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How to Advocate for a School Health Center |
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| Communicating with policymakers to their stakeholders is critical to building community, financial, and legislative support for school health centers and services. We have developed several tools that can help you give a presentation, visit a legislator and reach out to a variety of audiences. If you have further questions, please feel free to contact Dara Tom, CSHC’s Communications Director at 510-808-4079 or dtom@schoolhealthcenters.org. |
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| Making the Case for School Health Centers |
| Educating Policymakers |
| Getting Your Story in the News |
| Other Resources |
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| Making the Case for School Health Centers |
| Make the case for your school health center with these resources: |
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• Healthy students make better students: Below are materials and resources to help you talk about school health centers and the benefits of providing health care where kids are.
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o Power Point presentation: Benefits of a School Health Center
o Expanding the Use of School-based Health Clinics (PDF), California HealthCare Foundation
o Youth Need School-based Health Centers (PDF), California Adolescent Health Collaborative
o Fact Sheet: Overview of California’s School Health Centers (PDF)
o About School Health Centers brochure (PDF): A colorful handout full of anecdotes and explanations. This can be used as a stand-alone or to compliment other handouts. Print copies are available for free upon request.
o Fact Sheet: School Health Centers Support Student Learning (PDF)
o Power Point presentation: Survey: Parents overwhelmingly support school health centers
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| • Research/Data |
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o Power Point presentation: A literature review by the University of California, San Francisco yielded seven studies on the link between school health centers and academic outcomes.
o Fact Sheet: Benefits of school health centers (PDF), National Assembly on School-Based Health Care (NASBHC)
o Fact Sheet: Cost savings of school health centers (PDF), National Assembly on School-Based Health Care (NASBHC)
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• The California School Board Association's policy brief related to school health centers, and guidance on the role of school board members in school health and wellness programs.
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| • Principal/Administrator’s perspective |
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o Power Point presentation: The principal of Balboa High School in San Francisco outlines the benefits of having a school health center on campus.
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• Mental health |
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o Power Point presentation: Mental Health in Schools, UCLA
o Fact Sheet: Expanding Access to Mental Health Services (PDF)
o Statement: California Department of Mental Health's Guiding Principles for Implementing the Mental Health Services Act (PDF)
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| • Reproductive health |
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o Fact Sheet: Facts on American Teens' Sexual and Reproductive Health (PDF)
o CSHC’s position statement: Reproductive Health Education and Services (PDF)
o Emerging Answers: Research Findings on Programs to Reduce Teen Pregnancy and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (PDF), National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy
o Policy Review: No Time for Complacency (PDF), Public Health Institute
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| • Nutrition/Physical Activity |
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o Fact Sheet: Essential components for a nutrition/physical activity program (PDF), includes examples of successful programs
o Policy Brief: Preventing Childhood Obesity (PDF)
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| • Dental health |
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o “Mommy, It Hurts to Chew,” (PDF) an oral health assessment of California’s Kindergarten and 3rd grade children by the Dental Health Foundation.
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| Educating Policymakers |
| This guide provides step-by-step instructions for visiting your local legislator: contacting legislative offices, preparing for the visit, developing a clear message, visit protocol, and follow-up tips. The guide also describes the difference between a legislative office visit and a site visit and offers ideas on how to decide which is best for your school health center. Follow this link to the complete legislative visit guide (PDF). Upon completing your visit, please complete the legislative feedback form (PDF). |
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| Getting Your Story in the News |
| One of the best ways to spread the word about the great work that is happening at your school health center is by getting news media coverage. Newspapers, television stations and radio stations are always looking for stories about children, youth and schools. Follow the link for some tips on how to develop relationships with local reporters (PDF) and pitch your story. If you have further questions, please feel free to contact Dara Tom, CSHC’s Communications Director, at 510-808-4079 or dtom@schoolhealthcenters.org. |
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| Other Resources |
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National Assembly on School-Based Health Care
The National Assembly on School-Based Health Care (NASBHC) has a myriad of fact sheets, opinion-editorials, advocacy and communications tools, and position papers on several issues common to many school health centers. Check out the NASBHC website.
The Center for Health and Health Care in Schools
The Center for Health and Health Care in Schools has Power Point presentations on a variety of topics, listed chronologically.
Children Now: Report Card
This annual Report Card by Children Now gives a comprehensive view of California's children and their health status.
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