Students celebrate the opening of LAUSD’s Washington Prep Wellness Center. Photo by The L.A. Trust.
School-based health centers (SBHCs) are on the rise in California! There are now 226 SBHCs providing high-quality health care to 228,000 students in our public elementary, middle, and high schools — with more in the works.
Listen to Serena Clayton speaking about California’s SBHCs on KCBS Radio: Report 1 | Report 2. Read More in California Healthline.
This marks a 13% increase over the 200 SBHCs in 2012, and double the number a decade ago. Of the 226 SBHCs, 130 offer mental health care, 42 offer dental treatment, and 60 offer youth engagement programs that keep kids connected to school and thinking about their future.
SBHCs are so popular because they offer convenient health care for kids in a setting families already know and trust.
Students who utilize SBHCs are less likely to go to the emergency room or be hospitalized, keeping costs down. SBHCs also improve attendance, reduce dropout rates, improve school climate, and support students’ academic achievement. Schools and school districts partner with health service providers to finance SBHCs.
More Facts About California’s SBHCs
There are 226 SBHCs serving 228,000 students across California. SBHCs are usually located directly on a school campus and provide primary care like any health clinic. Staff vary in size, and typically includes nurse practitioners, nurses, mental health providers, as well as part-time physicians and medical students. Services are provided at no or low cost. No one is refused service for inability to pay.
Services Offered
| Service | Number | Percentage |
| Medical | 192 | 85% |
| Reproductive Health – Screening and Education | 138 | 61% |
| Health Education | 131 | 58% |
| Mental Health | 130 | 56% |
| Reproductive Health – Clinical Care | 118 | 52% |
| Dental Treatment | 42 | 19% |
| Dental Prevention | 70 | 31% |
| Nutrition/Fitness | 68 | 30% |
| Youth Engagement | 60 | 27% |
Sponsoring Org Types
| Type of Sponsoring Organization | Number | Percentage |
| Community Clinic | 117 | 52% “half” |
| School District | 67 | 30% “a third” |
| Local Health Department | 11 | 5% |
| Hospital | 10 | 4% |
| Nonprofit Organization | 8 | 3.5% |
| Mental Health Agency | 7 | 3% |
| Other | 3 | 1.3% |
| University, Including Medical Center | 2 | .8% |
| Tribal Government | 1 | .4% |
Onsite SBHC Location Level
| School Level | Number | Percentage |
| High School | 101 | 45% |
| Elementary School | 67 | 30% |
| Middle School | 23 | 10% |
| Other (school-linked/mobile/combined levels) | 35 | 15% |