The Governing Board recognizes that good physical and mental health is critical to a student's ability to learn and believes that all students should have access to comprehensive health services. The district may provide access to health services at or near district schools through the establishment of a school health center and/or mobile van(s) that serve multiple campuses.

The Board and the Superintendent or designee shall collaborate with local and state agencies and health care providers to assess the health needs of students in district schools and the community. Based on this needs assessment and the availability of resources, the Superintendent or designee shall recommend for Board approval the types of health services to be provided by the district.

The Board may employ or contract with health care professionals or partner with community health centers to provide the services under the terms of a written contract or memorandum of understanding.

Board approval shall be required for any proposed use of district resources and facilities to support school health services. The Superintendent or designee shall identify funding opportunities available through grant programs, private foundations, and partnerships with local agencies and organizations.

The Superintendent or designee shall coordinate the provision of school health services with other student wellness initiatives, including health education, programs that address nutrition and physical fitness, and other activities designed to create a healthy school environment. The Superintendent or designee shall encourage joint planning and regular communications among health services staff, district administrators, teachers, counselors, other staff, and parents/guardians.

The district's school health services program shall meet, or have a plan to meet, the following requirements: (Health and Safety Code 124174.6)

1. Strive to provide a comprehensive set of services including medical, oral health, mental health, health education, and related services in response to community needs

2. Provide primary and other health care services, provided or supervised by a licensed professional, which may include all of the following:

a. Physical examinations, immunizations, and other preventive medical services

b. Diagnosis and treatment of minor injuries and acute medical conditions

c. Management of chronic medical conditions

d. Basic laboratory tests

e. Referrals to and follow-up for specialty care

f. Reproductive health services

g. Nutrition services

h. Mental health services, provided or supervised by an appropriately licensed mental health professional, which may include assessments, crisis intervention, counseling, treatment, and referral to a continuum of services including emergency psychiatric care, community support programs, inpatient care, and outpatient programs. The Superintendent or designee shall collaborate with the county mental health department in planning and service delivery.

i. Oral health services that may include preventive services, basic restorative services, and referral to specialty services

3. Work in partnership with the school nurse, if one is employed by the school or district, to provide:

a. Individual and family health education

b. School or districtwide health promotion

c. First aid and administration of medications

d. Facilitation of student enrollment in health insurance programs

e. Screening of students to identify the need for physical, mental, and oral health services

f. Referral and linkage to services not offered on-site

g. Public health and disease surveillance

h. Emergency response procedures

4. Have a written contract or memorandum of understanding between the district and the health care provider or any other community provider that ensures coordination of services, confidentiality of health information consistent with applicable federal and state laws, and integration of services into the school environment

5. Serve all students in the school regardless of ability to pay

6. Be open during all normal school hours, except that services may be provided on a more limited basis if resources are not available or on a more expansive basis if dictated by community needs and resources are available

7. Establish protocols for referring students to outside services when the school health center is closed

8. Facilitate transportation between the school and the health center if the health center is not located on school or district property

The Superintendent or designee shall obtain written parent/guardian consent prior to providing services to a student, except when the student is authorized to consent to the service pursuant to Family Code 6920-6929 or other applicable laws.

The Superintendent or designee shall maintain the confidentiality of student health records in accordance with law.

To further encourage student access to health care services, the Superintendent or designee shall develop and implement strategies to assist in outreach and enrollment of eligible students from low- to moderate-income families in affordable, comprehensive state or federal health coverage programs and local health initiatives. Such strategies may include, but not be limited to, providing information about the Medi-Cal program on the application for free and reduced-price meals in accordance with law and providing students and parents/guardians with information about the low-cost Healthy Families insurance program.