Whitney Young Health operates school-based health centers (SBHC) in the City School District of Albany and the Watervliet City School District for students from Pre-K to 12th grade.
The goal of Whitney Young Health’s School-Based Health Center (SBHC) program is to promote overall health of children so that they are able to fully benefit from their education. School-based health centers provide primary and preventative medical services to students enrolled in the program.
Currently we have three school-based health centers located within the City School District of Albany (CSDA): at Giffen Memorial Elementary School, Sheridan Preparatory Academy, and Albany High School.
Whitney Young Health also offers school-based health center services with the Watervliet City School District for elementary, junior and high school students. The Watervliet SBHC is located at Watervliet Junior/Senior High School.
If you have any questions about eligibility or the services provided, please contact your school-based health center at the number listed below. If you are interested in enrolling your child into a school-based health center, please complete and return the enrollment packet to your respective school.
Watervliet Junior/Senior High School
Address: 1245 Hillside Drive, Watervliet
Phone Number: 518-629-3270
Whitney Young Health’s School-Based Health Center (SBHC) program offers the following services.
ENROLL IN THE SBHC:
A parent or guardian must fill out the form below for their child or children to receive care at any of our School-Based Health Centers (SBHC).
Please submit the completed form to the school your child or children will be attending.
ANNUAL UPDATE – TO BE COMPLETED EVERY YEAR:
Parents/guardians must complete the updated consent form below every year for their child or children to continue receiving care through their SBHC. Please use the form below to update consent.
If you have questions about availability of services for your child or children, please contact Whitney Young Health’s School-Based Health Center program at (518) 573-2556.
How do I enroll my child in the School-Based Health Center program?
Children enrolled at Giffen Memorial Elementary School, Sheridan Preparatory Academy, Albany High School, and the Watervliet City Schools are eligible to enroll in the program. Enrollment forms can be picked up in the Health Office at each of the schools or found on our website.
Is there a cost for my child to utilize the services offered at School-Based Health Center?
There is NO COST to parents (and no insurance copays) for students receiving care at any of the School-Based Health Centers.
However, if the student has insurance, that information must be provided at enrollment to ensure that the insurance company is billed and not the parent/guardian for services. If the child does not have insurance, we will connect you with one our facilitated health insurance enrollers who will determine what no-cost or low-cost health insurance your child qualifies for.
Also, services provided outside of the School-Based Health Center such as lab work, x-rays, etc. may incur a fee that will be directly billed by the provider.
Does my child need to be an established patient at Whitney Young Health to access care at any of the School-Based Health Center?
No, students do not have to be a patient of Whitney Young Health to access care at a School-Based Health Center. If the student has an established primary care provider, School-Based Health Center staff will share information with the provider. If the student does not have a primary care provider, Whitney Young Health can become his/her primary care provider if you choose.
What are the benefits of a School-Based Health Center?
Whitney Young Health’s School-Based Health Centers decrease the amount of time spent out of the classroom due to health related issues through convenient on-site access to primary and preventative care. A reduction in time spent out of the classroom will allow students to further benefit from their learning inside the classroom.
What happens if my child is ill and the school is closed?
School-Based Health Centers operate on the schedule of the City School District of Albany, or the Watervliet City School District. Services will not be provided during school vacations or days off. If the school is closed and your child needs emergency treatment, call 911. If it is not a medical emergency, call your health care provider (doctor, nurse practitioner, physician’s assistant) or Whitney Young Health’s main number at 518-465-4771.
Will School-Based Health Center staff replace school nurses?
No, the school nurse will continue to provide all students with the same services they had in the past regardless of their enrollment in the School-Based Health program.
