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2022 National Census of School-Based Health Centers

Find the answers to frequently asked questions below.

Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE CENSUS?
SBHA and the University of California, San Francisco conducted the Census to collect updated data about SBHC locations and services. SBHA last conducted a Census of SBHCs in 2016-2017. Since then, SBHA has tried to keep its SBHC data updated with input from the field, but many new SBHCs have opened and were not yet accounted for in critical national reports. SBHA and its constituents will use the Census findings to advocate for local, state, and national policy and funding initiatives and provide targeted technical assistance to the field.

WHAT INFORMATION DID THE CENSUS COLLECT?
The 2022 Census asked for information about SBHCs’ sponsoring/administrative and partner organizations; schools with access; funding and revenue source(s); services and staffing; and sustainability activities.

HOW IS THE 2022 CENSUS DIFFERENT FROM THE 2021 NATIONAL SURVEY OF SBHCS?
The 2021 National Survey of SBHCs focused on the experiences of SBHCs during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

WHO SHOULD COMPLETE THE CENSUS?
This survey intends to gather information on SBHCs that provide primary care (often in addition to other health services, e.g., behavioral health, oral health, vision, etc.) to school communities. Note: SBHA does not collect data on school nursing programs, mental health only programs, or oral health only programs.

The term “school-based health center” refers to one of four distinct delivery models of primary care and other health care services.

  • SCHOOL-BASED: Patients access primary care in a fixed facility on a school campus; other services may be provided in-person or via telehealth.
  • SCHOOL-LINKED: Patients access primary care in a fixed facility near a school campus; other services may be provided in-person or via telehealth.
  • MOBILE: Patients access primary care in a specially equipped van or bus parked on or near a school campus; other services may be provided in-person or via telehealth.
  • TELEHEALTH EXCLUSIVE: Patients access primary care in a designated space at the school EXCLUSIVELY via telehealth; other services may be provided in-person or via telehealth.

We recognize that SBHC delivery models have evolved over time to use variations of these models to meet the needs of their communities. We aim to capture information on these variations as well.

HOW LONG WILL THE SURVEY TAKE TO COMPLETE?
The survey will take about 10-15 minutes to complete for each SBHC. If you are completing the survey for >5 SBHCs, contact research@sbh4all.org for an alternate survey format to simplify completion.

HOW LONG WILL THE SURVEY BE OPEN?
We aim to complete data collection before the end of the 2021-2022 school year. This timeline will improve our efficiency in outreach and dissemination of findings.

HOW ARE SBHCS IDENTIFIED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CENSUS?
SBHA maintains a national database of SBHCs. We continually update the database with information on SBHC openings and closures through communications with organizational and individual partners and news announcements found online. If you have recent contact information for your state or the SBHC(s) you work with, please contact research@sbh4all.org to help the outreach process and increase representation in the Census.  

HOW ARE DATA SHARED AND CONFIDENTIALITY PROTECTED? 
SBHA is committed to sharing Census data as a resource to diverse audiences while respecting the privacy of our SBHC partners. We publish aggregate survey findings in presentations and publications. We will not identify SBHCs in these presentations/publications unless you elect to share a story highlighting your SBHC and give SBHA and/or UCSF permission to share your SBHC name.

We also upload SBHC locations and basic characteristics on our Children’s Health and Education Mapping Tool. Additionally, we share Census data with the following entities:

  • State affiliates and state programs offices: We share individual, identifiable responses with respective state offices to streamline survey burden and share timely data for advocacy.
  • University and private research organizations: We share Census data with research partners to help understand SBHC programming and expansion trends. All research partners are required to sign Data Use Agreements (DUAs) with SBHA outlining how data will be used, stored, and disseminated. These DUAs prohibit research partners from publishing SBHC locations, SBHC contact information, or any data/findings that could lead to the identification of individual SBHCs.


WHO SHOULD I CONTACT IF I WANT TO COMPLETE THE CENSUS OR HAVE FURTHER QUESTIONS? 
To begin your 2022 Census of SBHCs today, visit: http://tiny.ucsf.edu/2022CensusofSBHCs. For additional information, please email research@sbh4all.org.