Communities of Practice

The 2019 SMSBHA Needs Assessment, completed by over 60 respondents, identified the need for a peer network for stakeholders from schools, sponsoring healthcare organizations, and other organizations who support school-based health to share information, tools, and resources as well as exchange best practices for implementing school-based health programs. In response to this need, the SMSBHA is excited to introduce our 2020 Communities of Practice forums, calendar, and topics.

What is a SMSBHA Community of Practice?

At its core, a SMSBHA Community of Practice is a discussion-based virtual forum around a specific topic or component of school-based health (SBH). Held via the Zoom web conferencing platform and facilitated by the SMSBHA Training & Technical Assistance Manager, Molly Imming, participants volunteer to present their questions or best practices around the topic.

During the virtual forum, all are encouraged to participate by asking questions and providing input based on their experience in SBH. The SMSBHA Community of Practice extends beyond the virtual forum as participants have the option to share their contact information and participate in an on-going discussion forum to ask additional questions as they arise and share tools and resources.

How are topics chosen for Communities of Practice?

The topics for each Community of Practice are based on the Core Competencies of School-Based Health, which were developed by the National School-Based Health Alliance and summarize the necessary supports, activities, and knowledge that SBH programs should strive for in order to be sustainable.

Who should join a Community of Practice?

We welcome anyone in the planning, implementation, or sustaining phase of school-based health programs to join. While the information shared will be most useful to school nurses, school-based health program staff (including center managers or coordinators and health care providers), and others with direct involvement in the day-to-day activities of school-based health, all are welcome to join.

When will they be offered and how do I sign up?

Communities of Practice will be held every other month beginning in January 2020. Note that days and dates may change based on the needs of participants and we will do our best to accommodate everyone’s schedules. We will not meet in June, July, or August due to summer break nor in December due to the holidays and winter break.  You may sign up to attend all forums or for individual forums that are relevant to your unique challenges or questions.