Transformative Funding Boosts School-Based Health Care Expansion Across 22 Schools in Six Alaska Boroughs
Washington, D.C., October 2024 – School-Based Health Alliance (SBHA), the national leader and advocate for school-based health care, is proud to announce that seven organizations supporting 22 schools ranging from elementary through high school across six boroughs in Alaska have been awarded one-time funding to enhance and expand school-based health care services. This funding aims to directly provide coordinated, culturally sensitive, and developmentally appropriate health care in schools, ensuring students have quick and easy access to essential health services.
The State of Alaska Department of Health provided the funding and selected SBHA to manage its administration. In addition to overseeing the funds, SBHA will offer ongoing training and technical assistance to the awarded organizations. This support extends to both awarded and interested Alaskan organizations, including school districts, hospitals, Federally Qualified Health Centers, mental health providers, community-based organizations, county health departments, and other community health centers. SBHA will ensure that the training and services offered are of the highest quality and customized to meet the unique needs of each community.
The grant process was highly competitive, with applications from numerous organizations across Alaska.
The awarded funds can initiate or expand a wide range of health services, including primary care, mental and behavioral health, dental care, telehealth, mobile services, workforce expansion, equipment purchases, outreach, and health promotion or education. The youth mental health crisis in the country is a specific concern, and this funding can address the immediate needs within the Alaska school
communities.
“Students and families will be positively impacted by receiving expanded mental health services after normal school hours have concluded for the day,” said Dr. Ronald Malcolm, Assistant Director of Student Services and Special Education of Northwest Arctic Borough School District, one of the grantees.
School-based health centers (SBHCs) are crucial partnerships between schools and community health organizations, providing essential health care where students spend most of their time – in schools. Parents or guardians must provide consent for their children to receive care, ensuring a collaborative approach to student health.
“With this funding, we are making significant strides in improving health care access for Alaska’s students,” said Robert Boyd, CEO, School-Based Health Alliance. “By offering comprehensive health services directly in schools, students can quickly address their health needs and return to the classroom ready to learn.”
SBHA will provide monthly training and technical assistance throughout the funding period, collect and review data, oversee and disburse funds, provide resources, and facilitate a learning network among awardees. SBHA’s consulting team, with decades of combined experience, is committed to supporting these organizations in planning, implementing, operating, evaluating, and continuously improving school-based health care services.
For more information about School-Based Health Alliance and its consulting services, please visit www.sbh4all.org/consulting-services.