Establishing A School-Based Health Center For An Underserved Community In Vermont: Collaboration Between Pediatric Residents, School Nurse, And The Community.

Abstract

Program Goals School-Based Health Centers (SBHCs) provide a cost-effective way to reduce healthcare disparities of underserved populations (AmJPrevMed,2016), and provide a way to advocate for children’s health, an essential skill for pediatricians to learn. This advocacy project, led by a pediatric resident and a school nurse, established a SBHC in Winooski, VT, a town with a diverse underserved population of 7500. The Winooski School District serves 691 elementary through high school students, who speak 18 languages, and 98% of whom qualify for Free and Reduced Lunch. Although most students have …