Narrative

Exit 3: Facilities
On any road trip, it is necessary to stop at rest stops, view points, gas stations, and possibly a road side café or two. Rest stops are designed to meet the needs of travelers. Generally, the facility will have restrooms, vending machines, maps of the local area, and a place to stretch your legs and give your dog a chance to sniff around. In the same way, SBHCs are designed to meet the needs of the people accessing them, in addition to meeting federal and state regulations.

While SBHCs may differ in appearance and space, there are common considerations and recommendations that need to be addressed early in the planning stages. The facility needs to meet the many functional components of a health center’s daily activities, as well as be developmentally and age appropriate for the population accessing the services. This exit will provide you with materials to help you: plan your space, make sure there are safety considerations addressed, provide you with equipment ideas, assist you in understanding facility requirements, and address your partnership opportunities for facility management. Return to this exit often as there are some new and exciting additions planned for the future!