SBHC Core Grant Program Information

About the SBHC Grant Program

The DOH SBHC grant program works to expand and sustain the availability of school-based health centers (SBHCs) to K-12 students in Washington public schools, with a focus on historically underserved communities and populations. The intent of the DOH SBHC grants is to fund projects that will:

  • Increase the number, capacity, and sustainability of SBHCs in Washington
  • Improve the health and educational outcomes of children and youth in Washington
  • Continue efforts to increase health equity throughout Washington and prioritize serving, engaging, and supporting historically underserved communities, including Tribal communities.

DOH awarded the first core (planning, start-up, and operations) SBHC grants in 2022. Currently, all grantees are implementing their projects. See the SBHC story map for a map of current DOH SBHC grant recipients and information on their projects. The core grant types are defined below:

  • Planning Grants (up to $50,000) – Planning grant recipients gather information, support, and resources to plan for a new SBHC in a community or school where one does not currently operate.
  • Start-Up Grants (up to $250,000) – Start-up grant recipients use grant funding to implement their existing SBHC start-up plan to open and operate an SBHC in a community or school where one does not currently operate.
  • Operational, Expansion, and/or Improvement Grants (up to $150,000) – Operations grant recipients have an established SBHC and use grant funding for ongoing operations and/or an expansion or improvement project.

Grant Requirements

The law (RCW 43.70.825) defines an SBHC as “a collaboration between the community, the school, and a sponsoring agency that operates the school-based health center, which is a student-focused health center located in or adjacent to a school that provides integrated medical, behavioral health, and other health care services such as dental care.”

The SBHC Grant Requirements (PDF) outline more key definitions and requirements to participate in the SBHC grant program. The requirements help to ensure that DOH SBHC core grant projects meet the needs of Washington communities and the intent of the law establishing the program. SBHCs, partners, the SBHC Community Advisory Board, and Youth Advisory Council provided feedback to inform the final grant requirements.