Resources for Teen Health Coverage!
Trauma-Informed Yoga for Youth
Adverse Childhood Experiences and Fostering Well-being
General Information
The
health status of adolescents is a key determinant for adult health,
productivity, and longevity. Adolescence, the transition from childhood to
early adulthood (between ages 10 and 19), represents a critical phase in human
development. While adolescence may appear to be a relatively healthy period of
life, health patterns, behaviors, and lifestyle choices have important health
implications over time. Habits and behaviors frequently started during
adolescence such as diet, exercise, sexual behavior, nicotine/alcohol and
substance use can pose unfavorable health outcomes in the short-term and across
the lifespan. Mental health disorders and related conditions often surface
during adolescence and are best addressed early on before major challenges
present.
The
Adolescent Health and Wellness Program uses the public health approach by
addressing risk factors increasing the likelihood of adverse health outcomes in
youth. To improve health
outcomes the program focuses
on increasing the number of adolescents who are (1) adequately insured, (2) obtaining yearly
preventive medical visits, and (3) receiving services to transition into adult
health care systems. Health outcomes are anticipated to improve when youth are
adequately insured, receive yearly wellness visits, and possess health
literacy.
School-Based Health Centers (SBHCs)
This program is part of
the Bureau of Child, Family and Community Wellness which supports communities
in promoting the health and well-being of the school-age population through
evidence-based best practices within a public health framework. SBHCs provide
on-school site health care delivery by an interdisciplinary team of health
professionals, which can include primary care and mental health clinicians.
Research has demonstrated the SBHCs’ impacts on delivering preventive care,
such as immunizations, and body mass index; managing chronic illnesses, (e.g.,
asthma, obesity, and mental health conditions); providing reproductive health
services for adolescents; and improving youths’ academic performance.
SBHCs can select to
become certified through BCFCW, although clinics choosing not to become certified are
free to operate in Nevada. Certification increases emphasis
on best practices, reduces site-to-site variability, advances the ability to
study clinical outcomes, and provides an opportunity for insurance
reimbursement for facilities formerly unable to bill for services. Only certified SBHCs are eligible to receive Nevada Medicaid and Nevada Check-Up reimbursements from DHCFP as a Provider Type (PT) 17, Specialty 179 for billing purposes.