New Hanover Health Network - Wilmington Health Access for Teen (WHAT)

What is it?

Wilmington Health Access for Teens (WHAT) provides physical and mental health services to area youth, nearly three-quarters of whom are either uninsured or covered by Medicaid or other state programs. A teen advisory board helped select WHAT's staff and site, and continues to influence its direction.

Today, the WHAT main center is operating at capacity, and a 5,300-square-foot addition has been added. In 1999, WHAT began providing services at an alternative high school, and it is the designated medical provider for children in foster care. In 2004, WHAT opened a school-based wellness center at the inner city New Hanover High School. Additionally, WHAT provides area youth the opportunity to become peer health educators, making presentations in the community and sharing knowledge. Outreach projects address teen pregnancy, smoking prevention and a tri-county adolescent health council.

Who is it for?

Youths ages 11 to 24 in New Hanover County and other southeastern North Carolina counties.

Why do they do it?

New Hanover County led the state in foster placements and had the second-highest child abuse and eighth-highest juvenile arrest rates. To address these challenges, New Hanover Health Network developed a plan to build a health center for teenagers, offering physical and mental health services to those in need. Since its establishment, non-emergency visits by adolescents at New Hanover emergency departments have declined relative to overall emergency visits, and teenage pregnancy rates have dropped by one-half.

Contact: Joy Grady
Executive Director
Telephone: 910-790-9949
E-mail: joygrady@whatswhat.org