Logo for: Child & Family Agency of Southeastern CT, Inc Logo for: Child & Family Agency of Southeastern CT, Inc

School-Based Health Centers FAQs

What is a School-Based Health Center?

  • A School-Based Health Center is a healthcare clinic in the school that provides medical and behavioral health services to registered students. The Centers limit health-related absences and promote student success in the classroom. CFA operates over 20 School-Based Health Centers in southern and eastern CT.

What if my child/student already has a primary care provider (PCP) (i.e., pediatrician, family physician, or other external pediatric care provider)?

  • The School-Based Health Center provider supplements the care that your student’s PCP provides and shares medical information (such as any updated vaccines, any prescriptions given, or a copy of the physical examination for school or camp).

What are the hours of the School-Based Health Center?

  • The School-Based Health Center is open during school hours.
  • Before or after-school appointments can be scheduled with your School-Based Health Center provider as needed.

How much does it cost to use the School-Based Health Center?

  • We bill and collect insurance payments for services received; however, there are no out-of-pocket costs to the student or family receiving services.
  • If you do not have insurance, you can still receive School-Based Health Center services (and if you qualify for insurance, we will help you obtain HUSKY).

Who provides care at the School-Based Health Center?

  • The School-Based Health Centers and School-Expanded sites are staffed by Master’s prepared behavioral health clinicians, licensed as either an LMFT-A, LMFT, LPC-A, LPC, LMSW, or LCSW. The medical services are staffed with Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) who are either Master’s or Doctoral prepared as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner or a Family Nurse Practitioner.

Who can use the School-Based Health Center?

  • Any student who attends school within a district we service can register and receive School-Based Health Center services! The parent or legal guardian must first give permission by completing an online enrollment form.

How do I enroll my child/student in the School-Based Health Center?

  • Please call our Client Support Specialist who will help with any questions related to enrollment at (860) 437-4550.

Can adults and/or children in my family not enrolled in a school with a CFA School-Based Health Center access services?

  • Family members in need of medical or mental health care are welcome to schedule an appointment with CFA by calling (860) 437-4550. However, they will not receive services at the School-Based Health Center. Mental health services are provided at CFA’s New London, Groton, Westbrook, and Pawcatuck locations, and medical services are provided at the CFA Medical Clinic in New London and Westbrook.

What is the difference between your behavioral health clinician and the school psychologist / school counselor / school social worker?

  • The school psychologist / school counselor / school social workers are employees of the school district, and their roles are defined by the district administration. The School-Based Health Center clinician is an employee of CFA and provides evidence-based therapy to students in their office located in the school.

What is the difference between your nurse practitioner and the school nurse?

  • The school nurse is responsible for the entire school population, assuring the safety and health of the students, performing state school health assessments and screens, while triaging daily health concerns of presenting students.
  • CFA’s Nurse Practitioners are trained to diagnose and treat medical conditions on-site, which include physical exams, vaccines, and acute health conditions. Telehealth appointments are also available for certain visit types.

Can my child/student receive vaccines in the School-Based Health Center?

  • Yes. Required and recommended vaccines (also known as immunizations) are available in the School-Based Health Center. Before a vaccine can be administered, a parent or guardian must sign a consent form. Vaccines are never given without permission.

Can your Nurse Practitioner prescribe medications?

  • Yes. Medications are prescribed, when needed, for students. Prescriptions can be sent directly to your local pharmacy.

Can students make appointments during class time?

  • Yes, students may make appointments during class time. Every effort is made to schedule appointments so that students do not miss core classes.

What is shared about my child’s/student’s appointment to the school?

  • Students and parents have informed consent regarding any information shared between the School-Based Health Center and the school. Similar to seeing other health providers, health information from a School-Based Health Center is confidential and follows all HIPAA regulations.
  • All vaccines received at the School-Based Health Center are documented with the school nurse’s office, your primary care provider, and the state immunization registry, CT WIZ, as required by state law.

Is the CFA the same as the Department of Children and Families (DCF)?

  • No. CFA is a community-based, private, non-profit organization.

No person shall be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination in the Agency’s programs or activities on the grounds of race, color, national origin, or disability. Provision will be made to assist clients who are members of national origin minority groups with language differences. Additionally, provision will be made to assist clients who are hearing impaired or have other special needs.