What is a school-based health center?

  • The school-based health center at Cascade High School is staffed by a team of experienced and compassionate providers who are committed to providing students with safe, private, and accessible health services on campus! 

    A school-based health center is a standard model used nationally and locally to increase access to preventative and acute healthcare services for young people in public school settings. There are currently over 65 operating in Washington State. Nationally, there are nearly 2,600 clinics in operation, according to the most recent census. Additional information about the model is available on the Washington State and National SBHC Alliance Websites. 

Services Offered

    • Illness or injury
    • Chronic condition and medication management
    • Dental care
    • Insurance eligibility and enrollment assistance
    • Mental, behavioral, and social emotional health services
    • Sexual and reproductive healthcare
    • Sports physicals
    • Wellness exams and preventative healthcare, including health education
    • Referrals to other healthcare providers and specialists as needed

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the difference between seeing the school nurse and visiting the SBHC?

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    School nurses are responsible for the day-to-day oversight and management of the entire student population’s health within their school buildings. SBHCs provide primary, behavioral health, and other healthcare services, such as dental care, to enrolled students. The school nurse can refer students to school-based health services if needed for follow-up care, immunizations, sports physicals, etc.
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  • What is the cost for students?

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    There is no out-of-pocket cost for students accessing services at the school-based health center. Health insurance, if available, will be billed for eligible services, but families will not receive a bill for service costs above insurance coverage.
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  • What information can be shared with school staff?

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    As a separate healthcare entity, CHC must follow all privacy laws for care provided at the school-based health center. This means that CHC cannot share some information with school staff, and staff cannot communicate with CHC. An overview of these regulations is available here. 
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  • Are services confidential?

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    Parents need to register students for most services and can do so online here. School-based health centers follow all Washington State minor consent laws, and parents/guardians are included in care whenever it is safe and possible. 
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  • Is interpretation available?

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    Yes! CHC provides free interpretation via bilingual staff as well as through in-person, phone-based, and video interpreter services.
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  • How is this program funded?

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    CHC operates school-based health centers through grant funds from the Verdant Health Commission and Foundry 10, insurance reimbursement for eligible services, and other resources. There is no cost to the school for clinic operations except for utilities used by the clinic during the school year.
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