Teen Health removes barriers to medical and mental health care for Galveston youth, especially those without adequate resources, to keep them healthy and ready to learn. For many families, access to medical and mental health care for their children is a critical concern. Many parents are uninsured or under-insured, unable to afford insurance co-pays, lack access to reliable transportation, or are unable to leave work to take their children to the doctor. In addition, students often miss hours of instructional time when they are taken out of school for appointments. Teen Health Center, Inc. clinics remove barriers to care by providing high-quality, free medical and mental health care where students already are every day, in school.

Galveston residents and/or students ages birth through 21 years old may receive diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic illnesses; immunizations; well-child exams; well-woman exams; prenatal care; treatment of minor injuries; and participation physicals. Youth who struggle with mental health illnesses are treated by our psychologist, three psychiatrists, and six licensed, master’s level therapists. Some of the concerns we treat through therapy and psychiatry services include anxiety; depression; substance abuse; attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); conduct problems; stress-related reactions; and bipolar disorder. With our partners, we also assist the school district achieve its Whole Child strategic initiative by promoting resilience in students for success in school and life.

The Teen Health Center, Inc. operates five school-based clinics that are open year round, Monday through Friday. Clinics are managed by physician assistants whose work is supervised by a board-certified pediatrician. Each clinic includes an on-site lab, where routine blood and urine analysis is conducted. More complicated tests are sent to a local hospital and results are reported within 24 hours. A licensed adolescent psychologist serves as mental health director, supervising seven master's-level therapists. Two psychiatrists are contracted to provide diagnosis and treatment on site two days per week. Both programs are well integrated within their host schools so students are supported as fully as possible.

Progress indicators that are tracked monthly include: The number of medical visits per year. The number of mental health visits per year. The number of absences and discipline referrals among students receiving social and emotional learning instruction. The number of students with acute illness who are not given appointments within two business days of contacting a clinic. The number of immunizations given during the year. The number of families who can not afford required medications receive pharmacy vouchers. The number of participants in educational outreach efforts.

Access to quality medical and mental health services for all Galveston children (0 through 21), regardless of ability to pay, has improved. Last year, all sick patients were seen within 48 hours, most within 24 hours. Illnesses that are caught quickly are easier and less expensive to treat. In addition, treating infectious illnesses early helps reduce the spread of germs to others in the school and the broader community. Patients referred for mental health services were contacted by a therapist within two weeks or less to schedule an initial appointment. Student absenteeism related to illness or mental health issues was reduced. Teen Health Center, Inc. providers conducted 6,737 medical appointments last year. In addition, we had 3,232 mental health contacts. Outreach events in the community helped educate children and families about healthy eating, exercise, substance abuse, hygiene, healthy relationship skills, and other topics that help children grow up healthy. Outreach events such as these reached 2,626 students and parents in the last year. In partnership with three other organizations, Teen Health has improved the culture of our schools through social and emotional learning for students and training for staff. Absenteeism and discipline referrals are decreased over three years in three pilot schools.