Healthy kids
learn better.
Michigan’s Child & Adolescent Health Centers keep kids in classrooms.
Child and Adolescent Health Centers (CAHCs) provide high-quality essential primary and mental health care services in an easily accessible setting — in or near school grounds. Parents must consent for their child to receive services which are provided by licensed healthcare clinicians such as physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and master's-level behavioral health professionals in a welcoming space.
For almost four decades, CAHCs have become essential sites for care across the state. With more than 300 of these centers in almost 75% of Michigan's counties, wellness is well within reach for our kids.
Healthy kids learn better.
Michigan’s Child & Adolescent Health Centers keep kids in classrooms.
Child and Adolescent Health Centers (CAHCs) provide high-quality essential primary and mental health care services in an easily accessible setting — in or near school grounds. Parents must consent for their child to receive services which are provided by licensed healthcare clinicians such as physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and master's-level behavioral health professionals in a welcoming space.
For almost four decades, CAHCs have become essential sites for care across the state. With more than 300 of these centers in almost 75% of Michigan's counties, wellness is well within reach for our kids.
Over more than 30 years, CAHCs have become essential sites for care across the state. With more than 300 CAHCs across Michigan in more than half of Michigan counties, wellness is well within reach for our kids.
School health center services
- Primary care
- Mental health care
- Day-to-day wellness visits
- Checkups and sports physicals
- Immunizations
- Chronic disease management
- Asthma
- Diabetes
- Dental services
- Health education
- Access to toiletries, such as soap and deodorant
- Telehealth services
- And more
CAHCs by the numbers
71% of students with access to a CAHC had a health care visit in the past year — compared to only 59% of those without one.
There are more than 300 CAHCs in 58 counties across Michigan.
17,418 health physicals were provided by Michigan’s CAHCs in 2019 alone.
Students returned to the classroom after 82% of clinic visits.
More than 200,000 students have accessed CAHCs in Michigan, as of 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions
Child and Adolescent Health Centers (CAHCs) are specialized health care facilities that provide a variety of health services to children and teens, right in or near their own school. Staffed by experienced, advanced-level practitioners, these centers expand access to care to keep kids healthy and learning.
CAHCs aim to address the unique health needs of young people, offering services such as physical exams, immunizations, mental health counseling, dental care, and health education in a welcoming space. Centers are often located in areas where families may have limited or no access to affordable, high-quality medical services, and can also be located off school grounds as School-Linked Health Centers (which often serve more than one school, with hours extending beyond the school day).
By helping to identify and address health issues before they become more serious, CAHCs increase attendance and graduation rates, improve school performance, and help our kids succeed.
CAHCs are staffed by physicians and/or professional, licensed advanced practice clinicians (nurse practitioners, physician assistants and Master’s level mental health clinicians). School-Wellness Programs (another model of care) are staffed by registered nurses and licensed master’s level mental health providers. Having trained social workers available to help young people with mental health concerns is a unique benefit that many CAHCs offer.
The most commonly provided services at Michigan CAHCs are preventive care (such as wellness exams and mental health care services), minor acute conditions (like sore throats, rashes, and headaches), chronic conditions (like asthma, allergies, and diabetes), and depression and weight management. For services outside the scope of care, referrals are made.
Currently, there are more than 300 CAHCs in 58 counties throughout Michigan. These centers are located either in or close to schools. Our state has one of the largest programs in the United States. See if your school has one.
CAHCs are designed for children and youth ages 3-21. This often includes both children in the school in which the center is located are encouraged, as well as family members within this age range. Some centers are open to the public, but schools get to make this choice for themselves.
There is no out-of-pocket expense to families for using the center, as CAHCs bill insurance or Medicaid. If a student’s family does not have insurance, the center will enroll them. (In fact, we’ve helped thousands of students’ families enroll in Medicaid.) No one is denied care.
Yes – school-based health care is parent-driven health care. Parents must sign written consents for their children who are minors to receive the full scope of services provided at the center. (Certain exceptions are sometimes made in extreme, emergency situations.) Parents and guardians can also get involved by helping determine services and approve policies through their CAHC’s Advisory Council.
A majority of CAHCs are partially funded through the State of Michigan and federal funding. This funding allows CAHCs to reach a significant number of underserved families that would otherwise have limited options in accessing primary and mental health care services.
CAHCs and SBHCs are the same thing. Both terms refer to in-school pediatric offices staffed by health care providers administering services such as primary care, immunizations, mental health screenings, and preventative care. School-Linked Health Centers (SLHCs) are similar to CAHCs, except they are located off school grounds and often serve multiple schools.
CAHCs eliminate barriers to access by bringing services right where students are during the day. Aside from being more convenient all-around, this is especially important for families with limited transportation options or for working parents who can’t take time off work. These centers are also essential for many families that lack a primary care physician; for many kids, this may be their only chance to see a doctor. For children who do have access to a primary care physician, the CAHC will coordinate care.
Additionally, for day-to-day health issues and mental health concerns, CAHCs take these issues out of the classrooms and connect students with qualified medical professionals – because teachers shouldn't have to be nurses and therapists, too.
Establishing a CAHC begins with advocacy. Parents and guardians, school employees, and other community members can spread the word about how they’d like a CAHC at their school to their local school board members and superintendents. Once this need is demonstrated, schools can apply to have a center established in their district. We’ve provided some outreach resources below to help you get started.
The School-Community Health Alliance of Michigan exists to support school-based and school-linked health centers and programs, and help bring these centers to more schools. Learn more about SCHA-MI at scha-mi.org.
Help us spread the word
It takes all of us to advocate for CAHCs — for our children, for our communities, for our future. Help expand these centers across the state by printing out copies of the handouts below and sharing at your next school board meeting. Contact superintendents and school boards across the state with our email scripts and contacts below.
“About CAHCs” Handout
An overview of CAHCs to share at school board meetings or with other school officials
Email script – Asking for a health center
Want a CAHC at your school? Use this email outline to reach out to your school officials.
Email script – Sharing your support
Do you already have a CAHC and want to share your positive experience? Use this email outline to advocate for CAHCs in other counties across Michigan.
School officials contact list
Reach out to these school leaders in counties without school health centers to encourage them to open a CAHC in their schools.