National Assembly on School-Based Health Care (NASBHC)

About This Cause

The National Assembly on School-Based Health Care (NASBHC) was founded in 1995 and is the national voice for school-based health centers (SBHCs). Built from the grassroots up by individuals from state and federal government agencies, national and regional foundations, child health and education organizations and SBHCs, we are a true reflection of the field we support. NASBHC's mission is to improve the health status of children and adolescents by advancing and advocating for school-based health care. Our vision is that all children are healthy and achieving to their fullest potential. Our goals are: 1. To build political and public support for NASBHC and its mission 2. To improve and strengthen SBHCs 3. To grow the field of school-based health care by adding centers in areas of highest need. SBHCs exist at the intersection of education and health and are the caulk that prevents children and adolescents from falling through the cracks. They provide care - primary health, mental health and counseling, family outreach, and chronic illness management - without concern for students' ability to pay and in a location that meets students where they are: at school. And, because of their location in the school building, SBHCs are first-hand witnesses to social determinants of health and academic achievement - bullying, school violence, depression, stress, poor eating habits, etc. - that health providers outside of a school setting may miss. Staff in SBHCs have the time and the insight to address these social determinants, making them uniquely attuned to the needs of the students. Right now, there are more than 1,900 SBHCs providing access to services for 1.7 million students (Strozer, J., Juszczak, L., & Ammerman, A. 2007-2008 National School-Based Health Care Census. Washington, DC: National Assembly on School-Based Health Care: 2010). Although SBHCs reach across social, economic, and geographic divides, the demand for SBHC services is far greater than SBHCs' capacity to provide them. There are 21 million adolescents in the U.S. , 20 million children in poverty , and 15 million children with mental health challenges. SBHCs are transforming the front line of health and mental health care for children and adolescents by removing financial, emotional, and procedural barriers to accessing care. In partnership with our affiliates we are the powerful voice leading the strong movement to complete that transformation. Knowing that SBHCs play this critical role in the lives of the neediest children and adolescents, our theory of change is that the presence of more SBHCs with greater sustainability will improve child and adolescent health outcomes and lead to improved educational achievement, thus breaking the cycle of poverty. Our mission and vision are implemented through the following guiding statements that direct our work. We believe that: Children and adolescents need high quality, accessible, culturally competent, comprehensive health care. The school setting is a sensible and appropriate place to deliver health care because that is where the students are. Ideally, the full scope of services is provided directly in a SBHC; alternative models may be dictated by resources and the needs of the community. SBHCs reduce health inequities and improve health for underserved youth. SBHCs should be fairly reimbursed for the high-quality health services they provide.