Information for Parents, Health/Medical Staff and Legislators
School-Based Health Centers (SBHCs) in Delaware
Position Statement
- The goals of SBHCs in Delaware are to provide primary prevention and early intervention
for health problems among the student population by:
- providing preventive care
- detecting signs of emotional stress and psychosocial problems for counseling and/or referral
- facilitating students’ use of health care systems by establishing links with primary health care providers
- promoting on-going comprehensive health care for students of all ages
- encouraging parent involvement in the health of their adolescents
- working toward the improvement of the students’ knowledge of the importance of preventive health care
- improving (responsible) decision-making about health matters
- reducing risk-taking behaviors
- developing health promoting behaviors
- providing early detection of chronic conditions and early diagnosis and treatment of minor and acute illnesses and health problems.
- All school-based health centers will receive school board approval prior to the implementation of the center’s services. All service components will be approved by the local school board based on the needs of the student population as identified through a needs assessment survey.
- All school-based health centers must receive written parental permission prior to providing medical services to students.
- School-based health centers do not supplant the family physician. The centers are intended to provide care for minor problems, detect and refer students with serious problems. The centers serve as facilitators to assure that teens and their families access all the necessary services.
- School records and center records are kept separately to insure confidentiality.
- Centers may be funded by state or federal dollars; through a community partnership; through grant sources; but also require the support of the school with in-kind or actual dollars. The Division of Public Health will remain the manager to assure that the facility is implemented in accordance with the model and standards for school-based health centers.
- The following services may be offered in school-based health centers in accordance
with item 2:
- diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases and
- provision of HIV antibody testing and counseling.
- Reproductive health services (i.e. family planning, gynecological care) will not be provided at any school-based health center in Delaware.
For information about medical vendors operating SBHCs and contract information go to:
For more information, contact the Division of Public Health School-Based Health Center Central Office .
