School Based Health Center SBHC
Sunrise Thompson Health Clinic (a school-based health center)
In 2020, The Thompson School District partnered with Sunrise Community Health and SummitStone Health Partners to open the Sunrise Thompson Health Clinic, located on the Peakview Academy at Conrad Ball campus. Increasingly, students in our community experience disparities in the ability to access critically needed health services. As a result, physical, social, emotional, behavioral, and academic outcomes may be negatively impacted. Providing access to these services for children and adolescents creates an equitable opportunity to learn and grow.
What is a SBHC?
School-based health centers (SBHCs) are primary care clinics situated on primary and secondary school campuses in the United States. Most SBHCs provide a combination of primary care, mental health care, substance abuse counseling, case management, dental health, nutrition education, health education and health promotion. They reach at-risk populations in a location that is safe and convenient. This is accomplished through collaborative efforts between the school district and the community health partner.
What are the benefits of a School-Based Health Center?
- School Based Health Centers remove barriers and provide convenient access to quality care.
- Students can be seen before, after, or during the school day to avoid unnecessary absences, and parents/guardians may not have to take time off from work.
- Thompson School District nurses, who know their students and families well, can provide a meaningful bridge of care through a close collaboration.
- Without access to the SBHC, families are forced to seek care at urgent care/emergency departments, increasing out-of-pocket costs and impacting continuity of care.
- Providers create a lasting continuity of care from intake/assessment through diagnosis, treatment, and future follow up.
- Because of the center's connection with Sunrise Community Health, low and no-cost visits may be available to qualifying families.
- Telehealth visits are also available.
- Many centers offer same-day appointments or permit walk-ins.
Who can use a SBHC?
Any District student and their siblings are eligible to use a SBHC. The SBHC can serve as a primary care provider or can work with a student’s primary care provider.
Why choose a SBHC?
SBHC’s offer convenient care that limits the amount of time students are out of class and parents/guardians have to be off work. Students are often able to get same day or next day appointments.
What services may be offered?
Medical Services
- Well Child Checks which meet the requirements of school, sports, camp and employment physical exams.
- Labs and Vaccinations as needed.
- Care for chronic conditions such as asthma
- Care for acute injury and illness
- Telehealth services
Dental Services
- Screenings, cleanings, sealants, fluoride application, dental x-rays, exams.
- Fillings, extractions, and urgent dental care.
Behavioral Health Services
(provided by North Range Behavioral Health and SummitStone Health Partners)
- Screening and Brief Interventions for common Behavioral Health concerns.
- Brief Therapy sessions for depression, anxiety, substance use, coping skills, etc.
Who Provides Services?
- Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant, or Physician
- Dentist and Dental Hygienist
- Mental Health Therapist or Substance Use Counselor
Parent Involvement
Parents/guardians must sign a registration form before their student may use the health center and a minor consent form if the student will visit the center without the parent present.
Supporting family communication is an important goal of SBHC’s. Parents/guardians are encouraged to join visits when possible and sign up for a patient portal, so they have a copy of the visit summary.
Colorado State law allows minors to access some health services without parental consent. If a student meets the age requirements and requests health services permitted by law, a signed parental consent form is not required.
What does it cost?
Sunrise turns no one away based on ability to pay. Sunrise will bill Medicaid, CHP+, and private insurance. Patients without insurance coverage may qualify for the Sunrise sliding fee scale which is based on family size and income.
Address
Sunrise Thompson Health Clinic
2880 N. Monroe Ave.
Loveland, CO 80538
Phone: (970) 613-6800
Monday-Thursday 8 A.M.-6 P.M.
Resources
Sunrise Patient Registration Form, Authorization to Consent to Treatment of a Minor, and Patient Privacy Notice can be found on the Sunrise Website.