School Health Center Project
Backround
The Center for Youth formed a community-school partnership to plan for the establishment of a new school health center in the San Mateo Union High School District (SMUHSD).
Funding for the school health center project was raised from:
- The California Endowment
- Lucile Packard Foundation for Childrens Health
- San Mateo County Health Department
- Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Researchers from UCSFs Department of Health Policy Studies worked with CFY to administer surveys to over 550 students in the SMUHSD. Survey data confirmed students need for and interest in:
- a youth-friendly place for students to gather and participate in activities
- health education & nutrition
- counseling & medical services
Focus groups were conducted with multicultural parent groups who confirmed the strong need and parental support for a new school health center.
Conducted interviews and visits to Bay Area School Health Centers who provided valuable information on strategies for setting up successful school health centers.
New Teen Center
In September 2007, The Center for Youth launched the new Teen Center at Aragon High School in San Mateo. Initial activities include:
- Training a youth leadership group at Aragon to help plan and conduct activities and events at the new Teen Center
- Conducting sessions on life skills & health topics for health and support classes
- Providing a safe and comfortable place where students come at lunch and after-school to participate in activities such as art, music, dance, theater & discussions.
- Working with Teen Health Van staff at Lucile Packard Childrens Hospital of Stanford to begin providing medical, social work & nutrition services in 2008.
- Coordinating Teen Center plans, services and activities with school administrators, counselors, faculty members, groups of parents and students.
- Engaging in school media coverage including article in Aragons school newspaper.
- Conducting fund development activities to support programs & services, including:
- Medical care
- Nutrition & fitness
- Counseling
- Health education
- Youth development activities
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