Creating a sustainable and replicable SBHC with multiple community partners

Objective: In a San Diego urban neighborhood, two existing SBHC models were reviewed. The purpose was to create an updated model for the construction of a new SBHC housed at a 100 year old elementary school in the vicinity. Methods: The initial gathering of the key stakeholders included representatives from the existing SBHCs, the school district, a local philanthropic organization and two local community based federally qualified health clinics (FQHC). A new broader based partnership emerged with a budget to establish a fully sustainable SBHC in three years. The two FQHCs agreed to provide personnel, medical equipment, supplies, software and IT equipment. The school district agreed to provide space, telephone lines and a school nurse. The philanthropic organization covered the initial start up gap costs with decreasing involvement to exit in Year 3. Results: A survey was conducted to determine community support for the new SBHC. Ninety-six percent reported their child would use the new clinic for healthcare, and anticipated that illness, injury, immunizations, physical exams and dental services would be the most prevalent visits. Conclusion: All aspects of building a new sustainable SBHC from conception to construction to opening day will be presented. Survey design, implementation and analyses will be shared. We will describe, explain, and identify a unique community based partnership that led to the construction of a new SBHC and is predicted to achieve complete sustainability in three years. Partnerships, budgets, contracts, community and staff survey methods and sustainability will be discussed.