School Health State Associations: Benefits and Challenges Workshop Michigan’s Perspective Midwest School Health Conference July 23-24, 2008 School-Community Health Alliance of Michigan Debbie Brinson, MPA Executive Director
School-Community Health Alliance of Michigan (SCHA-MI) Working Together to Build a Healthy Future!
Informal Network Established in 1998 as an Informal Network to meet the unique needs of school-based and school-linked health centers and programs in Michigan. ■ Loosely held network of health center providers
Informal vs. Formal Met couple times a year for the purposes of: Professional Networking and Support Informal Conversations with the State Sharing of Ideas Informal Network to Formal Structure in 2002 Paid Staff Formal Organization vs. Network Linked with Mature Organization
Recognized Need Support to the school-based and school-linked health center network Recognized need for delivering support services Recognized need for collective and unified voice Understood importance of consistent advocacy and presence
Michigan’s Structure A 501c3 Organization: Governed by a Board of Directors both elected by membership and appointed by board Paid staff – 6 specialized positions Moved to independence in 2004 Secured office space for the association
Michigan’s Association Structure Provide the Following Services: Professional Development and Training Statewide Conferences Centralized Billing and Reporting Service Technical Assistance Support to the State Advocacy and Policy Development at State and National level
Revenue Sources Foundations Michigan Department of Community Health Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Service Fees: trainings/events registration fees, billing service, technical assistance, etc. Local Health Departments
Membership Mission Statement: All children and youth will have access to primary care and prevention services. Membership: Open to anyone who believes in this mission. We have both individual and organization membership levels and rates.
Models of Care in Michigan Child and Adolescent Health Centers and Programs State funding: competitive application every 5 years; and each community/school decides which model of care best meets the unique health care needs of its students, school population and community. Models of Care: School-Based Health Centers School-Linked Health Centers School Nursing Programs/Services Health Education
Has it Made a Difference ? Established first Centralized Billing Service Increased the amount of funding available to grantees Increased the length of state contracts from 3 to 5 years Secured reimbursement for mental health services through Medicaid
Has it made a difference? More than doubled the amount of state-funded health centers and programs in Michigan!
Partnerships: Belief that ALL CHILDREN and YOUTH should have ACCESS to HEALTH CARE and PREVENTION Services School Nurses contracted with SCHA-MI to act as their lobbyist and currently exploring joint membership Michigan Model, comprehensive health education program, works cooperatively with SCHA-MI Work cooperatively with school social workers
State Office and Association Roles and Responsibilities Oversight and Accountability Advocacy Technical Assistance
Thanks! Contact Information: Debbie Brinson, MPA Executive Director , ext. 229