A school-based health center (SBHC) is a student-focused health center or clinic located at or near a school that provides age-appropriate, medical services2 by clinicians3. It may also provide behavioral health, dental, optometry, and/or ancillary services (i.e. health education, youth engagement, case management).
A wellness center (WC) means a student-focused center1 located at or near a school that provides age-appropriate, clinical behavioral health services2 by providers4. It may also provide non-medical ancillary services.
School-based health centers and wellness centers (SBHCs/WCs) are spread from Del Norte to San Diego County with large concentrations in Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area.
1The center may be a facility or a mobile unit, and must include at least one confidential treatment space appropriate to services provided, as well as an additional area for reception, enrollment, and triage
2Services may be provided in-person or via telehealth
3As defined by HRSA
4As defined by California Board of Behavioral Sciences
Map: School-Based Health & Wellness Centers in California
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School-based health and wellness centers are located in schools serving some of the state’s most vulnerable children. On campuses with SBHCs, about 70% of students receive free or reduced price meals.
Students in communities that benefit from school-based health and wellness centers are less likely to have health insurance or access to health and mental health services that address these risk factors.
Without access to high-quality health services, childhood risk factors are more likely to be translated into higher rates of diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and other chronic illnesses in adulthood as well as more struggles with academic success.
Of California’s 377 school-based health and wellness centers:
- 45% are in high schools
- 19% are in elementary schools
- 14% are in middle schools
- 12% are “school-linked” or mobile medical vans, and
- 10% serve multiple grade levels.
Most of California’s SBHCs are physically located right on campus within a main building or in a portable.
In some areas, health services are provided by mobile medical or dental vans, and in other areas, “school-linked” health centers are off campus and have formal operating agreements with schools.