Hi Laura and thanks for contacting CTB.
It seems to me that developing a school-based health center involves several different types of activity. First is finding and recruiting people (parents, students, teachers, school authorities, and public health authorities) who share your concern and can help promote the proposal. Second, putting together a series of planning sessions to develop a shared vision and develop strategy. Third, planning the clinic and finding resources to operate it. Fourth, figuring out how to evaluate and to sustain the health clinic. CTB chapters found under Learn a Skill can help you decide how to proceed. Another resource I encourage you to explore is our Database of Best Practices under the Help Taking Action graphic. Several of those sources may provide relevant information.
I think that the best way to engage students is to start with them: Invite many students of all genders, ethnicities, and cultural backgrounds to talk together about their health concerns (and/or those of their friends), the resources they already turn to for health information and services, and the gaps that a school-based health clinic might fill for them. That can be the start of a health club, which then should play an active role in the rest of the process. Ask the students to help prepare a needs statement and identify that can be presented to their communities and to authorities, as a way to get started on the development process.
I have checked several relevant competencies for getting started, but many of the others will apply as you proceed. Feel free to ask follow-up questions if we can be of further assistance, and best wishes for success. Healthy students are a very important community resource.
