Our Role

When we support children’s health, we support learning. When we support learning, we support communities.

The Alliance’s priority is to ensure best practices in school based care, address sustainability and equity of care delivered in schools, and expand school based health initiatives, particularly in rural counties and health care deserts in Minnesota.

School-based care is specialty care, and we are here to help schools define their needs and work with community partners to help fulfill those needs beyond what a school district can do on their own.

Rooted in strong connections, the Alliance maintains internal and external relationships that have statewide impact and local influence.

The Alliance works within communities to help identity gaps and opportunities for development of school health initiatives that foster student achievement and community vitaltity.

We are a central hub of information, resources, and support for the school-based healthcare ecosystem

Clinic Operators

Many SBHCs operate with limited staff and resources, but a lot of passion. MN has a variety of successful working models of SBHCs and we don’t need to reinvent the wheel. Through our technical support and Community of Practice we provide a framework, tools, and training to alleviate the complexity of opening and operating a SBHC.

School Administrators

New school-based health initiatives are often driven by school nurses, and need the alignment of the administration, student support resources, and teaching staff to be successful. The Alliance helps to bring together stakeholders to have a unified conversation about goals.

Policymakers

The biggest challenge of offering school-based care is sustainability. The Alliance assists with longterm strategies that rely on public policy, public funding, and collaboration with state and local offices.

Healthcare organizations

For most healthcare organizations, School-Based Health Centers can be a challenge to sustain within their standard business model. Successful school-based healthcare requires unique, specific practices. The Alliance offers collective expertise from years of practice in how to initiate and sustain this critical work.

Funders

Funders from private foundations to national initiatives have the opportunity to support positive health and education outcomes for future generations. A contribution to the Alliance has an expansive impact on the safety net for children and families of Minnesota.

What do we see when we succeed?

• Increased attendance and time in class

• Improved student behavior

• Higher graduation rates

• Improved school climate

• Barrier-free access to mental health care

• Medicaid savings for the state of Minnesota