Our 5W Wednesday series highlights a variety of health care organizations, professionals and programs that keep our community healthy.
Who makes up the Regional Alliance for Healthy Schools?
Staff members and student lead Youth Advisory Councils contribute to the Regional Alliance for Healthy Schools (RAHS). Staff members of the Regional Alliance for Healthy Schools (RAHS) consist of a physician, nurse practitioners, social workers, medical assistants, and a dietician, among others.
Why are there Youth Advisory Councils?
Youth Advisory Councils (YAC) consist of youth leaders who act as advocates for students and their RAHS school-based health center by participating as a member of YAC and helping YAC to focus on teen healthcare issues and policies about their health and mental health. They communicate with adults about what’s happening with teens today and talk to people about what teens really need from them and give real ideas on how they can help. YAC members speak with peers about what is risky behavior and how to prevent it, as well as keeping peers informed about what is going on at their school-based health center by helping to advertise services, groups, and events. Finally, the YAC inform lawmakers, teachers, parents, and the principal about why it is important to have their RAHS school-based health center.
What does the Regional Alliance for Healthy Schools do?
The Regional Alliance for Healthy Schools maintains five school-based health centers in Washtenaw County. The health centers provide on site health services to students and implement intervention programs targeting asthma, substance use, and nutrition/physical activity.
Services provided on site:
- Physical Examinations/Sports Participation Exams
- Acute Illness Management (sick care)
- Chronic Illness Prevention Education and Management
- Adolescent Risk Behavior Assessments and Health Counseling (RAAPS)
- Individual, Group and Family Counseling
- Dental Screenings and Treatment by Mobile Dentists
- Laboratory Tests
- Referrals for Community Resources
- Insurance Enrollment
- Spanish Translation Services
- Asthma Program, which aims to increase school attendance rates, increase knowledge about asthma and self-care practices, and positively improve asthma control among asthmatic children
- Project SUCCESS (Schools Using Coordinated Community Efforts to Strengthen Students), a SAMHSA evidence-based model program designed to reduce substance abuse among adolescents with a prevention education series, school-wide activities, a parent program, and individual and group counseling
- Nutrition & Physical Activity Program, which targets students who are identified as at risk or overweight according to their body mass index (BMI) and includes a walking club, individual nutrition counseling, nutrition/physical activity group education, and individual goal-setting projects
Where are the Health Centers located?
- Ypsilanti Middle School & High School
- Scarlett Middle School (includes services provided to Southeast Quadrant Elementary Schools)
- Stone High School
- Willow Run Middle & High Schools
When are the Health Centers open?
Hours vary by location. See the school-specific health links above for health center hours, phone number, and address.