Research shows that school-based health services have a positive impact on students’ health, attendance, behavior, and academic achievement. WestEd’s school-based health finance and policy experts help state and local leaders expand and sustain school-based services to address students’ physical and mental health needs.
How We Help
By integrating health services into the educational setting, schools and health care partners can reduce barriers to learning and promote health equity by increasing access to prevention and treatment services for children and youth.
At WestEd, we work with state and local leaders—including those from education, health care, and community-based organizations—to sustain and strengthen systems for school-based health care.
With decades of experience in school-based health finance and policy, our team specializes in helping leaders find sustainable ways to expand and fund school-based health services. For example, our technical assistance builds leaders’ and staff’s capacity to leverage Medicaid reimbursement as a revenue source, translate school Medicaid program information for internal and external audiences, and create effective systems for cross-sector collaboration.
Utilizing best practices from across the country, our guidance, trainings, and individualized support help state and local leaders reduce the barriers to accessing Medicaid and other health care funding, unlocking essential revenue to support school-based health.
Service Delivery
- Online, onsite, or hybrid
Who Will Benefit
- Local education agencies
- State education agencies
- State and regional health agencies
- Tribal governments
- Health plans
- Community-based health care providers
WestEd provided student-centered, engaging, thought-provoking professional development that led us to dig deep into our data and decision-making discussions.
— Dr. Kathy Ruggeberg
Assistant Superintendent for Teaching & Learning, Rock Island – Milan
School District #41
Featured Experts
Kelsey Krausen
Lisa Eisenberg
Connecting Research With Practice
Research shows that school-based and school-linked health services, such as those offered through school-based health centers, increase access to health care; reduce absences, dropout rates, and disciplinary problems; improve academic performance; and improve a wide range of health outcomes. By reducing barriers to accessing health care, such as lack of transportation, cost of care, or parent inability to take time off work for appointments, school-based health services also advance health equity.
To advance these positive outcomes for schools, students, and communities, WestEd helps state and local leaders establish sustainable systems that ensure all students can access the mental and physical health services they need.
More Related to this Service
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Resources
Browse our high-quality publications and resources designed to inform and engage professionals in a variety of fields including K–12 education, early childhood, and health and justice.
