Grants to Washington, DC organizations for activities that enhance access to health care for students at eligible high schools and middle schools located within the District. Applicants are advised to register online at least two weeks prior to the deadline. Funding is intended to support the operation of existing and newly constructed school-based health centers. The purpose of the program is to promote the successful development of adolescent students by improving their physical, social, emotional, and behavioral health.

The Government of the District of Columbia, Department of Health (DC Health), Community Health Administration (CHA) is awarding funding to provide comprehensive, coordinated school-based health services, to improve access to care and to improve student health outcomes in District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS).

SBHCs also have the potential to expand their public health role and impact to the entire school by reducing barriers to learning school-wide. The overall goal of the DC Health SBHC program is to improve the overall health of students, as well as minimize the effects of poverty and other adverse experiences, enabling students to thrive in the classroom and beyond. Services include promoting an adolescent-friendly health environment, assuring coordination of care, and serving as a medical home.

DC Health will provide grant funding, oversight and technical assistance to seven (7) sites located within District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS): Anacostia Senior High School, Ballou Senior High School, Cardozo Education Campus, Coolidge Senior High School & Ida B. Wells Middle School (co-located schools), Dunbar Senior High School, Roosevelt Senior High School and H.D. Woodson High School. Applicants may apply to operate one or more SBHCs based on capacity to provide services. DC Health will determine location assignments for successful applicants. SBHC services shall also be available to feeder schools and the community, as determined by DC Health and DCPS. 

SBHCs offer a range of health services including primary and preventative care, in-person mental health and supplemental telemental health and wellness, sexual health, health education and health promotion. SBHCs are a powerful investment in the health and academic potential of children and adolescents, by providing students with an entry point into health care in a location that is safe, convenient, and accessible. These centers are staffed by licensed professionals with the experience and expertise to deliver quality care while addressing the broad range of concerns that affect students’ healthy development.