News, articles and stories about SBHCs, community schools and health care

Advocacy

Proposed Legislation Strengthens the Connection between Schools and Communities:

On July 15, 2010,  Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Bernie Sanders (I-VT) introduced a bill to help states close the achievement gap through a comprehensive approach to education.

The Developing Innovative Partnerships and Learning Opportunities that Motivate Achievement (DIPLOMA) Act, proposes to support student academic achievement through the creation of an integrated, collaborative system to support the educational, emotional, and social needs of youth by placing schools at the center of their communities.

The legislation authorizes grants to incentivize partnerships between schools, parents,
business leaders, higher education institutions, and community‐based organizations in order to ensure the success of our nation’s youth
 

Prevention is most cost-effective health strategy, says CDC director

While this article isn't about SBHCs specifically, it is a great reminder of the fact that a health care system focused on PREVENTION is the most effective and affordable model of care.  THE CDC gives the US a failing grade when it comes to preventative health care.

Poverty at Birth is Associated With Poverty at Later Points in Life

Forty-nine percent of babies born to poor families will be poor for half their childhood in contrast with four percent of babies born to families that are not poor. 

A new study published by the Urban Institute on June 30, 2010 is the first to link poverty status at birth to persistent poverty and adult outcomes.  The study shows...  Read More

SBHC National Census 2007-08, by NASBHC
The survey illustrates how SBHCs – if funded appropriately – are positioned to help fill the existing gap in access to care, particularly in rural and underserved populations.  Press Release     Full Report

Healthy Students are Better Students
Published by the Center for American Progress, written by Saba Bireda, May 19, 2010

Why Bring Health Care to Schools?
SEEN (Southeast Education Network) Magazine published a three part series in 2009 and 2010. 


Multnomah County considers first school-based health center for east county
By Matthew Preusch, The Oregonian

 

SBHCs and Health Care Reform - Ongoing commentary from the Network

Health Reform Supporting School Clinics
Market Place, National Public Radio, April 8 2010 

 

 

Awareness Day Kick off event at the capitol on Feb. 1, 2010 

Over 100 youth advocates gathered at the Capitol on February 1 for the kick off day for SBHC Awareness Month.

This army of youth advocates were introduced to our legislative process. They met the Governor's Chief Health Care Policy Advisor, The Speaker of the House and the Senate President.

They received training and practiced delivering concise yet compelling anecdotes.

Through their combined efforts they ensured that every legislator's office received a visit. They also succeeded in meeting with at least 20 legislators in small groups.

Read the press release here.
 

American Public Health Association receives Kellogg Foundation Grant to support School, Health and Education Policy

Washington, D.C., March 12, 2010    — The American Public Health Association announced today that it  has been awarded a $1.8 million grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to support school, health and education policy. Under the two-year grant, APHA will operate the School-Based Health Care Policy Program, an initiative begun by the foundation in 2003 seeking to stabilize and secure the financing of school-based health care through federal, state and local policy.  Read the press release here.

 

SBHCs and Schools in the News

Help is at hand at CHS
Canby High School program makes inroads with student drug and alcohol issues
By: Peggy Savage, Canby Herald Online, June 23, 2010

When high school senior Scott Munoz first arrived at Canby High School a few years ago, he had some serious problems. But thanks to help from a dedicated counselor at the school and the school’s intervention-prevention program, Munoz turned his life around.  Read more....
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NASBHC selects WHAM (Woodburn Health Advocates Movement) to participate in health literacy initiative
Congratulations to the youth advocates from Woodburn High School for being selected as NASBHC's FIRST national public investigator team in the country. 

WHAM is a group of seven sophomores and juniors that has launched their own planning project for a school-based health center at their highschool.  This group will be tasked with documenting what, where and how health information is presented and understood in SBHCs.  The goal of the project is to improve health literacy among america's youth.  Stay tuned to learn about the group's findings in the months ahead!
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Blossom Gulch Elementary and Millicoma Intermediate, from Coos Bay Schools, are being recognized nationally by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation for meeting important benchmarks related to nutrition and physical activity.  The district school nurse, Angie Webster has worked tirelessly to forward school health initiatives.  She is being recognized by the Alliance as one of ten school health champions in the nation!

 

Touch the Heart of a Child for Sacajawea Health Center Fundraiser May 15, 2010

Community comes together to fund Ashland High School Health Center
Local funds, matching grants total $69,520
Ashland Daily Tidings, March 2010

Milwaukie High students and administrators work together to increase health care access
Milwaukie News, March 27, 2010
By Nicole Dungca, The Oregonian

Milwaukie High School prepares to open SBHC in Fall, 2010
The Clackamas Review, June 2009
By Ellen Spitaleri

Spotlight on Milwaukie - School and Community Partnerships Support Youth
Educators, health care professionals and public health work synergistically to improve student health, academic achievement and the transition to adulthood

 

Health Topics for Oregon's Youth

Alcohol use a among greatest concerns for Oregon's youth
Courtesy of the Oregon Health Authority

 

Oregon Health Plan and Healthy Kids Connect

At last, health care for all Oregon kids
The Oregonian, Rick Attig, February 6, 2010

Applications for Oregon Health Plan mailed to low-income Oregonians
Department of Human Services, February 2010

Low income Oregonians have a chance for healthcare coverage
Department of Human Services, January 2010

 

Health Care Reform

Health Care Reform - what is it?
"The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act" contains ten sections, called Titles. 
Follow the link above to read about each section in easily scanned summaries.  .

SBHCs and Health Care Reform - Good news for now!

Health Care Reform News Digest, by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 3/23/2010
Health Care Reform News Digest, by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 3/22/2010
Good links to articles offering varied perspectives on health care reform - a great digest to sign up for! 

Preparing for Health Reform: The Role of the Health Insurance Exchange
Regardless of the outcome of national health reform, a number of states are contemplating creating a health insurance exchange as a way to improve the individual and small group markets. A new report by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation-funded State Coverage Initiatives (SCI) provides an overview of the potential role of a health insurance exchange, state-specific issues that should be considered before establishing an exchange, and the different ways in which an exchange might be structured and operated.

Report: America’s Middle Class Shouldering the Brunt of Health Insurance Crisis
A state-specific analysis—Barely Hanging On: Middle-Class and Uninsured— highlights a worsening situation.  Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Health Care 101: A consumer primer on Obama's bill
Easy to read summary of the major, anticipated changes to health care, as of March 2010

The Cost of Failure to Enact Health Reform
The number of uninsured Americans could grow by 10 million people in just five years, and spending on government health care programs for the poor could more than double by 2020, if there are not significant reforms to the current health care system, according to a new analysis just released from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF).

Oregon receives $21 million in health technology grants
Oregon will jumpstart another key element of health care reform – increasing the use and effectiveness of electronic health record technologies – thanks to two federal grants announced this month.

 

Funding in Oregon, announcements

25 Oregon groups receive $3 million in public health funding
Northwest Health Foundation, Kaiser Permanente Northwest, February 2010

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www.oregonhealthykids.gov

The Network is a grantee of the Office of Healthy Kids

www.oregonhealthykids.gov