SCHOOL-BASED CENTERS for ADOLESCENTS in NINETEEN SCHOOL DISTRICTS

The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), Division of Public Health (DPH), is soliciting proposals from qualified vendors to operate thirty-two (32) School-Based Health Centers (SBHCs) across nineteen (19) school districts throughout the state. Vendors must submit proposals that address all high schools within the targeted district, as outlined in the Availability of Funds section (e.g., Colonial School District - William Penn High School; Christina School District - Christiana, Glasgow, and Newark High Schools). The primary mission of the SBHC program is to provide prevention-oriented, multidisciplinary health services to adolescents directly within their public school environments. These services are intended to complement and coordinate with existing school-based supports-such as health education, pupil personnel services, and academic counseling-as well as each student's established medical home or primary care provider. Successful implementation of this initiative supports DPH's vision of creating an environment where all Delawareans, particularly children and adolescents, can achieve their full potential for a healthy life. The program aims to ensure that students have access to high-quality, integrated school-based health services that improve health status, enhance well-being, and contribute to optimal academic achievement. SBHCs-also referred to as Student Wellness Centers-follow a nationally recognized health care delivery model, offering comprehensive physical, behavioral, and preventive services to school-aged youth. Services are delivered by licensed and credentialed health professionals working collaboratively in a school-based setting using a holistic, integrated approach. Adapting to the Evolving Health Care Landscape The SBHC model has served Delaware's youth for over three decades, providing a trusted and accessible entry point into the health care system. However, the current health care environment demands that the SBHC model evolve to meet new challenges and opportunities. Future operations must reflect: • Increased flexibility and local customization • Stronger integration with primary care systems • Greater fiscal stability and sustainability • A focused commitment to equity and outcomes for underserved populations • Regulatory Compliance Requirements • All vendors responding to this RFP must demonstrate the ability and commitment to operate SBHCs in full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. Specifically, adherence to the following is required for program eligibility and contract execution: • Delaware Code Title 18, §3365 • Delaware Code Title 18, §3571G • Delaware Administrative Code, Regulation 4102 These statutes and regulations establish the legal and operational framework for SBHCs in Delaware. Vendors must ensure compliance throughout the duration of the contract. Project Goals Adolescents are a medically underserved and at-risk population. In Delaware, poverty continues to be a significant challenge, directly impacting access to and utilization of health services. According to recent data: • 16% of children aged 18 and under live at or below 100% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) • 40% live at or below 200% of the FPL High rates of poverty and unemployment-affecting both youth and adults-have a profound influence on health insurance coverage and access to consistent, preventive health care. Findings from the 2015 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) highlight several pressing concerns: • 50% of youth had tried alcohol • 6% currently use tobacco products • 58.7% had tried electronic vapor products • 39.7% reported feeling sad or hopeless • 50% were not physically active for at least 60 minutes a day on 5 or more days per week • 31.5% described themselves as slightly or very overweight • 46.3% had engaged in sexual intercourse In addition, unintended teenage pregnancies (age 17 and under) carried a substantial cost to the Medicaid program, estimated at over $4 million in 2008, with 81% of those costs resulting from unplanned pregnancies. These indicators clearly reflect the need for accessible, adolescent-centered health services that are responsive to the physical, emotional, and psychosocial needs of youth. The school setting is uniquely positioned to serve as an optimal environment for delivering these preventive and supportive services.