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WASHINGTON, June 20 -- At the first 2006 District of Columbia Adolescent Wellness Forum, hosted yesterday by the DC Primary Care Association (DCPCA), youth from throughout the District ratified an Adolescent Bill of Rights, unveiled an adolescent friendly health center logo and pledged to continue working with the DCPCA on a wellness campaign targeted to the special needs of young people.
The forum, attended by youth, health care providers, community advocates, public officials and parents, was led by ten adolescent ambassadors and coordinated by Dr. Gloria WilderBrathwaite.
Dr. Gloria, as she is known, said, “Teenagers are one of the most interesting and challenging populations served by health care providers. We must tailor our therapies and advice specifically to a young person’s unique developmental stage -- his or her physiology and capacity to heal and recover. Of all the stages of childhood, the last one, adolescence is the most challenging.”
The Adolescent Bill of Rights, developed in partnership with the DC Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, includes, “… honest and thorough health education, guidance, and care to improve health and well being especially in regards to nutrition, exercise, safety, sex and sexual identity, drugs, alcohol, tobacco use and preventing violence.”
At the forum’s conclusion, the adolescents recognized Mayor Anthony A. Williams, Councilmembers David Catania (I-At-Large) -- who introduced a Council resolution declaring June 19 Adolescent Wellness Day -- Vincent Gray (D-Ward 7) and Kwame Brown (D-At-Large) for their commitment to issues of special concern to young people. Brown made it possible for the teen ambassadors to attend a Nationals baseball game.
The forum’s keynote speaker was Georgetown University men’s basketball coach John Thompson, III, who commented that the future leaders of the District were in the audience, encouraged the young people to continue doing their best.
An “American Idol” finalist during the fourth season, Nadia Turner, performed during the afternoon session.
The morning break-out sessions led by the youth ambassadors covered a wide variety of topics such as financial wellness, legal factors in adolescent health, mental health and development and standards for an adolescent friendly health clinic.
The adolescent ambassadors are: Shayna Baggatts-Porter, Banneker Academic High School; Katrisha Blackwell, Washington Middle School for Girls; Adrianna M. Bonilla, Woodrow Wilson Senior High School; Tiffany D. Gatling, mother and resident of Adams Morgan; Kevin McNeill, Hospitality High School; Awele Olisemeka, recent graduate of Calvin Coolidge Senior High School; Jonathan Rodriguez, father and recent recipient of a General Equivalency Diploma (GED); Laura Stevens, Eastern Senior High School; and Antonio Tyson, recent graduate of Central High School who has been awarded a full scholarship to the University of Maryland.
In preparation for their leadership roles in the forum, the adolescent ambassadors attended ten Saturday training sessions at DCPCA and were mentored by professionals in health, law, finances, and etiquette.
DCPCA Executive Director Sharon Baskerville said, “DCPCA will provide technical assistance to aid health centers in adopting adolescent care guidelines. Upon successful implementation of adolescent guidelines, the health center will be given an official placard and recognition as a District of Columbia Adolescent Friendly Health Center.” DCPCA plans to host an adolescent wellness forum again next year.
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