School Based Health Center → Health FAQ
Everything You Always Wanted to Know About School-Based Health Centers
Linkages to Learning School-Based Health Center at Gaithersburg E.S.
Site Coordinator: Patricia Rodriguez 301-208-2770
School Community Health Nurse: Carmen Alcaine, R.N. 301-926-1628
What is a School-Based Health Center?
A School-Based Health Center (“SBHC”) provides medical care as well as social, mental health, dental and health education services to students and their families in the school setting. By providing services directly in the school setting, families are able to receive needed services in a place that is familiar, among people they already trust. Parents can learn ways to help improve the health and well-being of their children in a comfortable setting and can also find out about other services that will help the whole family.
We believe that the SBHC will help children become better learners when the barriers to learning are reduced by addressing the physical, emotional and social problems of students and their families. SBHC’s can help families develop healthier life-styles that benefit children as they grow and become contributing members of our community.
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What happens at Linkages to Learning School-Based Health Centers?
At Broad Acres, Harmony Hills and Gaithersburg Elementary Schools, the Linkages to Learning School-Based Health Centers (LTL-SBHC’s) nurse practitioners and physicians, working with the school nurse and school health aide, provide primary health care services including sick care, immunizations and physical examinations are available at the SBHC’s. Additionally counseling, social service assistance, educational support services and off-site dental service are provided. Referrals to the LTL-SBHC’s may be made by members of the school staff, the school nurse, Linkages staff or through self-referral by parents or students.
Many agencies and community organizations work together to provide comprehensive services to students and their families. Examples of related services include translation services to assist families, health fairs, health education classes, parenting support groups, adult ESOL or literacy classes, tutoring for children, recreational programs and holiday food and toy drives.
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How will my child access the LTL-SBHC health services?
- You will need to complete, sign and return an enrollment form. Children can receive a variety of medical services once they are enrolled.
- All children enrolled in these elementary schools are eligible for enrollment in the SBHC’s, regardless of insurance status.
- Staff will work with families without insurance to assist them in accessing medical care through programs such as Maryland Children’s Health Program (MCHP/HealthChoice) or Care for Kids. This process will require proof of income, address and other information as needed for particular programs.
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What if I have a regular doctor through private health insurance?
- If you have private health insurance, the SBHC can provide urgent sick care and minor injury visits, and will coordinate follow-up medical services with your private doctor. Your child should continue to be seen by his or her regular doctor for their annual physical examination.
- Children without insurance are eligible for comprehensive physical examinations.
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What kind of health care services are included?
Children may receive routine well care, sick care and follow-up services at the SBHC, including physical examinations, laboratory work, immunizations, standing order medications and prescriptions.
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What about prescriptions?
The nurse practitioner and physician will prescribe medication as needed. Some medications may be obtained at the SBHC; others may be purchased at your community pharmacy. SBHC staff will explain how to take the medication and answer your questions about it. They will also monitor how your child responds to the medicine.
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Will there be a dentist?
The nurse practitioner will conduct a dental screening on enrolled children. Students in need of further dental care may be referred to the dentist and dental hygienist working in partnership with the SBHC’s through the local Department of Health and Human Services Dental Program or to their private source of dental care.
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What about cost?
- Services at the SBHC are free to students and their families.
- Sick care and well child services provided by the SBHC are billed to the student’s insurance carriers. Reimbursement from the carrier is accepted as payment in full.
- No enrolled student will be denied access to care at the SBHC’s.
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Can brothers or sisters of Gaithersburg students receive medical care?
Medical services are only available to uninsured brothers or sisters of students enrolled at Gaithersburg Elementary School. The SBHC staff will help refer other family members to alternative community resources.
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Who will provide the medical care?
Nurse practitioners from Catholic University of America and physicians from Holy Cross Hospital / Children’s National Medical Center provide primary health care. The school nurse and the certified nursing assistant support these health care partners, and also provide basic school health services to all students during school hours, whether they are enrolled for SBHC services or not.
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Will the staff speak my language?
Bilingual staff and interpreters are available.
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Must a parent be present when the child receives medical care?
With parental permission, children may be seen for sick care without a parent being present. The nurse will contact the parent on the day of services. Parents are encouraged to be present for all well child visits.
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Who will have access to the medical records? What about confidentiality?
State law requires that all services provided at the SBHC are confidential. The medical records belong to the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (MCDHHS) and are protected by the Department’s regulations and HIPAA guidelines. The SBHC must ask for your written permission before releasing information to any individual(s) or agency, except to share treatment information with your child’s doctor.
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How do I sign up?
Complete the enrollment packet providing written parental permission and return it to the SBHC staff.
Enrollment Form (pdf)
Enrollment Form-Spanish (pdf)
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For further information please contact:
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