Our School-Based Health Centers

Overview

Keeping Children Healthy and in Class We Bring the Doctor’s Office into the School

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School-based health centers are more than just a school nurse. They are a comprehensive approach to caring for our students. If children are healthy, they will learn more, stay in school and cut down on absentee rates. It is a holistic concept aimed at educating our students.

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In this economy, there are critical gaps in access to health care for many families. With soaring health care costs, school-based health centers have become a valuable community resource. Community Health of South Florida Inc.’s school-based health centers have efficient and cost-effective services that bridge the gap, keeping our children strong, healthy and ready to learn. If not for the school-based health centers, some students would never see a pediatrician or a dentist. Chronic illnesses would go unchecked. Behavioral health problems might not be recognized.

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With the recent outbreaks of tragic violence in our nation’s schools, mental health is now finally being recognized as a major need that communities have to address in order to keep our children safe.

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Community Health of South Florida Inc. (CHI) has a team of health care professionals tending to each issue affecting children at its 31 school-based health centers. Each team is comprised of a Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant, Patient Care Technician, and Social Worker.It is a doctor’s office inside the school. CHI health care professionals can do everything that is done in a regular doctor’s office including the administration of vaccines, check-ups and monitoring chronic diseases.

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Four of the 31 school-based health care centers are on the cutting edge of technology with telemedicine units installed for doctors at another location to virtually see a student via the computer, diagnose and even prescribe medications.

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Services that are beyond the scope of the school-based health centers are referred out to other CHI health centers equipped with a wide array of services including radiology, pharmacy and much more, all under one roof.

Services

Medical Care

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Comprehensive health assessment
Diagnosis of presenting health problems
Treatment/management of identified or presenting problems
Emergency/First-Aid
OB/GYN
Prescriptions

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Preventative Health Services and Risk Management

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Immunizations
Well child screening
Anticipatory guidance/counseling
Nutrition counseling and weight management
Vision and hearing screening
Tuberculin skin testing

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Behavioral Health

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Intake and assessment
Children’s outpatient therapy
Case management
Crisis assessment/intervention
Substance abuse counseling and coordination of referrals to primary health care services
Parenting skills training
Education and prevention services
Consultation and collaboration with school personnel and appropriate community agencies

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Laboratory

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Urine tests, dipstick and glucose
Other labs drawn and sent to reference laboratory/Dental
Basic exam
Dental Cleanings
Single Fillings
SealantsHealth Education/Promotion
One-on-one health education
Group targeted education
Family and community health education
Health Fairs/Outreach
Support for comprehensive health education in the classroom in such areas as: intentional and unintentional injury prevention, nutrition, social skills development, conflict resolution, chronic conditions (i.e. asthma), and oral health