•  Located in the school or on school grounds.
•  Work cooperatively within the school to become an integral part of the school.
•  Provide a comprehensive range of services that meet the specific physical and behavioral health needs of the young people in the community.
•  Employ a multidisciplinary team of providers to care for the students: nurse practitioners, registered nurses, physician assistants, social workers, physicians, alcohol and drug counselors, and other health professionals.
•  Provide clinical services through a qualified health provider such as a hospital, health department, or medical practice.
•  Require parents to sign written consents for their children to receive the full scope of services provided at the SBHC.
•  Have an advisory board consisting of community representatives, parents, youth, and family organizations, to provide planning and oversight.

(courtesy of National Assembly on School-Based Health Care)

Arkansas' School-Based Health Center Grant Funding

The Arkansas School-Based Health Center Grant is a competitive application process made possible and supported by Arkansas' Governor Mike Beebe and the Arkansas Tobacco Excise Tax created by Arkansas Act 180 of 2009. The funds are to be used to promote health, wellness, and academic achievement in Arkansas' public schools. The program is a collaboration of the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Office of School Health Services (SHS), Arkansas Department of Health (ADH), Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) and Medicaid In the Schools (ARMITS).

Eligible Applicants

All Arkansas public and charter schools are eligible to apply, unless the district is a current school-based health center funding recipient. Only one school-based health center per district may be funded by the DESE during a five year funding cycle.

Grant/Award Guidelines

Applicants intending to create a new health center on school campus may apply for up to $150,000. The SBHC grant recipients will receive an annual distribution of funds for a five year period, decreasing amounts each year.  Annual renewal is based on a review of annual progress and appropriation of Tobacco Excise Tax funding.

Applicants should carefully read the guidelines for the grant. Grantees must adhere to the SBHC grant guidelines, the ARSBHC recommendations and the Arkansas School Based Mental Health manual.  See the National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities at http://www.ncef.org/pubs/health.pdf  for facility guidance.

Prerequisite of Funding

Full-time equivalent registered nurse employed by school district (school nurse)