Legacy’s SBHC: Health Services That Meet Students Where They Are

A healthy student is a successful student. That’s why Legacy Community Health partners with districts and charters like Galena Park ISD (GPISD), YES Prep and KIPP schools to bring affordable, high-quality care directly to school campuses.

Through its School-Based Health Care (SBHC) program, Legacy provides medical and behavioral health services, ensuring students stay healthy, in class, and focused on learning.

Comprehensive Services, Right on Campus

There are currently 37 School-Based Health locations in three different districts/charters: KIPP, YES Prep and Galena Park ISD. Students and their siblings can sign up for services and schedule appointments at an on-campus or nearby clinic.

Staffed by licensed advanced practice providers and behavioral health therapists, Legacy’s clinics cater to the unique needs of students, siblings, and children of school staff from infants to 21 years of age (students) and 18 years for siblings. By bringing care directly to campus, Legacy minimizes barriers like transportation and missed class time, making it easier for students to get the support they need in a familiar, comfortable setting.

Students can access a full range of pediatric primary care services during the school day, including well-child checkups, immunizations, asthma and allergy treatment, minor illness care, and chronic condition management—so they stay healthy and in school.

Behavioral health support is an important part of what Legacy offers. Students can receive individual, group and family counseling, along with help for anxiety, depression, trauma, and stress. If needed, psychiatric evaluations and medication management are also available.

In addition, currently at three locations, Legacy SBHC offers care coordination services for students and siblings to help them get connected to community resources for transportation, clothing, and other needs. Nutrition and wellness education, as well as sports physicals, are also available to support the overall health and well-being of students.

Legacy accepts Medicaid, CHIP, and most private insurance plans, and for families without coverage, they offer a sliding fee scale and access to financial specialists to determine if some form of insurance coverage is available to them to ensure that cost is never a barrier to care.

“The biggest advantage of having health services directly in schools is the convenience and access to healthcare in some of the most underserved communities across the Greater Houston, Galena Park, and surrounding areas,” says Stephanie Ramirez, Legacy’s Vice President of School-Based Health Clinics.

Why School-Based Health Care Matters

For many families, finding time to take off work or arranging transportation to a doctor’s office can be a real challenge. By bringing medical and mental health services right to campus, students get quick access to the care they need, while parents can rest easy knowing their child’s health is being managed in a familiar, trusted environment.

“Our clinical and behavioral health team creates relationships with our students to provide a welcoming environment,” says Ramirez. “If students are not feeling well, our team can identify the underlying cause, treat it, or refer and connect them with the services they need.”

The benefits of SBHC go beyond just the students—it also supports educators and administrators, helping students stay focused and on track academically. As GPISD Superintendent Dr. John Moore shares, “Our school-based clinics help families stay on top of their child’s health, and we are thankful for our partnership with Legacy.”

When students are healthy—both physically and mentally—they can focus on learning, which leads to better attendance, improved behavior, and stronger academic performance. This is why SBHC programs are such a valuable investment for schools and communities.

Legacy’s bilingual staff makes it easy for families to stay in the loop, ensuring parents are always informed and involved in their child’s care. School counselors and nurses work hand-in-hand with the clinic team to deliver coordinated support.

Helping Students Build Lifelong Healthy Habits

By integrating health care into the school environment, Legacy helps normalize regular medical and mental health care. This early exposure to health care builds confidence and health literacy, especially for students who may not have regular access to care outside of school.

Over time, students develop the skills to navigate the healthcare system, advocate for themselves, and recognize when they need support.

“Having accessibility directly in the school environment really helps build trust with patients, supports and includes parents’ and educators, and contributes to the child’s overall health and educational success,” says Legacy’s School Based Clinics Director, Lorena Mottu.

For students managing chronic conditions or emotional challenges, the consistency of school-based care ensures they stay on track both academically and socially. “We’re part of their school community, not just a name on a door,” says one Legacy behavioral health counselor.

As students approach graduation, Legacy staff provides a “Senior Check-Out” to help them transition to care in the world beyond school. Whether attending college or entering the workforce, students are connected to the resources they need.

What’s Next for Legacy and School-Based Health Care

Looking ahead, Legacy is excited to continue expanding its SBHC program in collaboration with schools and districts across Greater Houston and surrounding areas.

Plans include increasing access to medical and behavioral health services, offering additional health education programs for students and families, and expanding care coordination and overall services to more campuses in various districts/charters.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to expand beyond medical and behavioral health,” says Ramirez. “We want to help our families connect with resources they may need —supporting them in a holistic way that goes beyond our clinic walls.”

However, expanding these services comes with challenges.

“Cost and awareness are our biggest hurdles,” Ramirez explains. “Legacy provides financial support for medical equipment, supplies, and staffing—which can be a challenge during expansion. And even after 13 years, many families still don’t realize these services are available on campus.”

To increase access, Legacy now offers virtual telemedicine appointments—often available the same or next day—for students, siblings, and school staff children.

How to Access an SBHC Clinic

If you’re a parent or school counselor looking to refer a student to one of our clinics, here’s how to get started:

• Call (281) 628-2050 to obtain a consent, schedule an appointment or ask questions
• Visit legacycommunityhealth.org to explore services and clinic locations

Legacy’s School-Based Health Care program is more than a clinic on campus—it’s a long-term investment in students’ health, confidence, and academic future. With plans to expand and deepen community connections, Legacy remains committed to making sure every student has the tools they need to thrive—in school and in life.