FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE HEALTH FEE
What is the Student Health Fee?
The Sonoma County Junior College District has established Student Health Services as an integral part of the college community. The Board's intent in providing Student Health Services at SRJC is to monitor and improve the health and safety of the college community and to support student retention and academic success by addressing the student health needs. California Education Code (76355) allows a Health Fee to be charged to students, and at Santa Rosa Junior College, this is applied to all credit enrolled students, regardless of class location. The maximum amount of the Health Fee is outlined by the Education Code, with $1 cost of living increases allowed when inflationary indexes in California warrant it. Additionally, the Education Code language includes regulations on what services may be provided with Health Fee dollars.
What does the Health Fee pay for?
The Health Fee is the primary source of funding for programs offered by the Student Health Services department. This includes the salaries of professional staff in the health centers established on the Santa Rosa and Petaluma campuses. The staff provides individual healthcare services, such as nurse practitioner and physician visits, mental health crisis counseling, as well as health promotion in classrooms, online, and at campus events. Staff also provides support services towards improving the health of the entire college community through public health and risk management interventions, such as emergency preparedness, Incident Report tracking/analysis, and trainings. The Health Fee also pays for some medical supplies, such as onsite lab work and antibiotics, to assist in the control of communicable diseases. See District Policy 8.4P for a full description of the scope of services provided.
Why must all students pay the Health Fee? I don’t plan on using Student Health Services.
The public health funding model, as designed by the Education Code and adopted by the Board of Trustees, invests Health Fee dollars towards sustainable and effective health services within the entire college community.
When any individual student with a communicable disease is being treated by Student Health Services, this keeps all students, staff and faculty on our campuses healthier by reducing exposure to infections.
When Student Psychological Services offers drop-in Crisis Intervention for distressed students, this helps keep disruptive situations out of the classrooms and alleviates anxiety felt by their peers and faculty, by connecting them with the help they need.
Online resources are provided, which all students may access, including a broad range of informational and interactive sites, Sonoma County healthcare resources, on-line mental health screenings, and Student Health 101, an online health magazine. This contributes to a healthier educational environment for everyone.
Are there any waivers allowable for the Health Fee?
The District currently allows waivers for students currently enrolled in Study Abroad programs, incarcerated students, students that rely exclusively upon prayer for healing (form from Adminissions & Records available here), students in qualified apprenticeship programs, and when dual-enrollment CCAP courses are physically at high schools. These waivers are outlined in District Policy 5.4P.
Who may access Student Health Services, and what is available?
Any student enrolled in a credit course may access free healthcare visits with the professional staff. Whereas many of the students coming into the health centers for this service are economically challenged and do not have health insurance, just as many students DO have health insurance, finding the location convenient, and without costly co-payments for healthcare visits in the community. These services include:
- Over the counter items, such as ibuprofen, condoms, and band aids
- Visits with nurse practitioners, physicians, and mental health providers
- Treatment for acute injuries and illnesses
- Individual, couples, family, and group therapy
- Crisis intervention drop-in services
- Emergency contraception and pregnancy testing
- Assistance meeting health requirements associated with academic programs
- Information on MediCal enrollment, and health insurance options
- Assistance with Student Accident Insurance claims
- Community referrals and resource-finding.
- Immunizations* (provided at cost)
How does a student access services?
During virtual services for any type of service, call us. When we return to in-person services, walk-in appointments for clinical services are accommodated as possible, though appointments are preferred. For mental health appointments, students simply come to our office in Race (Santa Rosa) or Call (Petaluma), complete paperwork, and have an initial assessment. Immediate appointments are typically available during weekday drop-in hours, although students can be seen at other times if in crisis or if not available during regular drop-in hour (by arrangement).
Call Student Health Services at 707 527-4445, and staff will assist you in accessing the specific service or support you need.
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