Behavioral Health Improvement Grants (SBHC Core Grant Program) is sponsored by Washington State Department of Health. These grants are for established School-Based Health Centers (SBHCs) to add, sustain, or improve behavioral health services.

SBHC Core Grant Program Information | Healthier Washington Collaboration Portal SBHC Core Grant Program Information The DOH SBHC grant program works to expand and sustain the availability of school-based health centers (SBHCs) to K-12 students in Washington public schools, with a focus on historically underserved communities and populations.

The intent of the DOH SBHC grants is to fund projects that will: Increase the number, capacity, and sustainability of SBHCs in Washington Improve the health and educational outcomes of children and youth in Washington Continue efforts to increase health equity throughout Washington and prioritize serving, engaging, and supporting historically underserved communities, including Tribal communities.

DOH awarded the first SBHC grants in 2022. Currently, all grantees are implementing their projects. See the SBHC story map for a map of current DOH SBHC grant recipients and information on their projects.

The grant types are defined below: Planning Grants (up to $50,000) – Planning grant recipients gather information, support, and resources to plan for a new SBHC in a community or school where one does not currently operate. Start-Up Grants (up to $250,000) – Start-up grant recipients use grant funding to implement their existing SBHC start-up plan to open and operate an SBHC in a community or school where one does not currently operate.

Operational, Expansion, and/or Improvement Grants (up to $150,000) – Operations grant recipients have an established SBHC and use grant funding for ongoing operations and/or an expansion or improvement project. Behavioral Health Improvement Grants (up to $90,000) – Behavioral health grant recipients use grant funding to add, sustain, or improve behavioral health services at an SBHC. The law (RCW 43.

70. 825) defines an SBHC as “a collaboration between the community, the school, and a sponsoring agency that operates the school-based health center, which is a student-focused health center located in or adjacent to a school that provides integrated medical, behavioral health, and other health care services such as dental care.

” The SBHC Grant Requirements (PDF) outline more key definitions and requirements to participate in the SBHC grant program. The requirements help to ensure that DOH SBHC core grant projects meet the needs of Washington communities and the intent of the law establishing the program. SBHCs, partners, the SBHC Community Advisory Board , and Youth Advisory Council provided feedback to inform the final grant requirements.

School-Based Health Center Program Resources for Youth-Serving Providers Youth Engagement and the Youth Advisory Council Youth Friendly Care Network Youth Friendly Care Network Participants Brain Health & Dementia Awareness Public Health Actions and Resources Tribal Actions and Resources Brain Health & Dementia Awareness Grants 2026 Public Health Awardees Breast, Cervical, and Colon Health Program Cancer Action Plan of Washington Statewide Coalition Colorectal Cancer Task Force ESSENTIALS FOR CHILDHOOD (EFC) Child and Family Data Sources CHW Vaccine Confidence Toolkit Frequently asked questions Identifying misinformation Directory of WA Portal resources for community workers Health Justice Community Advisory Committee Disabilities Access and Functional Needs Community Driven Outreach Initiative Community Health Worker Leadership Committee Strategic Goals and Actions Join the CHW Leadership Committee Directory of WA Portal resources for community workers DOH Federal Engagement Resources Public Health Stories in Washington Early Hearing Detection, Diagnosis and Intervention (EHDDI) Program Specialized Providers and Services Transition from Part C to Part B Eastern Washington Community Health Worker (CHW) Network Community and Clinical Resources Job and Volunteer Opportunities Directory of WA Portal resources for community workers Electronic Case Reporting Environmental Justice Council Fred Hutch Community Coalitions Central Washington: Community Action Board (CAB) Eastern Washington: Community Action Network of Eastern Washington (CANEW) Western Washington: Community Action Coalition (CAC) Health Equity Zones Initiative Port Gamble S’Klallam HEZ Health Innovation Partnership See what health topics are available on this site High-THC Training for Retail Cannabis Workers Maternal and Child Health Block Grant Needs Assessment MCO Collaborative Workgroups Follow-Up After Hospitalization for Mental Illness Health Equity: Children’s Mental Health Service Rate Youth Mental Health Access Community Project Office of Infectious Disease Syndemic Services Syndemic Service Navigation and Integrated Testing Syringe Services Programs and Naloxone Distribution HIV Client and Community Services Parenting and Birth Support Program Current and Former Grantees Pregnant, Parenting, Children, Families and Substance Use Workgroup Family Treatment and Early Childhood Court Programs Lactation Guidance and Patient Education Perinatal Substance Use Services State Summit and Trainings National Health Service Corps - NHSC Health Professional Shortage Area - HPSA Public Health Academic Learning Collaborative (WA PHALCO) For Faculty & Academic Programs For Public Health Practitioners Public Health Speakers Network 2024-2025 Public Health Career Series Public Health Advisory Board Qualitative Fit Tester Training Qualitative Fit Tester Resources Rural Nursing Education Program (RNEP) Washington Rural Palliative Care Initiative Pediatric Palliative Care Billing & Financial Sustainability Webinar Recording Library Washington State Cardiovascular Connection Partner with Community Health Workers Link with Community Resources Self-Monitored Blood Pressure Washington State Health and Human Services Enterprise Coalition Integrated Eligibility and Enrollment Modernization Program (IE&E) IE&E Projects and Capabilities WIC Clinic Hiring Process Pre-major Phase (AA and AS) Bachelor's Degree and DPD Master's Degree, Dietetic Internship, and Coordinated Programs Mentorships, Professional Organizations, Job Boards Account Access | Joining a Team Toolbar Instructions (PDF) Using Accordions Effectively on Webpages Using the invitation process for the Portal team space How Team Managers can add or remove members Everything to know about team emails