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2015 ADVOCACY DAY
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| Northwood High School students with Delegate Bonnie Cullison |
MASBHC held its annual Advocacy Day on Monday February 9th. The event was a success with MASBHC representatives from Montgomery County, Prince George's County, and the Eastern Shore visiting over 35 legislators. MASBHC representatives were advocating for the Council for the Advancement of School Based Health Bill. MASBHC was also thrilled to welcome students from Northwood High School to Advocacy Day this year. Legislators were very excited to hear first hand their experiences in school-based health centers and what their school based health center has meant to them.
The Council for the Advancement of the School Based Health Bill was sponsored by Delegate Bonnie Cullison and Senator Rich Madaleno both who represent Montgomery County. If passed, the bill would restructure the existing but outdated School Based Health Center Policy Advisory Council that was created in 2002. This newly restructured council would bring the right people to the council to ensure school based health centers are part of the emerging health and education reform efforts underway in the state.
To date, the bill has been heard in both the House and Senate committees. Two students from Northwood High School returned to Annapolis to testify in support of the bill when it was heard in the House committee. MASBHC is optimistic that the bill will be passed and this newly restructured council will provide the much needed leadership for Maryland school based health centers into the future. Stay tuned to the MASBHC website for updates on the status as it moves through the legislative process!
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