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Introduced Version House Concurrent Resolution 9 History

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HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 92

(By Delegates Perdue, Hatfield, Lawrence, Manypenny, Moye, Perry, D. Poling, Rodighiero, Staggers, Fleischauer, Moore, Andes, Lane, C. Miller, J. Miller and Rowan)

[Originating in the Committee on Health and Human Resources; Reported April 8, 2009.]


Requesting the Committee on Government and Finance to conduct a study on requiring the establishment of school-based health centers in new school constructions.

W
HEREAS , School-based health centers (SBHC) are health clinics that bring preventative and immediate care to children and adolescents in West Virginia schools; and
W
HEREAS , Other services include health education, treatment of acute illness, dental care and management of chronic illness - - with twenty-five SBHC's providing mental health services such as bullying, suicide prevention and grief counseling; and
W
HEREAS , There are currently forty-eight SBHC's in twenty four counties in the state (most are sponsored as satellite clinics of community health centers with several other sites being sponsored by hospitals); and
W
HEREAS , There have been over 67,000 student visits to SBHC's by 24,000 students recorded during the 2006-2007 school year,
W
HEREAS , Studies by John Hopkins University and others show that SBHC's decrease absenteeism and tardiness; reduce behavior and discipline problems; and save money by reducing the number of emergency room visits; and
WHEREAS, SBHC's provide ample accessibility and cost-effective care, while also playing an active role in helping students become healthy learners placing essential services in the right environment, and are strongly supported by students, parents and school staff; and
WHEREAS, SBHC's work with, but do not replace the child's physician or school nurse and may serve as the child's medical home if needed; and
WHEREAS, Although each SBHC in West Virginia is unique, all share the following characteristics: (1) Are all located in schools or on school grounds; (2) Work cooperatively with school personnel to become an integral part of the school; (3) Provide a comprehensive range of services; (4) Provide services regardless of the student's financial situation; (5) Use a multi-disciplinary team of providers to provide care; (6) Provide medical services through a qualified health provider such as a community health center or a hospital; (7) Require parents to sign written consents for their children to receive services and (8) Have an advisory board consisting of community representatives, parents, youth, and family organizations, to provide planning and oversight; and
WHEREAS, Many schools without a SBHC would like to start a center and requests for new sites continue to increase from school nurses, community health centers and hospitals; and
WHEREAS, Under the current Education Policy 6200 "Handbook on Planning School Facilities" SBHC's are currently an optional service; and
WHEREAS, Representatives from the WV Department of Education, the WV School Building Authority, the Primary Care Association, the WV School-Based Health Assembly, local SBHC's or their sponsoring community health centers and other pertinent entities shall work conjunctively with the Legislature in providing input and recommendations into the development of this policy; therefore be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study the feasibility of requiring all new school constructions to have school-based health centers; and, be it
Further Resolved,
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2010, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.
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