Healthy Kids Make Better Learners

RB 917: An Act Concerning School-Based Health Centers
1. The purpose of this bill is to introduce a definition of a School Based Health Centers (SBHC)
into CT state statute. The bill can be found here: Raised Bill 917.
History and Background:
PA13-287 re-established the School Based Health Center Advisory Committee and charged the
committee with developing minimum quality standards for SBHCs. The committee met
throughout 2014 and developed minimum standards for CT SBHCs. The standards were
submitted in a committee report to the Commissioner of Public Health in January 2015. The
Commissioner provided copies of the report to the chairs of the legislature’s Public Health and
Education Committee as required in PA13-287.
In February 2015, RB 917 was introduced by the Public Health Committee.
 Only Section 1 of the bill is new. It defines a SBHC; lists eligible sponsoring facilities; and
states that the Department of Public Health may adopt regulations to establish minimum
quality standards for SBHCs.
 CASBHC is recommending a change in language from “may” adopt regulations to “shall”
adopt regulations.
 The SBHC definition language in RB 917 builds upon language that is codified in a
federal definition of SBHCs. However, RB 917 adds part 1D that states: “provides
comprehensive medical and behavioral health services to children and adolescents in
accordance with state and local law, including laws relating to licensure and
certification”.
 The purpose of part 1D is to codify the integrated care model in SBHCs that includes the
provision of medical and behavioral health services.
Sections 2, 3 and 4 of the bill are existing statute, with the exception of the change to the term
school-based health centers (as defined in section 1 of RB 917).
2. A public hearing for RB 917 will be held on Monday, March 16, 2015 at 10:30 am at Hartford
High School Law and Government Academy, 55 Forest St, Hartford. Submit electronic
testimony via email to [email protected] in Word or PDF format no later than 12:00
P.M. on Friday, March 13, 2015. If you are unable to submit electronic testimony, please submit
10 copies of written testimony to committee staff no later than 9:00 am on Monday, March 16,
2015 at Hartford Public High School’s Law and Government Academy. Signup for oral
testimony begins at 9:00 am on a first-come, first-served basis.
Healthy Kids Make Better Learners
CASBHC
P.O. Box 771
North Haven, CT 06473
www.ctschoolhealth.org
203-230-9976
School Based Health Center
Talking Points for SBHC Definition RB 917

School based health centers (SBHCs) are one of the most effective ways to keep
students healthy and attending school so they can continue to learn. SBHCs provide
students with immediate access to care for many serious health issues that impact school
performance and academic success.

Youth are affected by many stressors that impact their school performance -- issues such
as chronic illnesses, family or community violence, homelessness, bullying, physical and
sexual abuse, loss of a loved one, and many mental health conditions.

Historically, CT developed a comprehensive model that integrated medical care with
preventive and behavioral health services; some sites have dental services. SBHC
medical-behavioral health staff are co-located to address a broad spectrum of students’
health needs.

Comprehensive sites employ a team of licensed interdisciplinary professionals with
expertise in child/adolescent health (nurse practitioners, physician’s assistants, medical
directors, clinical social workers, consulting psychiatrists, dentists, and hygienists).

This model represents the highest standard of care available (National Gold Standard)
with respect to the range and quality of SBHC services (Making the Grade: State and
Local Partnerships to Establish School Based Health Centers, 2003).

An SBHC definition and standards will ensure consistency in the comprehensive model
throughout the state, will support the integration of behavioral health and primary care,
and will ensure that SBHC services are of the highest quality.

SBHCs are well positioned to address the mental/behavioral health needs of youth. The
CT Children’s Behavioral Health Implementation Plan (PA 13-178) identifies schools as
an opportune place to address the behavioral health needs of children and recommends
expanding SBHCs to meet those needs. From 2009 - 2013, mental health visits to
SBHCs increased by 11% -- from 30% of total visits to 41% of total visits (DPH data,
2013).

The Governor’s Education Reform Initiative provided funding to create new or expanded
SBHCs in our state’s lowest performing schools --10 new SBHC sites opened and 6
expanded staff hours to meet the increased demand for services.

The Connecticut Department of Public Health provides funding for 92 School Based
Health Center sites (SBHCs) in 22 communities.

More than 40,000 children and adolescents receive services annually in SBHCs in
130,000 visits
Healthy Kids Make Better Learners
CASBHC
P.O. Box 771
North Haven, CT 06473
www.ctschoolhealth.org
203-230-9976