By BOB OLIVER
Times-Herald Newspapers
HEIGHTS — The third Oakwood Teen Health Center is now open at Westwood Community Schools’ Tomlinson Middle School, 25912 Annapolis in Inkster, and the district is spreading the word to the community.
“We’re so excited to have the center open and it’s a great opportunity for students and families to get medical care and treatment locally,” Westwood Supt. Sue Carnell said.
The clinic is open fivew days a weeks and offers care for a variety of ailments including immunizations, mental health counseling, sick child care, asthma care and sports physicals.
Oakwood Clinic and Back Office Assistant Jennifer Hall said anyone in Wayne County between 10 and 21 years old is eligible for care at the center, regardless of whether they attend Westwood schools or whether they have medical insurance.
“We serve those with or without insurance and for those without insurance we can help them get enrolled into a program for coverage,” Hall said.
She added that the health center has receive a good response from the community thus far but that Oakwood is still trying to spread the word about it and will host an open house and enrollment fair at the center from 3 to 7 p.m. Aug. 20.
“We want to let everyone know the types of services we offer and give them a chance to visit us and get any questions answered,” Hall said.
Carnell said Westwood is planning to send out more information to residents in the district and surrounding community just before school starts in September to get more information to the public.
“It’s really a great thing to have here and I hope families and students take advantage of it,” Carnell said.
The other two Oakwood Teen Health Centers in Wayne County are in Taylor and Westland. The centers work to positively impact the health of adolescents and young adults in partnership with them and their families, schools and communities by offering prevention and health education programs, general medical programs and counseling services.
There was a third center in Inkster High School, but the center was closed after the district was dissolved in July 2013.
(Bob Oliver can be reached at [email protected].)