LAC 50:XV.9101. Purpose

A. The Adolescent School Health Initiative Act of 1991 authorized the development of an adolescent school based health initiative to facilitate and encourage the provision of comprehensive health centers in public middle and secondary schools. Such health centers are referred to in this Chapter as “School Based Health Centers” (SBHCs). B. A SBHC is a health center that: 1. is located on a school campus (including mobile units); 2. is organized through school, community, and health provider relationships; 3. is administered by a sponsoring facility; 4. provides health services (including, but not limited to, both behavioral and physical health) to children and adolescents through health professionals in accordance with state and local law, including laws related to licensure and certification; 5. provides, at a minimum, health services during school hours to children and adolescents by health professionals in accordance with established standards of care, evidence-based practice, laws, regulations and requirements, including parental consent. C. For purposes of Subparagraph B.3 the term sponsoring facility includes any of the following: 1. a hospital; 2. a federally qualified health center (FQHC); 3. a for-profit or non-profit health care agency; or 4. a school or a school system, in partnership with a health facility. D. SBHCs provide convenient access to preventive and acute care services for students who might otherwise have limited or no access to health care. This care may be provided onsite or through telehealth.