Agenda - 02-01-1993 - III-B - Laserfiche WebLink

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®1 911 and frequently the presenting complaint is a minor problem to deal with as the more complex issues of behavior and family emerge through the medical visit. the clinic site is often used for screening to assess why an adolescent is not succeeding in school and to rally the necessary services to guarantee that success. Through this interface of systems-medical, school, individual and family-comprehensive medical and social plans for students are developed that enable them to receive the services needed to insure success. Enhancing the existing clinic with mental health services and developing a new clinic in Southern Orange County modeled after the existing Adolescent Clinic, complete with follow-up back to school and community resources, allows students access to a very comprehensive plan that addresses mental, social and medical health issues that keep them from realizing their full potential. APPLICANT QUALIFICATIONS The Orange County Coalition for Healthy N.C. Youth is made up of representatives of agencies that developed the original Adolescents-in-Need Project and the teen clinic in Northern Orange County(DSS, Mental Health, Orange County Schools, Health Department, Juvenile Court) as well as representation from the schools in the target area in Chapel Hill/Carrboro. Two members of the Adolescents-in-Need Project serve on the Coalition. The Adolescents-in- Need Project and staff have been recognized at the state and national level. A recent publication on how to develop a program such as theirs, along with staff consultation, has facilitated the replication of 10 similar sites across N.C. The pediatrician in the Adolescents-in-Need Project is the medical provider for the current clinic. She is board eligible for adolescent medicine and board certified in pediatrics. Current Adolescents-in-Need staff and Health Department staff on the coalition were involved with the development of the model teen clinic in 1988. The Health Department has administrative and nursing representation and will continue its leadership in adolescent clinic development. Members of the Coalition have been successful in developing day care for teen parents in Orange County, lowering the teen pregnancy rate and the school dropout rate in the county and developing a spirit in the county that places the needs of adolescents as a high priority. County government continues its financial support of the existing teen clinic and the Adolescents-in- Need Project. In delivery of comprehensive health care, mental health needs continue to rise as a concern. To address this rise in mental health needs the coalition has a local mental health provider and an administrator who will offer expertise in the establishment of the mental health component at each clinic site. Thus we have an experienced coalition complimented with people in the Southern Orange service system who are eager to expand the concept to their school system as well as the political and cultural background to help lay the groundwork for a clinic.