6 June 2014 By Rafael Otto
The American School Health Association (ASHA), a national multidisciplinary association dedicated to improving the health of PreK-12 students, is pleased to announce a partnership with the Oregon School-Based Health Alliance (OSBHA) to support ASHA’s 88th annual school health conference being held in Portland, OR on October 9-11, 2014. The partnership is designed to link ASHA’s national network of school health professionals with Oregon's school-based health sector resulting in a conference that will feature national presenters and researchers as well as school health professionals serving Oregon's school-based health community.
Linda Morse, ASHA’s president says, “I am so pleased that these two organizations have come together to showcase cutting-edge research and innovative strategies that focus on the needs of the whole child. The conference theme, Building Bridges to Action: Supporting School Health, reminds us that in order to serve schools, students, families, and communities, we must collaborate. The partnership between ASHA and OSBHA is a perfect example of two
synergistic organizations coming together to provide school health professionals with exceptional learning opportunities.”
William Thomas, OSBHA’s board chair says, “We’re excited to partner with ASHA as we work to strengthen the role of school-based health centers (SBHCs) in our regional efforts to improve school and community health.” The effectiveness of the SBHC service model is clear: students perform better when they show up for class healthy and ready to learn.
Paula Hester, OSBHA executive director adds, “SBHC services reinforce health promotion in school, provide a full range of physical, preventive, and mental health services, and keep health care accessible for working families. The partnership between OSBHA and ASHA represents a step toward expanding the role of SBHCs and connecting a broad range of school health professionals.”
The Friday, October 10, keynote session will feature Mark Pinder and Michael Ralls of Oregon’s Milwaukie High School, ASCD’s 2013 Vision in Action Award winner, with a presentation called “Building Bridges from Vision to Action: The Milwaukie High Way.” The closing keynote on Saturday, October 11, will feature Dr. Lloyd Kolbe, professor emeritus at Indiana University, former director of CDC DASH, and co-developer of the original coordinated school health model, discussing “The Future of School Health.”
Registration is now open for this dynamic school health conference. The schedule of conference presentations and poster sessions are also available for viewing.
Building Bridges from Vision to Action: Supporting School Health
October 9-11, 2014
Hilton Portland & Executive Tower
Portland, Oregon
Exclusive sponsorship opportunities and a limited number of exhibit spaces are available now on a first-come, first-served basis. Download the prospectus for more information.
OSBHA Contact
Rafael Otto
Community Affairs Director
503.719.4515
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The American School Health Association (ASHA) envisions healthy students who learn and achieve in safe and healthy environments nurtured by caring adults functioning within coordinated school and community support systems. For more than 80 years, ASHA has advocated for quality school health programs for every child. ASHA proudly serves as the only multidisciplinary national organization supporting a coordinated and collaborative approach to school health. ashaweb.org
The Oregon School-Based Health Alliance is a statewide nonprofit organization based in Portland that supports existing SBHCs and works to improve and expand school-based health services to support the health and academic success of children and youth. osbha.org
Oregon School-Based Health Center Facts
- Oregon has 68 certified School-Based Health Centers (SBHCs)
- SBHCs operate in 20 Oregon counties
- 8 sites are currently in the planning phase
- SBHCs served over 23,000 students in more than 70,000 visits (2013)
- 74 percent of students estimated they would miss one class or more in order visit an off-site clinic (2013)
- $3 to $4 additional dollars are leveraged through local public-private partnerships for every $1 of state General Fund money invested
