Access Health Louisiana (AHL) operates nineteen school-based health centers within twelve Louisiana parishes — Jefferson, Orleans, Washington, St. Charles, St. James, Allen, Rapides, LaSalle, Avoyelles, Natchitoches, Grant, and Iberville. These clinics are run in partnership with the parish school systems. Students and staff can get access to high-quality care throughout the school year on all campuses. Those services include Primary Care as well as Behavioral Health.
Added safety precautions are being taken at our school-based health center clinics currently due to the spread of COVID-19. In-person appointments are spaced out to give ample disinfecting time between clinic visits. Staff is also wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), to protect patients. Telemedicine appointments are offered for students taking classes virtually or in a hybrid model. Students attending school in-person may visit the school health center for well visits only at this time. Sports physicals and immunizations are currently available. If a student is exhibiting signs of COVID-19 such as fever of 100.4 or higher, shortness of breath or coughing, they are asked to schedule a telemedicine visit with the school health center before coming to the clinic. The nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant will diagnose the student via telemedicine and refer them for COVID-19 testing if necessary.
Teletherapy appointments are also available for students in need of behavioral health services. Students can speak to a Licensed Clinical Social Worker or Licensed Professional Counselor from their smartphone, tablet, or computer. Individual and group therapy appointments are available in person or via teletherapy. Students can be seen for a variety of therapy including anxiety, depression, relationship issues, trauma, bullying, isolation, loss, grief, substance abuse, and more.
Telemedicine is convenient and easy to use. It is confidential and private. Access Health Louisiana uses the Athena Health platform for telemedicine. Please watch the video below to see how a regular telemedicine appointment works.
AHL also operates health centers at the following schools: Albert Cammon/St. Rose Elementary, Bogalusa High School, Bonnabel High School, Chateau Estates School, Douglass Community School, East Jefferson High School, Grace King High School, Iberville Elementary, J.B. Martin/R.J. Vial Wellness Center, John Ehret High School, Joshua Butler Elementary, Lutcher High School, MSA-West Academy, Oakdale Middle/High School, Plaquemine High School, Riverdale High School (Jefferson Elementary), Strehle Community School, Warren Easton Charter School, and West Jefferson High School.
To take advantage of our school-based health center services, parents must complete a consent and enrollment form with the clinic. These documents may be filled out online by accessing the individual SBHC webpage for your child’s school on this website under the “Resources” section. Hard copies are available through your child’s school as well. Even if you don’t anticipate your child using health center services at school, it is a good idea to complete an enrollment form. This way, if a medical emergency should arise, your child can be seen quickly. School-based health centers do not replace your child’s Pediatrician. Our clinical staff offers continuity of care while your child is at school. Our providers stay in contact with student’s Pediatricians or mental health providers when seen on campus. Parents will also be notified when their child is seen in the clinic for emergencies.
Students who sign up for the school-based health center program never pay a co-pay so there’s no out-of-pocket expense to parents. If students have commercial insurance or Medicaid, Access Health Louisiana bills the insurance for the service. Students without insurance are always welcome to be seen in our school clinics. Students who are patients of AHL school based health centers can also get their medications filled at reduced rates at local pharmacies through our discount pharmacy program. Access Health Louisiana Pharmacy also offers free home delivery of medications for students enrolled in the school health center program. View the video below to learn more about the AHL Pharmacy.
Students and staff can still access medical assistance after the clinic is closed for the school day. To do so, just call your school based health center phone number and your call will be routed to after hours’ staff who can assist you. In case of a medical emergency, please dial 9-1-1.
