February is SBHC Awareness Month
Awareness Day Kick off event at the capitol on Feb. 1, 2010
Over 100 youth advocates gathered at the Capitol on February 1 for the kick off day for SBHC Awareness Month.
This army of youth advocates were introduced to our legislative process. They met the Governor's Chief Health Care Policy Advisor, The Speaker of the House and the Senate President.
They received training and practiced delivering concise yet compelling anecdotes. Through their combined efforts they ensured that every legislator's office received a visit. They also succeeded in meeting with at least 20 legislators in small groups.
Building a Movement
It is our hope that SBHCs across the state will use Awareness Month as a platform for building community support for access to quality health care in schools. The Network will lead this effort by working to build increased public support and policy maker understanding of school-based health care.
During the month of February 2010, school-based health centers across Oregon will conduct special promotional activities to generate awareness about school-based health centers, the services they provide to the community and the lives affected by these services.
The Awareness Month Tool Kit is meant to provide you with some guidance in planning and implementing SBHC Awareness Month activities. We owe a debt of thanks to the Massachusetts Coalition of School Based Health and the National Assembly on School Based Health Care for the use of some of their materials. Feel free to use any content in this toolkit.
Awareness Month Tool Kit
Introduction
• Building a Movement
• Governor’s Proclamation of Awareness Month
About SBHCs in Oregon and About the Network
• What is the Network?
• What are School-Based Health Centers?
• Map of State Certified SBHCs in Oregon 2009
• Map of SBHC Medical Sponsors
NASBHC Fact Sheets:
• 25 Article and Studies Supporting SBHC Services
• Article: Unlocking the Benefits of SBHCs
• SBHCs and SCHIP and Medicaid Reimbursement
• SBHCs and Obesity Prevention
• SBHCs and Cost Savings
• Benefits of SBHCs
• SBHCs and Access to Health Care
SBHC Awareness Month Ideas
• Ideas to Get You Started: Engaging students, schools, families, and others
• A to Z of Awareness: Youth Generated Awareness Building Ideas from our 2009 Conference
Telling Your Story
• Share Your Story--Story Form
• 10 Ways to Share Your Story
• Create an Action Plan to Tell Your Story | PDF version
Raising Awareness through Earned Media
• Newsletters and Publications
• Letters to the Editor and Op-Eds: Tips and Samples
• Tips on Writing a Press Release and Sample Release
• Sample Public Service Announcements
Building Relationships with Legislators
• Legislators are People, Too!
• Setting Up a Tour of Your SBHC
• Find Your Legislator
• From Massachusetts: Getting Legislators out of the State House and Into the School House
• NASBHC's Tour Guide for Congressional Visits
• Engaging Candidates and Elected Officials on SBHC Issues at Forums
Useful links:
• Find your state and federal legislators
• Email your state legilsators
• NASBHC's Federal Action Center
SBHC Day Logistics - for reference in 2011
Schedule of the day and how to prepare
Travel Reimbursement Form (due Jan. 15)
Setting Up and Preparing for a Meeting with a Legislator
Phone numbers for legilslators when they aren't in session
Story release form (please bring signed forms with you)
The Oregon State Capitol Address is: 900 Court St. NE, Salem, Oregon 97301.
Click here for a map to the Oregon State Capitol.
Text Directions
Map to the Capitol
Where to Park