Chronic school absenteeism directly affects educational outcomes while reducing school funding and reimbursement. Asthma is a prevalent disease associated with chronic absenteeism. This quality improvement project demonstrated classroom seat time preserved through use of school-based health centers (SBHC). The project also highlights the…

Asthma imposes tremendous burden on children, families, and society. Successful management requires coordinated care among children, families, health providers, and schools. Building Bridges for Asthma Care Program, a school-centered program to coordinate care for successful asthma management, was developed, implemented, and evaluated. The program…

Research shows that access to school health services improves health and academic outcomes, particularly for students with chronic health issues. Finding sustainable funding has been an ongoing struggle. This policy brief presents opportunities to expand access to--and resources for--school health services using available Medicaid funds. In…

This article explores an approach for better serving the complete health care needs of children, specifically, the efficacy of school-based health centers (SBHCs) to provide a service delivery mechanism capable of functioning as a medical home for children, providing primary care for both their physical and behavioral health care needs. The…

In 1998, the Making the Grade National Program Office and the National Assembly on School-Based Health Care sponsored a workshop on the relationship between the State Child Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and school-based health centers. This paper presents information from the workshop and uses experiences from Colorado and Connecticut as case…

Under the State Child Health Insurance Program, states receive funds to purchase health insurance for low-income, uninsured children. Noting that partnering with managed care will be essential if school-based health centers are to receive reimbursement for serving the publicly insured portion of their clientele, this paper examines the…

Noting that there is a relationship between hunger and the ability to learn, this study examines teacher opinions of the impact of a school breakfast program on student success. A survey, focusing on grades 1 through 3, was completed by 188 elementary teachers in 100 Connecticut schools in which breakfast programs had been implemented. Respondents…

Health assessments are required for entrance into child care, Head Start, and preschool programs. However, state and federal screening and documentation mandates vary, and programs create their own forms for keeping required data on file. Inconsistent recording formats present challenges for primary care providers who must document each child's…

Reaffirming its leadership role toward better oral health for all Americans, the ADA has produced a white paper that also challenges policy-makers and the US to improve access to dental services. The white paper, "State and Community Models for Improving Access to Dental Care for the Underserved," was presented October 1 to the House of…