Aug. 14, 2025

Creating Access to Health and Hope at School

In South Carolina, many kids carry more than just backpacks into the classroom. Some arrive with toothaches, anxiety or vision challenges, quiet health barriers that make it harder to learn, grow and thrive.

That's why schools are becoming an important point of access for health. With support from the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation, nonprofits and providers are bringing crucial physical, dental and emotional care directly into the school environment. These programs meet kids where they are. They help them stay healthy, focused and ready to learn.

Why School-Based Health Matters

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, student health is deeply linked to academic success. Healthy students are more likely to earn better grades, attend school regularly and graduate on time. Students who struggle with physical, oral or mental health conditions often face challenges that can limit long-term opportunities.

The Foundation supports programs that address these gaps through school-based services and local partnerships, helping more kids get the care they need across the state.

Meeting Needs Where Students Are

Programs like Healthy Learners offer vision, hearing and dental screenings directly on campus. They also provide case management and transportation to ensure students get any necessary follow-up care. 

In rural Chesterfield and Darlington counties, more than 1,800 children have received full dental exams through a partnership with CareSouth Carolina, which provides school‑based dental services to 29 schools across those counties. For working families, each visit saves hours of time that might otherwise be lost to travel and scheduling issues.

Improving Oral Health Through Early Access

The School-Based Oral Health Initiative, launched in 2018, aims to remove barriers to dental care by setting up onsite dental clinics in schools. This program delivers cleanings, sealants and fluoride treatments as prevention, along with treatment for cavities and other dental issues.  

Untreated oral health issues can lead to pain, school absences and difficulty focusing. By catching problems early, this initiative reduces health complications and supports learning.

Supporting Mental Health Where Kids Need It Most

Mental health is a growing challenge for children across the country. More than one in five kids experience a mental or behavioral health condition each year, yet most never receive the help they need. That’s why community partners are stepping up to bring support directly to South Carolina schools, where kids already feel safe, seen and supported.

With help from the Foundation, programs in Darlington, Florence and Marion counties are expanding access to mental health services in ways that meet children and teens where they are, both emotionally and physically.

In elementary schools, students are learning to manage emotions and build resilience through early intervention and social-emotional learning. These lessons help prepare them for the challenges of middle and high school. In middle schools, peer support networks are giving young people the tools to talk about mental health, reduce stigma and navigate tough moments together. These student-driven programs help create a culture where it’s OK to ask for help.

For adolescents, suicide prevention efforts, like the “Go Lime Green” campaign and Ending the Silence, a program from NAMI, are empowering teens with knowledge and connection. These initiatives focus on building awareness, offering hope and ensuring that no child feels alone.

By bringing care and conversation into the classroom, these partners are helping more young people thrive, not just today, but into adulthood.

Promoting Physical Activity and Healthier Environments

Initiatives such as FitnessGram and Wellness Inspired School Environments (WISE) are reshaping how schools approach physical education and student wellness. These programs encourage movement, healthy habits and supportive learning environments. Their influence continues as more schools adopt and sustain these practices.

Creating Lasting Impact Through Partnership

Across South Carolina, nonprofit organizations and local agencies are working every day to bring essential health services into schools. These partners are designing and delivering innovative programs that promote physical, emotional and developmental health, right inside the classroom.

With support from The Foundation, these efforts are growing in scale and sustainability. The Foundation’s investment helps community partners bring care, connection and wellness to children who may otherwise go without.

When health is prioritized in schools, children are better prepared to learn, grow and reach their full potential. The Foundation is walking alongside schools, providers and communities to build a future where every child has a chance to thrive, one filled with possibility, promise and support.

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