News

Use Your School-Based Health Center

It’s Quick, Free, and Easy

By Dr. Lara Aguirre, DNP, APRN, FNP-C-SHCCA

2 min read
It might be challenging to get your child the care they need since doctor's offices may be far away and appointments are only offered during school and work hours. Luckily, school-based healthcare clinics exist! 

School-based healthcare clinics operate just like a doctor's office, staffing nurses, doctors, administrators, etc., and can offer various services.

School-based healthcare services
  • check-ups
  • lab tests
  • prescriptions
  • counseling
  • regular visits for problems like asthma and colds 
Financial Burden
The majority of school-based medical clinics are run through a network of neighborhood health centers. Government financing is frequently provided to centers so they can provide care to families that lack the means to pay. The service is completely free to our students. Your child will never have to pay. 

Benefits of school-based healthcare clinics
Students who use school-based healthcare clinics benefit in many ways. They spend more time in class because they aren't sick as often, and they don't have to miss as much school to go to appointments off campus. 

“I love being so available to my school’s students. I will gladly see them when they are sick, but I love preventative care too. I have a unique position to empower and help them manage their own health. My goal is for them to be healthy now and well into adulthood. I feel they trust me, and we have more time.” – Lara Aguirre, FNP-C

Challenges with school-based healthcare clinics
One of the biggest challenges we face at Southeast Community Health Systems is having consent forms properly filled out by parents and guardians of our students. We would love to treat all the students at our school-based healthcare clinics, but cannot do so until a consent packet is filled out. One thing to note is the consent forms must be filled out each school year.

Parents need to complete the consent packet provided at the school-based healthcare clinic. 

Or you can visit https://www.shchc.org/patients-visitors/school-based-registration-packet to learn more!