Formed in 1995, the West Virginia School-Based Health Assembly is a membership organization affiliated with the WV Primary Care Association, bringing together individuals and organizations in a unified voice to advance comprehensive health care for West Virginia’s children and adolescents in school settings.

West Virginia School-Based Health Assembly
c/o West Virginia Primary Care Association
1219 Virginia Street East
Charleston, WV 25301
(304) 342-1330
(304) 757-5280
www.wvsbha.org

The WVSBHA is a member of the National Assembly on School-Based Health Care:
www.nasbhc.org

 


The West Virginia School-Based Health Assembly (WVSBHA) promotes health services in schools to help students be healthy learners. As a state-wide membership organization, the Assembly brings together interested individuals and organizations to advance comprehensive health care in school settings through responsive policies, practices and partnerships. Periodic e-news will be sent throughout the year. For more information on membership and the WVSBHA, visit: www.wvsbha.org.

Federal Advocacy Update
  • House Introduces SHBC Authorization Bill: School-Based Health Center Champions Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito (WV) and Congresswoman Darlene Hooley (OR), have introduced the School-Based Health Clinic Act along with 15 other co-sponsors. H.R. 4230 is the companion bill to the Senate authorizing bill S. 600 introduced last year. A special thank you to Congresswoman Capito for her leadership and support of this legislation that would authorize a grant-based program for the operation and development of school-based health centers. (SBHCs).
  • SBHC Study: The Senate recently added a provision to the community health center reauthorization bill that calls for a study of the economic costs and benefits of school-based health centers in rural and other underserved areas. The study is to be completed two years from the passage of the bill.
State-level Advocacy Update
  • The State Board of Education recently approved a policy modifying the list of approved foods to be sold in schools. This policy was drafted in part to respond to the report issued in April 2007 by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) - Nutrition Standards for Healthy Schools: Leading the Way Toward Healthier Youth. The new state policy will limit fat, sodium and sugar content in school breakfasts, lunches and snacks, along with other foods and beverages often found in vending machines. As a step to fully comply with the IOM standards, the state legislature has introduced legislation to eliminate the sale of soft drinks in the schools. School nutrition, along with policy recommendations to improve oral health and mental health were key issues discussed at a recent policy roundtable sponsored by the School-Based Health Assembly.
  • Governor Manchin’s proposed legislative platform includes the implementation of Kids First, a kindergarten health screening program to ensure every child enrolling in kindergarten has a comprehensive wellness screening beginning with the 2008-2009 school year. More information about the Kids First Screening Initiative is available through the official web site: www.wvkidsfirst.org.
  • School-Based Health Center Open House Campaign A Success! WVSBHA, in conjunction with the West Virginia Primary Care Association has launched an open house campaign to inform targeted audiences about the extremely valuable services that SBHCs provide to keep students healthy and in the classroom. Beginning in October, the events at 8 school-based health centers were attended by First Lady Gayle Manchin, WVU President Mike Garrison, Strongest Man in the World Phil Pfister, DHHR Secretary Martha Walker, WV Superintendent of Schools Steve Paine, legislators, students, parents, school nurses, and other local providers. All eight events generated positive media and energized champions! Stay tuned for more Open Houses to follow in the spring!
Upcoming Training and Learning Opportunities
  • 2008 Public Policy Forum and Children's Day at the Legislature, Feb. 12-13, 2008. Join other child advocates for the 2008 Public Policy Forum and Children's Day at the Legislature, Feb. 12 - 13, 2008, featuring state and national speakers, legislative updates, advocacy workshops, exhibits and meetings with state legislators. The Policy Forum will be held Feb. 12, 2008 at the Charleston House Holiday Inn, and Children’s Day at the Legislature will be held Feb. 13, 2008 at the State Capitol. Register on-line: http://www.preventchildabusewv.org.
  • Unifying for the Future: the State of Tobacco Issues in West Virginia conference will be held February 19-20, 2008 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Charleston, WV Registration deadline for the conference is February 7, 2008.  There is no registration fee for this conference thanks in large part to a grant from the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, Bureau for Public Health,  Division of Tobacco Prevention. Registration information is available at: www.ctfwv.com.
  • The West Virginia School-Based Health Assembly Annual Meeting will be held on Thursday, April 10, 1:00-3:00 at Coonskin Park Club House in Charleston. Details and registration materials will be sent soon!
  • The School-Based Dental Services Conference will be held April 15, 9:00-4:00 at the Days Hotel, Sutton WV. This conference is an opportunity to learn more about implementing school-based dental services in West Virginia. Presentations will include descriptions of current programs, challenges, strategies for success, opportunities and resources, and an update on current legislation. The agenda and registration information will be sent soon. For additional information, contact Linda Anderson at landerson@marshall.edu.
  • The School Nurse – School-Based Health Center Summer Conference will be held June 11- 12 at the Charleston Civic Center. The conference will be sponsored by the Department of Education, Office of Healthy Schools and the Marshall University School Health Technical Assistance and Evaluation Office.
  • The Back to School Workshop will be held August 13 at the Days Hotel in Sutton. The workshop will be sponsored by the Marshall University School Health Technical Assistance and Evaluation Office.
  • The 2008 National School-Based Health Care Convention will be held June 25-28 in Los Angeles California. For more information, visit: www.nasbhc.org.