“The Role of SBHCs through the Eyes of Educators”

National Assembly on School-Based Health Care

June 30, 2007 Washington D.C.

Objectives Participants will gain an understanding of

educational policies related to academic success and intersections with the mission of SBHCs.

Participants will gain an understanding of professional educators’ perceptions of the relationship between educational goals and health, mental health and social service providers in the context of SBHCs.

Participants will gain an understanding of common purposes, positive messages and effective strategies that can create and develop long-term relationships between education entities and health providers consistent with the goals of the SBHC movement.

Illinois Coalitionfor School Health Centers

Inclusion of education objectives in strategic plan

SuccessesIllinois State Board of EducationProfessional organizations and

publicationsLocal partnerships and policies

Engagement in policy efforts

Many conclude that persistent achievement gaps must result from wrongly designed school policies –

either expectations that are too low, teachers who are insufficiently qualified, curricula that are badly

designed, classes that are too large, school climates that are too

undisciplined, leadership that is too unfocused, or a combination of

these. In some cases they may be right. However…

What’s needed: highly qualified teachers effective school leadership well designed curricula supportive school communities smaller class sizes school environments that are conducive to learning

programs to address educational needs of entire school populations

Five major areas that are vital to closing the achievement gap:

1.Greater Income Stability and Equality—supporting incomes of low-wage parents

2.Stable Housing—national policy to reduce mobility of low-income families may do more to boost test scores than many instructional reforms

3.Early Childhood Education4.Summer/After School Programs

5. School-Community Clinics that provide comprehensive programs for school communities especially for those with high numbers of disadvantaged children.

Marketing messages that appeal to school communities

1.Close the Achievement Gap2.Lower Student Absences3.Lower Teacher Absences4.No significant costs to the district5.Completely separate…no administrative oversight

6.Parents Don’t Have to Leave Work

7.Medications delivered

Another Reason Educators Should Consider SBHCs(Illinois’ Illini Plan)

WHAT WOULD ALL THIS COST?To close the achievement gap, it

will cost an additional $12,500 per pupil over and above the $8,000

average to provide these programs to low-income students.

A total of 156 billion annuallyWhich is 2/3 of the average annual

tax cuts approved since 2001 & less than ½ amount spent in IRAQ

to date

1. INFORM OUR VARIOUS AUDIENCES ABOUT THE MANY VARIABLES THAT CONTRIBUTE TO THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP

2. ADVOCATE FOR POLICY CHANGES THAT WILL ADDRESS THESE NEEDS.

3. IN PARTICULAR TO THIS DISUCSSION—WE NEED TO LOOK FOR PARTNERSHIPS/INNOVATIVE WAYS TO ADDRESS STUDENT HEALTH NEEDS.

What can/should we do to close the achievement gap?

Schools - Total: 623 (FY2006-07)

Students - Total: 420,982 (FY2005-06)

Elementary Schools (481)• 409 traditional elementary schools • 39 magnet schools • 16 middle schools • 8 gifted centers • 9 special ed schools

Student Enrollment• 19,471 Pre-School • 1,734 Pre-School special education • 29,502 kindergarten • 261,143 elementary (1-8) • 109,982 secondary

High Schools (115) • 37 general/technical • 12 vocational/career schools • 12 magnet schools • 8 math & science academy • 4 military academy • 21 small schools • 9 achievement academy • 3 alternative school • 9 special ed schools

Charter Schools (27)31 Elementary campuses 16 High School campuses

Student Racial Breakdown• 48.6% African-American • 37.6% Latino • 8.1% White • 3.2% Asian/Pacific Islander • 2.4% Multi-Racial • 0.1% Native American

Additional Student Information 85.6% of students from low-income families 13.7% are limited-English-proficient 92.1% citywide attendance rate

 

Chicago Public Schools

Coordinated School Health @ CPS: Organization and Function

Office of Specialized Services- Coordinated School Health:

• Physical Development & Health –Comprehensive Health Education–Family and Community Partnerships–HIV/AIDS Prevention–Occupational Therapy/Physical Therapy–School Nursing–Vision and Hearing Program

• Mental Health Services–Avenues for Success–Local Area Network (LAN)–ICARE/Behavior Interventions–Safe and Drug-Free/Title IV Programs–School Psychology–School Social Work

• Social & Emotional Learning–Elementary Counseling–Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS)–School Based Problem Solving–Quality Assurance

• Crisis Intervention

Physical Health Requirements:• Dental/Oral Health Examinations• Immunizations• Physical Health Examinations• Vision and Hearing Screenings• IEP/504 Related Services

Social/Emotional Learning Competencies:• Self-awareness• Social Awareness• Self-management• Relationship Skills• Responsible Decision Making

Priority Health Behavior Areas:• Alcohol and Other Drug Use• Injuries and Violence• Sexual Health Behaviors• Tobacco Use• Dietary Behaviors• Physical Activity

