Frequently Asked Questions

What is a school-based health center?

It is a health center located in the school and staffed by health professionals. The centers provide education, prevention, treatment, and referral to enrolled students. Students can receive physical health care, mental health and nutrition counseling services.  

Where do I take my child when the Student Health Centers are closed? 

When the Student Health Centers are closed, all students including those with Carolina Access should receive 24-hour coverage from their primary care provider (PCP) in a non-emergency situation. The emergency room should only be used in emergencies. Students who are currently seeing one of our mental health counselors are given the phone number of our 24-hour crisis line. Students not currently under care through RCSHC should call 988 or 911 for after-hours assistance.

Who staffs the Student Health Centers?

The centers are staffed by a team of professionals trained in student health. This team includes nurse practitioners, registered nurses, mental health professionals, nutritionists, and health educators. 

How is the program funded?

The Rockingham County Student Health Centers are most fortunate to have a great deal of community support. UNC Health Rockingham, Cone Health Annie Penn Hospital and the Rockingham County Schools provide financial support. These agencies, as well as the Rockingham County Department of Health and Human Services, contribute in-kind services.  In addition, the Reidsville Area Foundation is one of our most generous supporters.  The Student Health Centers also receive funding from the United Way of Rockingham County. We are a United Way Agency.

Is there a charge to use the Student Health Centers?

Many visits to the health centers, such as those for a simple headache, will not be billed. The health centers will bill insurance when appropriate. If insurance does not cover the charges, then parents are sent a bill. However, no student ever is denied services based on their ability to pay.  

How can I be sure my adolescent is receiving high quality care at the Student Health Centers?

All staff members employed by the health centers have been trained to work with adolescents. One of our four Medical Directors reads the medical charts of students seen each week and reviews them to make sure that the care they receive is appropriate. The Medical Directors for the health centers are Dr. Nigel Buist, Dr. Kevin Howard, Dr. Dionne Galloway, and Dr. Vivian Salvador.

All four health centers have been credentialed by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. In order to become credentialed, each center had to undergo a rigorous evaluation process which included an on-site audit. The state review team consisted of three reviewers, each of whom was charged with evaluating one area of our program. This was accomplished through an in-depth study of our medical records, policies, procedures, protocols and interviews. The three areas reviewed were administration, clinical services and mental health services.

What are the benefits of the Rockingham Student Student Health Centers?

• Support of local families
• Keep parents on the job
• Strengthen the connection between schools and families
• Link families with other agencies in the county
• Encourage parental involvement in the student's health care needs
• Decrease emergency department visits by high school students
• Located in schools where students spend the greatest part of their day
• Provide health education and promotion of healthy behaviors to keeps students healthy, drug free and physically fit
• Complement the existing health care system in Rockingham County
• Reduce barriers to learning
• Boost academic success by keeping students in school
• Enhance student success because healthy teens are more able to learn