History
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School Health Clinics of Santa Clara County began in 1986 with a locally supported clinic at San José High Academy that aimed to bridge the gap in accessible, quality healthcare among low income communities. Initially run by the Visiting Nurse Association of the (then) San Jose Medical Center, it was later overseen by The Health Trust. In 2003, it became an independent 501(c)(3) charitable organization and a Federally Qualified Health Center, which resulted in streamlined operations, improved efficiency and effectiveness of care, and a sustainable source of core funding. Today, School Health Clinics operates six clinics that serve more than 5,400 individuals annually, fulfilling its mission to provide essential, high-quality, and affordable health care services for adults and children in the local community.
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Current Programs
Despite its affluence, Santa Clara remains one of the most unequal counties in the United States. The combined forces of widening wage gaps, exorbitant housing prices, and shifts in the regional economy have compounded over recent years, resulting in a shrinking middle class and increased poverty levels. The number of poor children living in high poverty neighborhoods is higher than ever before. Child poverty is now more spread out throughout the county, as pockets of child poverty have extended from historically poor areas like eastern San Jose and parts of Gilroy to other areas.
Income and well being are intricately linked. Poverty can alter children's developmental trajectories in cognitive, socio-emotional, and physical health. Children who face economic hardship when they are young, or who experience deep and prolonged poverty, are at greatest risk for poor outcomes. The effects of poverty and the stress associated with it can be lasting, contributing to increased risk of dropping out of school, poor adult health, and poor employment outcomes, among other adverse consequences.
School Health Clinics of Santa Clara County addresses these challenges by providing primary, preventive and behavioral health care that helps families thrive. Located on school campuses in San José and Gilroy, our six clinics are affordable and easily accessible - no one is turned away because they cannot pay. All clinics serve pediatric and adolescent patients; our Washington and Overfelt Neighborhood Health Clinics provide family practice care for patients of all ages.
Clinics are safe and welcoming, and staffed with a nurse practitioner (or physician assistant) and bilingual (Spanish/English) medical assistants. Supervising physicians oversee the clinics under the management of our Medical Director, Dr. Claude Rogé. In addition to clinical care, we also help patients navigate referrals for specialty care, apply for healthcare coverage, and access transportation.
Despite its affluence, Santa Clara remains one of the most unequal counties in the United States. The combined forces of widening wage gaps, exorbitant housing prices, and shifts in the regional economy have compounded over recent years, resulting in a shrinking middle class and increased poverty levels. The number of poor children living in high poverty neighborhoods is higher than ever before. Child poverty is now more spread out throughout the county, as pockets of child poverty have extended from historically poor areas like eastern San Jose and parts of Gilroy to other areas.
Income and well being are intricately linked. Poverty can alter children's developmental trajectories in cognitive, socio-emotional, and physical health. Children who face economic hardship when they are young, or who experience deep and prolonged poverty, are at greatest risk for poor outcomes. The effects of poverty and the stress associated with it can be lasting, contributing to increased risk of dropping out of school, poor adult health, and poor employment outcomes, among other adverse consequences.
School Health Clinics of Santa Clara County addresses these challenges by providing primary, preventive and behavioral health care that helps families thrive. Located on school campuses in San José and Gilroy, our six clinics are affordable and easily accessible - no one is turned away because they cannot pay. All clinics serve pediatric and adolescent patients; our Washington and Overfelt Neighborhood Health Clinics provide family practice care for patients of all ages.
Clinics are safe and welcoming, and staffed with a nurse practitioner (or physician assistant) and bilingual (Spanish/English) medical assistants. Supervising physicians oversee the clinics under the management of our Medical Director, Dr. Claude Rogé. In addition to clinical care, we also help patients navigate referrals for specialty care, apply for healthcare coverage, and access transportation.
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