CPS School Health Centers

21 currently operating+1 Mental Health Only

2 to open in 2007-20085 funded to open in 2008-20094 closed due to County budget

3 will re-open in 2007-2008Project # of Centers in 2007-2008=26

Healthy Children are Healthy Learners

One child in four -- fully 10 million -- is at risk of failure in school because of social, emotional, and health handicaps.1

…data from Harvard University’s School of Public Health Found a strong correlation between poor nutrition and health and low achievement. 2

Poor children have twice the average rate of severe vision impairment. 3

Untreated cavities are nearly 3 times as prevalent among poor children than among middle-class. 4

Low income students, particularly those living in densely populated urban areas have substantially higher asthma rates. 5

Low income students have dangerously high blood lead levels. 6

School Health Centers and CPS Successes

Development of Site License Agreement

Development of Formal School Health Center Establishment Process

Cook County Health SystemClinic closuresChicago Mobilization

Tips for Success

Believe in the ModelDevelop Strong relationships

With State Funder/CertifierWith Illinois Coalition of School

Health CentersWithin the School SystemWith the Community Health System

Persistence and Responsiveness

Challenges

Big Systems=Lots of hands

Education Systems don’t embrace Health

Time

Marion, IL - Community ProfileLocation: Rural southern IllinoisPopulation: 17,100Demographics:

White non-Hispanic: 92% Black: 4.3% Additional Minority: 3.4% Employment Opportunity: Public Administration and

Healthcare College Educated: 23.1% (Bachelor degree or

higher) Median Income: $30,364 14.9% below poverty rate Median Age: 40 years old

Marion Unit #2 District Profile

Student Enrollment – 4065 Faculty: 240Support Staff: 300Eight Buildings

5 Elementary1 Middle School1 High School

Healthcare Provider & Wellness Center Partner

Shawnee Health ServiceNot-for-profit 501(c)(3)Federally Qualified Health CenterServes the lower 13 counties of

southern Illinois10 service centers (Including Unit #2

Wellness Center) Designed to ensure that income or lack

of insurance is not a barrier to quality health care

Idea To Implementation

During the 2003-2004 school year, talks began between school administration and Shawnee Health professionals

Opposition was met from both community health providers and high school administration

Timeline for start date did not allow sufficient time for grant writing and funding

Start up funds and facility work all provided by Marion Unit #2 and Shawnee Health

Resulted in the only school based health center in Illinois that is not supported by federal or state grant $

Marion Unit # 2 Wellness CenterHoused at Marion High SchoolConverted classroom

Approximately 900 square feetStaff

1 PA 1 LPN 1 Dentist 1 Receptionist

Services Chronic and acute illness Minor injuries Routine physicals Health education Disease prevention Dental Services Serves Marion Unit #2 student, faculty, staff, and their immediate

families

Wellness Center Survey1. If so, how many times have you used the clinic?

21% Once52% 2-5 times21% 6-10 times6% More than 10

2. Has the clinic reduced your absenteeism from work?50% Yes50% No

3. If yes, what % best describes your reduction?54% 0-20% Reduction26% 25-50% Reduction10% 55-75% Reduction10% More than 75%

4. Do you see this as a benefit to working at Unit #2?82% Yes

5. What is your perception of the impact the clinic has had on student attendance in your classroom?

89% Increased attendance11% No change

Serving Patients (Students & Staff)Academic Year – 2004-2005Academic Year – 2004-2005– High School – 335High School – 335– Jr. High- 93Jr. High- 93– Elementary – 217Elementary – 217– Staff – 400Staff – 400

Academic Year – 2005-2006Academic Year – 2005-2006– High School – 419High School – 419– Jr. High – 158Jr. High – 158– Elementary – 340Elementary – 340– Staff - 608Staff - 608

Academic Year – 2006-2007Academic Year – 2006-2007– High School – 584High School – 584– Jr. High – 221Jr. High – 221– Elementary – 434Elementary – 434– Staff - 709Staff - 709

Faculty & Staff Attendance Record (Sick Days)

Academic Year 2004-2005 Average Sick Days – 11.3 per employee

Academic Year 2005 – 2006 Average Sick Days – 10 per employee

Academic Year 2006 – 2007 Average Sick Days – 8 per employee

Note: Reduction of 3.3 sick days per year per employee saves the district: $119,000 per year (3 New Teachers)

Advantages to School and Community (i.e. Marketing

Message)

Lower student absencesLower teacher absencesNo cost to the districtNo administrative oversightParents don’t leave work to get child treated

Medication delivered on site

Contact Information Stephen C. Smith, Principal

Marion High School Marion, IL 62959

618-993-8196 ssmith@marionunit2.org

QUESTIONS

BibliographyRothstein, R. (2006) Reforms that could help narrow the achievement gap. WestEd. Retrieved September 15, 2006, from WestEd database, at http://www.wested.org/online_pubs/pp-06 -02.pdfRothstein R. (2004) The achievement gap: A broader picture. Educational Leadership. 62, 3, 40-43. Rothstein, R. (2004). Using social, economic, and education reform to close the black-white achievement gap. New York: Teachers College Press.