HHS Announces Availability of $100 million for School-based Health Centers

Federal funding will support an estimated 200 grants in FY 2011

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced the availability of $100 million for the construction and renovation of school-based health centers (SBHCs).  These new investments are made possible by the Affordable Care Act.

School-based health centers are a major component of the nation’s health care safety net. They not only enable children with acute or chronic illnesses to attend school, but also improve the overall health and wellness of all children through health screenings, health promotion and disease prevention activities.

“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. “These new or improved sites will help ensure effective, efficient, and high-quality care.”

“Healthy children are more productive children,” said Dr. Mary Wakefield, administrator of HHS’ Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), which oversees the health center program.  “These grants will improve access to care for children, and help maximize their potential to learn.”

“We are excited about this opportunity to support and expand school-based health services for America’s children and adolescents. And we applaud the Department of Health and Human Services’ commitment to continuing to build this vital piece of the children’s health safety net,” said Linda Juszczak DNSc, MPH,CPNP, Executive Director of the National Assembly on School-Based Health Care.

These grants are part of HRSA’s School-Based Health Center Capital (SBHCC) Program.  HRSA expects to award an estimated 200 SBHCC grants in FY 2011 that can be used to construct, renovate or purchase equipment in school-based health centers.

For grant application information, please visit www.grants.gov.

The Health Resources and Services Administration is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  HRSA is the primary Federal agency responsible for improving access to health care services for people who are uninsured, isolated, or medically vulnerable.  For more information about HRSA and its programs, visit www.hrsa.gov.