The Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District and the Grand Traverse County Health Department have joined forces to provide the utmost in health care to students in the five county area, as well as any adolescent between the ages of 10-21 in the community.
The Youth Health and Wellness Center, located on the campus of the Career Tech Center in Traverse City, was one of 12 Michigan sites selected in October 2005 to receive a three-year grant for operational funding from the Michigan Department of Community Health along with the Michigan Department of Education.
Following months of planning, completion of a community needs assessment and coordination with Munson Medical Center, who donated a portable building, the facility opened for limited services in January of 2006. More than 1,200 clients visited the clinic during the past 12 months.
"I am proud to live, work and be a father in this five county region that came together as a community to address an area of significant concern, our students health,” said Michael Hill, superintendent of the TBA-ISD, at a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the official opening of the fully staffed health center last week.
A nurse practitioner, under the direction of a licensed physician, is available to students a minimum of 30 hours per week offering services which include:
• Limited primary care and acute medical care
• Sick care/minor illness treatment
• Sports/job/camp/physicals
• Immunizations
• Help with health insurance
• Nutrition advice
• Acne treatment
• Help with ongoing problems such as asthma, allergies, diabetes
• HIV testing and counseling
• STD diagnosis and treatment
• Pregnancy testing
• Behavioral counseling
• Assistance for shelter, clothing, food through community resources
• Help with depression, thought of suicide and anxiety
"This clinic allows for quality health care for students at a site where they spend a great deal of time - their school. It reduces barriers of cost, distance and transportation, to their health care,” said program coordinator, Lisa Peacock, noting that no one will be denied services for their inability to pay.
Payment is based on student income, availability of health insurance coverage, and is determined on a sliding fee schedule.
For more information, call the Youth Health and Wellness Center at 922-6416.