs, and providing case management.

SBHCs and community providers

SBHCs work in concert with and make referrals to community providers. SBHCs are another entry point for children who may not otherwise be able or willing to seek help outside the school. While primary care providers generally see children under the age of 13, they see adolescents less frequently. This group, at risk for a variety of health-related problems, does not often access available health care resources. For these adolescents, SBHCs serve as an important entry point into the health care system in communities.