The Center For Health and Health Care in Schools | Milken Institute School of Public Health site logo

The Center For Health and Health Care in Schools

Milken Institute School of Public Health

History

The Center for Health and Health Care in Schools (CHHCS) has been at the forefront of transforming the landscape of K–12 education and healthcare. Through generous funding and unwavering commitment, CHHCS is successfully breaking down barriers and significantly improving the well-being and educational outcomes of children. 

School-Based Health Centers (1980s and 1990s) 

CHHCS was founded in the early 1980s by Julia Graham Lear, a pioneer in developing school-based health services, and in collaboration with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). CHHCS has contributed to developing innovative school health delivery models. Through a multi-site demonstration grant program, The School-Based Adolescent Health Care Program, the national program office staff provided technical support, assessed project data, and published the findings and insights on school-based health centers (SBHCs). In a second SBHC multi-site grant initiative, with the support from RWJF, CHHCS staff collaborated with leadership in 9 states to build policy frameworks to support the expansion of the SBHC model. In the final multi-grant initiative that focused exclusively on school-based health centers, Caring for Kids: Expanding Dental and Mental Health Services Through School-Based Health Centers, CHHCS provided support to 8 SBHCs that focused on strengthening their mental health programs and to 7 SBHCs that added or expanded oral health programs.

School Nursing (1990s) 

CHHCS expanded its involvement in school health initiatives beyond school-based health centers, particularly in school nursing and school mental health. This broader focus on school health included historical reviews published in journal articles and presentations, such as Lear JG's work on adolescent health services.  School-Connected Mental Health Programs to Support Immigrant and Refugee Youth (2006-2010)  With RWJF support, 15 sites across the U.S. created model mental health programs involving schools, families, students, mental health agencies, and community organizations to offer accessible services for children and youth. 

School-Connected Oral Health Programs (2009-2010)

In 2009-2010, CHHCS collaborated with Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and RWJF to organize a conference aiming to identify essential components for a school-connected oral health care demonstration project.

Mental Health Programs for K-12 Schools (2011 - present)

Increasing awareness of school programs and staff promoting student well-being has spurred more research in school connected behavioral health care. The Center convened national experts in Fall 2011 to discuss integrating health and education systems for school-connected behavioral health promotion.