From the hallway, it looks as though students at Jennings High School and College Prep Academy are entering another classroom. Inside, it is just what the doctor ordered, The SPOT to receive free health services – like sports physicals, reproductive health education, services and testing, case management and mental health counseling – all confidential – all free of charge to students or their families.
Supporting Positive Opportunities with Teens (The SPOT) is the brainchild of Washington University St. Louis, and its main location is located at 4169 Laclede (first floor) in St. Louis’ Central West End. When staff looked at their data of who is receiving services, one zip code stood out.
“When we looked at the number of visits from different parts of the city and county, the 63136 zip code happened to be the highest number of visits,” said Dr. Sarah Garwood, medical director at The SPOT at Jennings High School and assistant professor of pediatrics at Washington University School of Medicine.
“That, in addition to a review of teen pregnancy data helped us know that 63136 was … probably a good target and a good place to look. There was a high number of births to teen mothers in 63136.”
The next logical step was to find a location within that zip code that would remove transportation and other barriers for teens living in 63136 who could use SPOT services. While that zip code overlaps three North St. Louis County school districts (Jennings, Riverview Gardens and Hazelwood), they decided on Jennings. They approached urban education champion, Superintendent Tiffany Anderson at Jennings School District, to see what could be done. It took a couple of years of planning and approvals, but the school-based health clinic at the high school recently celebrated its first year in operation.
“Tiffany Anderson was very open to the idea – very welcoming of the idea,” Garwood said, and the school board has been supportive. She added that incoming superintendent Art McCoy seems to be a very engaged partner as well.
“He’s been very supportive of the idea and I think really recognizes the connections between health and academic performance and has been very supportive and enthusiastic about keeping health services for kids in the district,” Garwood said.
The district converted two classrooms into a health clinic.
Jennings school students can use the clinic – and it does not take the place of the regular school nurse. While The SPOT at Jennings does not have a hangout area – it provides enhanced health services that some students may not otherwise have access.
“We’re probably a little bit over 200 referrals, and of those, we’ve probably provided mental health and substance abuse screening, case management screening to approximately 125 of those students, “ said Chardial Samuel, school-based health center coordinator. “Close to 60 have received medical services; 40 to 50 have been referred for mental health.”
Samuel said they also can help set up a primary care site for students who may not have a doctor.
“They may or may not see a primary care physician on a regular basis,” Samuel explained. “If they do not, then, by all means, Dr. Garwood and our nurse practitioner will be able to be their medical care home. And if they do have a medical care home, we will facilitate care with their primary care physician.”
For students who are or will soon turn age 18, clinic staff can refer them to an enrollment specialist for health insurance coverage.
Payton, a high school senior said The SPOT at Jennings is a good opportunity that more students should take advantage.
“It’s a program for all ages and all grade levels and they would be able to help people out – personally, medically – even if you just need somebody to talk to, to be there,” she said. “It should be more programs like this at other schools as well.”
From her peers, Payton said the non-judgmental manner of SPOT staff resonates with students.
“They are able to open up to them about anything without feeling judged or feeling like you’ve got to make a decision about anything,” Payton added. “They are on your side with whatever is going on with you, and I feel like they’re just good listeners and you’re able to communicate with them without being judged.”
The clinic has helped students get the medical care for major health issues.
“In a couple of cases, have identified students who had been lost to medical follow-up for chronic illnesses and linked them back into care,” Dr. Garwood said. “We have been providing contraceptive care for adolescents who are requesting that – and that’s a real valuable service for teens … and that’s really a progressive program to be allowed in a school.”
Startup funding from a number of local sources made the clinic a reality. Garwood said it is totally grant supported only through August. The SPOT at Jennings is looking for grantors and private donations to keep the clinic operating as they move from start-up to sustainability.
“There is so much interest in the community at-large as far as school-based health centers and really, our model, which integrates mental health care and includes case management to help with basic needs,” Garwood explained. “It was a Ferguson Commission recommendation; there is a lot of interest in the model – I’m just hopeful that some kind of partnership … is going to be able to come through.”
Parents or guardians must sign consent forms to allow students to use the health clinic at Jennings High School, which is open during regular school hours.
At The SPOT’s St. Louis location, medical services are available to walk-ins from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. For more information, visit thespot.wustl.edu.
