7 March 2019 By OSBHA
Over 100 Oregon students joined us on February 28 for School Health Advocacy Day 2019. Students facilitated 27 meetings with their legislators to discuss the importance of school-based health services.Our annual School Health Advocacy Day is the only youth-driven advocacy event that supports school-based health services in Oregon. School Health Advocacy Day provides an opportunity for youth from across Oregon to visit the Capitol, meet their legislators, and advocate for the importance of school-based health services in their communities.
The theme for this year's event was "advocacy doesn't stop here". OSBHA Student Health Advocates led workshops teaching students how to call and write to their legislators, and we had an amazing panel of advocates who spoke to the power of community advocacy work.
If you weren't able to join us this year but are still interested in advocating for school-based health services this legislative session, you can contact your legislators to let them know you support our bills:
Provide Flexible Funding for Community Planning and School Health Services – HB 3165-This bill will help support districts to pursue what fits best for them: a school-based health center, school nurse, mental health provider, or a trauma informed schools program based on priorities and existing resources.
-This will fund a community engagement and business planning process to allow communities to identify and prioritize the services they need.
Support School Nurse/School-Based Health Center Telehealth Pilots – SB 130
-Increase access to health services for kids in schools where there is not a SBHC by connecting a school nurse in one school to a SBHC in a different location.
-Identify and support kids with both physical and mental health needs.
-Work to maximize billing public and private insurance for services that improve outcomes.
Extend Trauma Informed Schools Pilot and Expand to Schools with Different Characteristics – HB 2836
-In 2016, HB 4002 created a pilot program of two “trauma informed schools” and we are beginning to see results.
-Fund a two-year extension of existing pilot schools to implement and report on longer term systemic changes.
-Expand this exciting program to new schools with different characteristics (e.g. rural and/or fewer support services in place) in order to learn more about what works.
|
|
|
|
|
