Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius last week announced awards of more than $80 million to 197 school-based health center programs across the country, made possible by the Affordable Care Act.  

This funding will allow school-based health centers to serve an additional 384,000 students, and continue the expansion of preventive and primary health care services.  

“These new investments will help school-based health centers establish new sites or upgrade their current facilities to keep our children healthy,” said Secretary Sebelius.

School-based health centers enable children with acute or chronic illnesses to attend school and improve the overall health and wellness of all children through health screenings, health promotion and disease prevention activities.

Typically, a school-based clinic provides a combination of primary care, mental health care, substance abuse counseling, case management, dental health, nutrition education, health education and health promotion activities.

“Healthy children are more productive children,” said Health Resources and Services Administrator Mary K. Wakefield, Ph.D., R.N. “These grants will improve access to care for children, and help maximize their potential to learn.”

The Affordable Care Act provides $200 million in funding from fiscal years 2010 – 2013 for the School-Based Health Center Capital Program (SBHCCP).

The grants are the third in the series of awards that is made available to school-based health centers under the Affordable Care Act.  

For a full list of awards, visit: www.hrsa.gov/about/news/2012tables/121218schoolbasedawards.html .

To learn more about the Affordable Care Act, visit www.healthcare.gov . The Health Resources and Services Administration oversees the SBHCCP.