We hear amazing stories every day about the great work that is going on in New Orleans’ school-based health centers. We want to be able to share those powerful stories with the media, with funders and with policymakers to demonstrate the impact school-based health centers have on the lives of students, families and communities in the New Orleans metropolitan area. We know school-based health centers effectively provide access to vital health care for students, and we want to recognize your efforts in keeping students healthy and in school, learning.

What are we looking for?

The story should have one or more of the following elements:

• Policy change: at the local (school, school board, parish, city etc.), state or federal level as a result of activities conducted by the school-based health center or those affiliated with the center.
• Demonstrated impact: on one person’s life, on a school, or on an entire community.
• Connection between health and education: the relationship between schools/education/learning and school-based health centers and the collaboration between the two communities. For example, a student stays on in school as a result of the services provided by his/her school-based health center; a teacher works with the school-based health center to develop materials for the classroom, etc.
• Application of a multicultural lens: people from diverse cultural backgrounds have been involved in meaningful ways in support of school-based health centers.
• Authentic youth engagement: students have taken a leadership role in supporting their school-based health center.

We are also interested in hearing stories that tie to what is in the news and issues that are “hot.” For example:

• Connection to what is in the news: health care reform, emergency preparedness, current events.
• Hot issues: mental health, violence, etc.

 What makes a good story?

• Novelty: is there an unusual, previously untold or unexpected element to the story?
• The ‘wow’ factor: is this something that is astonishing? Will the reader be shocked by this information? e.g. suicide rates, teen pregnancy rates
• Personal connection: is the story heartwarming? Is it a tale of overcoming adversity and of personal strength?

To submit stories you may have from your work within an SBHC, click here.