Rocky Mountain Youth Clinics

The Rocky Mountain Youth Clinics, a pediatric safety-net provider, is bringing primary, mental and dental health care to children and families that have difficulty accessing health care through the traditional system. "Compared to insured kids, the uninsured are eight times more likely to miss out on needed medical care, resulting in higher rates of preventable conditions, poorly managed diseases and more frequent use of emergency care," said Stephanie Wasserman, Director of Community and School-Based Health Programs at the Rocky Mountain Youth Clinics (RMYC). In Colorado, an estimated 180,000 children lack health insurance.

With Trust support, the RMYC has expanded its services to children through clinics, mobile health care vans that serve rural and metro-area counties, and by establishing and servicing new school-based health centers.

"Not only do these services address children's immediate health needs, but the Rocky Mountain Youth Clinics' comprehensive approach to care includes helping families enroll in public insurance programs, and referrals for specialty or restorative oral care," said Wasserman.

In August, RMYC opened a new school-based health center at Crawford Elementary School in Aurora. To help meet the health needs of the city's increasing population of low-income families, the RMYC Dental Care mobile van and school-based health center at Crawford offers easily accessible and affordable health services in a comfortable, familiar setting.

"Many of the children we see have special needs or chronic health conditions, such as asthma," Wasserman said. "Few have had a regular source of medical care, and most are behind on their recommended immunizations. Of the children we see for oral health services, over 70% of them have never been to a dentist."

The health center at Crawford Elementary also serves nine other Aurora elementary schools - including St. Therese, a parochial grade school. Through a partnership with Metro Organizations for People and KidzBlitz - a program of the Colorado Coalition for the Medically Underserved - the RMYC has further improved access to care by bringing its Medical Care Mobile Van to St. Therese Church on select Sundays.

Services for uninsured children on the care mobiles are $10 per visit and include well-child examinations, routine lab tests, immunizations, care for minor acute illnesses, oral health screenings, teeth cleanings, x-rays, sealants and fluoride treatments.

For more information, contact Deidre Johnson, Program Officer, 303-837-1200, deidre@coloradotrust.org.