Health Center Student Advisory Committee
Health Center Student Advisory Committee
Testifies at State House to Protect Minor’s Rights
Front row: Kini Tinkham, co-advisor; Justin Greeley; Jackson Pineau, Cindy Flye, co-advisor
Back row: Chuck Hays; MCS Black Bear; Chris Gorman, Maine Youth Action Network; Ben Johnson; Kate Laliberte
Members of the Health Center Student Advisory Committee traveled to the State House on May 6th to testify against LD #251 - a bill that would take away a minor's right to get prescription medication without the expressed consent of a parent - virtually taking away confidential services for reproductive health, mental health and substance abuse for teens. Rights to these services are currently protected under Maine law.
One of the roles of the Health Center Student Advisory Committee is to advocate for health care related issues important to adolescents. The student advisory committee members felt it was important for teens to have a voice and agreed to write letters and testimony against LD #251.
Justin Greeley shared “Even though I may not use all the health center services, I want minor’s rights to be protected. I think expanded services matter to students here at school so I wanted to protect students’ rights to confidential services. I’m glad that I decided to testify.” Read more........
Health Center Student Advisory Committee 08-09
Front: Tyler Whitman, Carrie Kahl, Justin Greeley, Jen Cayting, Ashley Arbour
Back: Kini Tinkham (advisor), Ben Barnes, Chuck Hays, Kate Lalibertie, Gillian Bryant, Cindy Flye (advisor)
Absent when photo taken: Ben Johnson and Jackson Pineau
The mission of the Student Advisory Committee is to advocate for student health center services at the local, state and national level and educate Maranacook students about health center services and important adolescent health issues.
Activities 08-09:
- Provide overview of services at student class meetings
- Attended day long Maine Youth Action Network (MYAN) youth advocacy training
- Attended two day MYAN Peer Leadership Conference - developed action plan to address goals for rest of school year
- Review results of student satisfaction survey to help inform future work
- Create mural in reception area (plus advise health center staff in general re: health center reception area – is it student friendly?)
- Review/update health center web page and educational materials/pamphlets
- Participate in HEART (Healthy, Empowered, and Responsible Teens) of Maine campaign - during legislative session advocate that minor rights to confidential services be maintained – thank local legislators for continued support
- Host Open House during basketball game – give tours of health center & provide overview of services
- Produce short video about student health center for school web page; explore doing short video for You Tube or Facebook about School-based health centers to educate peers.
Health Center Student Advisory Committee Visits State House
Spring 2008
The Health Center Student Advisory Committee visited the State House on March 25, 2008. The students met with Maranacook Area Representatives and Senators to thank them for their support of LD 862 - An Act to Increase Support of School-based Health Centers during the last legislative session. The students shared how the increase in funding has been used at the Maranacook Student Health Center and why the health center is important to young people. The students were able to meet with Representatives Patrick Flood and Pat Jones (pictured) and with Senator Walter Gooley.
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