By actively advocating for SBHCs, stakeholders build community, legislative, and administrative support, ultimately strengthening both individual SBHCs and the overall field. CSHC has several tools that can help you give a presentation, visit a legislator, or reach out to a variety of audiences. For further questions, contact Communications Director Dara Tom at 510-268-1310 or dtom@schoolhealthcenters.org.
Educating Policymakers
This guide provides step-by-step instructions for visiting your local legislator: how to set up a meeting, how to prepare for and conduct the visit, and how to follow-up. The guide also describes the difference between a legislative office visit and a site visit and offers suggestions on how decide which is most appropriate for you.
Getting Your Story in the News
One of the best ways to spread the word about the great work that is happening at your SBHC is by getting media coverage. Newspapers, television stations and radio stations are always looking for stories about children, youth and schools. This guide provides some tips on developing relationships with local reporters and pitching your story.
Making the Case for School Health Services
These resources will help you make the case for SBHCs and school health services.
SBHCs Promote Health and Learning
These materials will help you talk about SBHCs and the benefits of providing health care at school.
SBHC Overview
- Overview of California’s School Health Centers (PDF)
- About School Health Centers (PDF)
- Youth Need School-Based Health Centers (PDF), California Adolescent Health Collaborative
SBHC Benefits
- Benefits of a School Health Center (PPT)
- Benefits of School Health Centers (PDF), NASBHC
- School Health Centers: Helping Educators Close the Achievement Gap (PDF)
- School-Based Health Centers and Academic Outcomes (PPT), UCSF
- Cost Savings of School Health Centers (PDF), NASBHC
Specific Health Issues and the Role of SBHCs
These materials will help you talk about the need for specific services and how SBHCs can help.
SBHCs and Mental Health
- Expanding Access to Mental Health Services (PDF)
- Mental Health in Schools (PPT), UCLA
- Guiding Principles for Implementing the Mental Health Services Act (PDF), DMH
SBHCs and Oral Health
- Mommy, It Hurts to Chew (PDF), Dental Health Foundation
SBHCs and Reproductive Health
- CSHC Position Statement on Reproductive Health Education and Services (PDF)
- Facts on American Teens’ Sexual and Reproductive Health (PDF), Guttmacher Institute
- Research Findings on Programs to Reduce Teen Pregnancy and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (PDF), National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy
- No Time for Complacency (PDF), Public Health Institute
SBHCs and Nutrition/Physical Activity
- Model SBHC Program Overview: Improving Nutrition and Physical Activity (PDF)
- Preventing Childhood Obesity: Research on Effective School-Based Interventions (PDF)
For School Board Members
These materials will help you talk to school board members about the benefits of SBHCs.
- Expanding Access to School Health Services (PDF), California School Boards Association
- Guidance on School Board Roles: Student Wellness (PDF), California School Boards Association
For Principals and Administrators
These materials will help you talk to principals and administrators about the benefits of SBHCs.
School Nursing
These materials will help you talk about the unique value of school nurses and how they complement SBHCs.
- Unlocking the Potential of School Nursing (PDF)
This report, from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, describes the value of school nurses and how, working with SBHCs, they allow all students to thrive physically, mentally, and academically. - School-Based Health Centers + School Nurses = Student Success (PDF)
The National Assembly on School-Based Health Care (NASBHC) partnered with the National Association of School Nurses to create this factsheet, which outlines the differences between school-based health centers and school nurses, as well as how they collaborate to achieve student success.
Other Resources
National Assembly on School-Based Health Care
The National Assembly on School-Based Health Care (NASBHC) has factsheets, opinion-editorials, advocacy and communications tools, and position papers on issues common to many school health centers.
The Center for Health and Health Care in Schools
The Center for Health and Health Care in Schools has a wide range of factsheets and presentations.
The Center for School, Health and Education
The Center for School, Health and Education, at the American Public Health Association, offers resources on school-based health care, as well as information about the School-Based Health Care Policy Program.
Children Now: Report Card
This annual Report Card by Children Now gives a comprehensive view of California’s children and their health.
