SBHC Core Grant Program Information

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. Please see the SBHC story map for information on the current DOH SBHC grant recipients and their projects. The core grant types are defined below:

  • Planning Grants ($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 ($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 ($150,000) – Operations grant recipients have an established SBHC and use grant funding for ongoing operations and/or an expansion or improvement project.

In 2024, DOH published Minimum Grant Requirements, which outlines key definitions and requirements for the SBHC program to ensure that DOH SBHC core grant projects meet the intent of RCW 43.70.825 and the needs of Washington communities. The grant requirements were informed by feedback from SBHCs, partners, the SBHC Community Advisory Board, and Youth Advisory Council.

New grant awards are not currently available, but DOH anticipates accepting Request for Funding Applications for additional SBHC planning and operations grants in May and June 2024. Please check back in early May for more information. In the meantime, potential applicants can begin preparing by identifying how an SBHC project could improve a need in their community, reviewing the SBHC grant requirements, and collecting letters of support from partners (like the school and school district administration, school support staff, and community organizations or members).