Texas Lawmakers Step In to Save School Centers.

• Position: Brief Article

It takes good health to be a topnotch student. And more schools are joining the effort to improve kids' health and well being through school-based health centers.

More than 1,100 of these centers across the country provided student services last year. But one of the big problems is money. When Texas recently lost funding from the state Department of Health, the Legislature stepped up to the plate.

Lawmakers created a grant program that provides $150,000 each year for 2000 and 2001 to help support school-based health centers. The grant is awarded through a competitive process to school districts, with priority given to rural and high poverty districts.

Districts receiving grants must provide matching funds and appoint members to an advisory council that reflects the values and diversity of the community. The council must have at least one member from parent, student, teacher...