About R9 School-Based Health Centers

Region 9 School-Based Health Centers (SBHC) provide physical and behavioral healthcare and promote health awareness for students in the Region 9 member schools in Corona, Carrizozo, Capitan, Hondo, Ruidoso, Tularosa, and Cloudcroft.

Our Purpose

The SBHC offers students medical attention when needed, catching problems like asthma and depression now and preventing more significant problems later. Most importantly, it helps students stay healthy and in class so they can learn what they need to know to succeed in life. The SBHC comprises a multidisciplinary team of providers, including nurse practitioners, behavioral health counselors, social workers, alcohol and drug counselors, psychiatrists, and other health professionals. These comprehensive, accessible, high-quality services add measurable value to students’ health.

No Cost for Students

Students and children in the member districts of Region 9 Education Cooperative receive care at the SBHC for no cost. New Mexico Medicaid is billed for the services of students and children with Medicaid coverage to offset some of the cost of care.

Adults (family of students, school staff, R9 staff) may receive primary care and medication management at SBHC for $30 per visit.

Access

The SBHC brings the doctor/counselor to the school, improving access to critically needed care right where children learn and grow.

Research shows that adolescents are at least 10 times more likely to visit an SBHC facility for behavioral health services than a community health provider. Students may access physical, behavioral, or substance abuse services at the SBHC on their own or by referral from their school nurse, counselor, teacher, or parent/guardian. The SBHC asks parents to sign written consents for their children to enroll in the SBHC, according to the following New Mexico state law:

“Parental consent is not required for, and lack thereof shall not bar children from receiving the following services: pregnancy testing, diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, family planning services and Human Immunodeficiency Virus testing, pursuant to Section 24-10-2, Section 24-1-13.1, Section 24-8-5, and Section 24-1-9 NMSA 1978, and 42 USC Section 300 et seq., Section 59, Section 1201 et seq., and Section 1396 et seq.
New Mexico state law also permits students over 14 years old to consent to mental health counseling on their own, pursuant to Section 32A-6-14 NMSU 1978.”

Academic Outcomes

Students perform better when they show up for class healthy and ready to learn. Research shows that SBHCs help students avoid health-related absences and offer support to help them succeed in the classroom. Healthier children make better students.