Teen Wellness Center Background and Recommendations

Background

  • As part of the ACPS Education Plan, the School Board and ACPS administrators have been exploring options for bringing the community schools model to Alexandria. A community school provides an integrated focus on academics, health and social services, youth and community development and community engagement, which leads to improved student learning, stronger families and healthier communities. See the Coalition for Community Schools at www.communityschools.org for more information.
  • According to our Strategic Plan, ACPS will provide the environment, resources, and commitment to ensure that each and every student succeeds — academically, emotionally, physically, and socially.
  • The National Assembly of School-Based Health Care believes that: Children and adolescents need high quality, accessible, culturally competent, comprehensive health care, and that the school setting is a sensible and appropriate place to deliver health care because that is where the students are. Visit www.nasbhc.org for more information.
  • The Youth Risk Behavior Survey administered to ACPS students in grades 7-12 in April 2007 indicates that most of the risk behaviors engaged in by adolescents are preventable. The summary states that "Prevention and intervention programs are important to reduce the incidence of these behaviors, however these efforts must be complemented with a community wide initiative to create an environment that fosters healthy options and choices for all youth in all neighborhoods and cultural niches. The next step for the community is to determine local health objectives, establish targets, determine appropriate actions to achieve those goals and what persons and agencies will be accountable. Strategies that capitalize on existing community organizations efforts and involve multiple influences are more likely to succeed."
  • The Virginia Department of Health has reported an increase in recent years in the pregnancy rate among 18- and 19-year-olds, especially Latinas. We also have seen more pregnant and parenting teens at T.C. Williams. Alexandria has one of the highest rates of teen pregnancy in the state. For more information, visit www.alexgetreal.com.
  • The ACPS School Health Advisory Board includes in its scope of work:
    • Review problem of obesity in school population and explore options for data collection and intervention, including the feasibility of BMI (height and weight) data collection at selected grade levels and appropriate strategies for implementing a BMI screening program, if recommended. Review current interventions targeting health education, wellness promotion, nutrition and physical activity. (Strategic Plan Goal 1, objective h)
    • Monitor teen pregnancy and interventions to prevent teen pregnancy. Review best practices for school-based pregnancy prevention programs and recommend programmatic interventions that could be appropriate. (Strategic Plan Goal 1, objective h; Strategic Plan Goal 3, objectives c and d)
    • Review school-based health care planning and implementation. (Strategic Plan Goal 5)
    • Review ACPS pandemic flu planning and response. (Strategic Plan Goal 5)
    • Report on substance abuse issues affecting ACPS students and review current substance abuse prevention curriculum and programming and community resources targeting this problem. (Strategic Plan Goal 1, objective h; Strategic Plan Goal 3, objectives c and d)
    • Review incidence of violence in ACPS schools and report on efforts and effectiveness of violence prevention including gang prevention interventions. (Strategic Plan Goal 1, objective h; Strategic Plan Goal 3, objectives c and d; Strategic Plan Goal 5)
    View the complete document.
  • Through discussions with student advisory committees, Superintendent Mort Sherman found that many students were not aware of, or found it inconvenient to access, the services provided by the Adolescent Health Center on Braddock Road.
  • The Superintendent's African American and Hispanic Advisory Committees for Minority Student Achievement have requested help from the schools to address the problem of teen pregnancy.

Recommendations

Last year, Dr. Sherman asked ACPS Nurse Coordinator Robin Wallin to convene a group representing ACPS, the Adolescent Health Center (AHC), the Alexandria Health Department (AHD), the Alexandria Community Services Board, Inova Health Systems, and the PTA Council, to discuss better ways to meet the health needs of our students. This committee recommended the relocation of the Adolescent Health Center to T.C. Williams High School. The new location will allow increased collaboration among schools, the health department and mental health providers; and continued coordination of health care with primary care providers. The following services will be provided at the Teen Wellness Center:

  • Education to improve students' knowledge of the importance of preventive health care and to promote positive health behaviors (healthy lifestyle choices).
  • Preventative health care services including vaccinations, health screenings, physical examinations and referrals.
  • Screenings, treatment and referrals for substance abuse, depression and other mental health problems.
  • Treatment of sexually transmitted infections and access to birth control. Information provided about abstinence, pregnancy prevention and pregnancy options. Contact information provided for services relating to prenatal care, adoption assistance, infant/child services, pregnancy termination and counseling.
  • Targeted health care intervention, counseling and treatment for teens at risk for school failure by working with school social workers and nurses to increase the graduation rate and school attendance.
  • Exploration of new ways to work collaboratively with community partners to promote teen wellness.