HAMILTON, GA – Harris County School District (HCSD) is proud to announce that Assistant Superintendent of Support Services, Shelia Baker, was invited to present alongside CareSource at the 2026 National School-Based Health Care Conference, held June 23–25, 2026, at the American University Washington College of Law in Washington, D.C.
The National School-Based Health Care Conference, hosted annually by the School-Based Health Alliance, is the premier national event dedicated to advancing school-based health care, telehealth, and health equity. The conference brings together healthcare professionals, education leaders, advocates, and community partners from across the country to share innovative strategies that improve access to quality healthcare services for children, adolescents, and families.
Baker was selected to present in recognition of her visionary leadership in establishing strong community partnerships that led to the implementation of school-based telehealth centers in every Harris County school. Through these efforts, Harris County School District became the first school system in Georgia to provide school-based telehealth services to both students and staff members.
The collaborative presentation, "Adopt a School Program," highlighted the successful partnership between Harris County School District and CareSource and emphasized three key elements of a sustainable school-community partnership:
· Aligned Mission & Values – A shared commitment to student health, wellness, and educational success.
· Data Management & Evaluation – Effective systems for monitoring outcomes and measuring program impact.
· Culture of Collaboration – Meaningful engagement among schools, families, healthcare providers, and community stakeholders.
"Being selected to present at this national conference is an honor and reflects the innovative work taking place in Harris County, as well as the power of strong partnerships to remove barriers to student success," said Baker. "I am sincerely grateful to the Harris County Board of Education for embracing this vision and approving the implementation of our School-Based Telehealth Program. I also extend my heartfelt appreciation to our sustaining partners—Mercer Medicine Harris County, the Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center, CareSource, the Harris County Board of Commissioners, and the Center for Rural Prosperity and Innovation—whose belief in our vision, financial investment, and collaborative planning made this initiative possible. Together, we have built a sustainable model that expands access to quality healthcare for our students and staff while strengthening the connection between education and community wellness. It is a privilege to share our journey with school districts across the nation, and we hope our experience encourages others to build innovative, collaborative partnerships that improve outcomes for children and families."
HCSD remains committed to ensuring that every student has access to the resources and support needed to thrive academically, socially, emotionally, and physically. The district's School-Based Telehealth Program continues to serve as a model for innovative healthcare delivery in education.