News and Information for the Native American Community
8/30/07
NAHC Offers Skyline High School Teen Clinic
by Sandra Tavel
Every Wednesday afternoon, the Medical Department offers priority, drop-in appointments to Skyline High School teens. Teens can come in for medical services, including sports physicals, reproductive health issues, referrals to other services and more.
All services are confidential, meaning teens do not need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian to be seen by a provider; any results are also entirely confidential.
Basic health services for teens are lacking in the Oakland Unified School District, and in this particular situation, Skyline High School. "We just want the community, especially the teens, to be aware that we offer this service and that we set aside every Wednesday afternoon specifically for the Teen Clinic.
Teens should feel free to drop-in and know they will be seen as quickly as possible and/or linked to other services," says Bonnie Trinclisti, RN.
The goal of the Skyline Teen Clinic aims to provide access to free, confidential services teens would otherwise not be able to obtain from their school alone.
The Skyline Teen Clinic is sponsored by a grant awarded to the NAHC by the Alameda Health Consortium of just under $25,000. This grant pays for outreach and program materials, medical supplies, shuttle services for teens from Skyline High School to the NAHC, pertinent staff training, and printer materials.
In June of 2006, the Seattle-based company, Babeland, donated about $250 in safer-sex supplies as well as substantial discounts specifically for the Teen Clinic. Babeland's generous donation enabled staff to make over 300 outreach kits.
Overall, this program has been a very positive beginning down a long road to teen wellness.
Our teens have a lot on their plate these days and the NAHC wishes to support our teens in the most effective way possible.
"One thing I like about the teen clinic is that it teaches teens to be more assertive and mindful about their own health," says Susan Jamerson, MPH, Executive Director of the Oakland Clinic.
