A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

Programs Based in Medical Facilities

Gundersen Lutheran Teen Health Service

Mission:

Pursue excellence in the compassionate delivery of comprehensive health services as a leader in patient care, education, and research. Promote health through community partnerships and learning.

Gundersen Lutheran Teen Health Service, in existence since 1984, offers prevention education, pregnancy/parenting services, and special services to high-risk adolescents. Programs are located in a school, hospital, and health clinic in a rural area and serve approximately 133 pregnant and 126 parenting adolescent mothers. These include white (87 percent), African-American (5 percent), Asian (5 percent), and American Indian (3 percent) youth, 11 to 19 years old.

Teen Health Service is a comprehensive program providing mental health, education, and counseling services to rural adolescents and their families. The program provides outreach services to pregnant, parenting, and high-risk adolescents in community settings. Staff members assess individual needs, make referrals, and coordinate services in order to provide optimal care for adolescents. The multidisciplinary team includes a pediatric physician, director, social workers, dietitian, nurses, health educators, and office support staff.

Education programs provided to schools, youth groups, and community groups address a variety of adolescent issues. Pregnancy and parenting services emphasize early prenatal care, identifying support systems, community resources, and exploring education/life options. Services provided to high-risk teens in schools, group homes, and detention facilities include screening, assessment, and crisis counseling.

Staff provide adolescent suicide prevention, intervention, and consultation to assist school personnel with prevention counseling and with planning and policy development related to adolescent suicide and sudden death. Recognized by the Wisconsin Maternal and Child Health Coalition, the "Teen Night Clinic" offers after school health obstetrical and gynecological services to adolescents. One of the many unique groups that Teen Health Service offers is the Teen Advisory Group, in which adolescent participants assist with program development, program evaluation, and ongoing assessment of young adult needs in the Gundersen Lutheran service area. Also, a Young Parent Support Group offers educational and recreational activities, adoption support, and therapy for postpartum adolescents.

Evaluation data include health records, graduation rates, follow-up, and informal polls.

[Torrence County Maternal and Child Health Program]

[Options for Pregnant and Parenting Teens]