The Texas Association of School-Based Health Centers is pleased to announce the successful completion of our 11th annual conference February 22nd - February 24th. Held in Austin, Texas, it was great to see so many professionals dedicated to keeping the children of Texas healthy. Thanks to all our wonderful participants and partners! Our 2007 TASBHC conference was a wonderful success. This year's conference "Healthy Children...Our Commitment" was dedicated to expanding on the issues and challenges of school-based health centers across the state.

We want to give everyone a synopsis of the content from this year's conference as reference for those who attended, and to encourage everyone to attend next year to take advantage of the wealth of information available.

We were thrilled with the domain experts that gave their time to participate in the conference as speakers. We believe this enhanced the value of the conference. The pre-conference topic was centered around how to start a school based health center. This year's main conference breakout session topics consisted of the following subject matters:

* Advocating for the Health of Texas Children

* Principles and Principals: Nursing Regulations in School Based Health Centers

* Ethical Challenges in School Based Health

* The Link Between Drugs & Depression in Adolescents

* Class D Pharmacy and "Surviving Audits & Paperwork"

* Cultural Considerations When Working With Overweight Hispanic Youth

* Immunization Updates

* Clinical Pathways for Mental Health Services

* Coding & Billing

* Medicaid, CHIP, SBHCs Working Together

* The Tooth Fairy/ Florence Nightengale Connection: The relationship between oral & systemic health.

* HIPAA & FERPA

* Eating Disorders

* Wow! Zing! Kapow! The Use of Superheroes in Therapeutic Play

* Promotora Programs

* Legislative Updates on SBHC Advocacy in Texas

* Case Discussions in Mental Health

* DSHS Contracted SBHCs

* Political Advocacy - "Grassroots at Work"

* The Adolescent Brain

* Behavioral Approach to ADHD

* Successful Partnerships in School Health

The Texas Association of School-Based Health Center conference was both informative and impressive, with all of the presenters being aware of the challenges of starting, sustaining, growing, and advocating for school-based health centers and had a good grasp of the absolute limitations we have collectively without the help of legislative assistance and backing. The speakers were very sincere in their desire, and unified in their ideas that all in attendance must increase their knowledge and comfort level in being a strong supporter of our commitment to the children of Texas.

Although we have made great strides in the legislative efforts both federally and at the state house, still the only real unanswered question is what future there will be for funding both at the national and state levels for our cause. However, through the interest of the conference participants, we gained many great new voices with vested interests in school-based health to assist us in our quest to provide quality health care on school campuses. After all, school success and good health are inextricably linked and that community health and education partnerships are key to student success.

The Texas Association of School-Based Health Centers thanks everyone for their continued loyal support at this year's annual conference. We look forward to seeing you in Houston, TX next year from February 29 - March 1 for the 2008 annual TASBHC conference!