Commending the Work of the County of San Mateo's Blue Ribbon Task Force on Adult Health Coverage Expansion

Commending the Work of the County of San Mateo's Blue Ribbon Task Force on Adult Health Coverage Expansion

HON. JACKIE SPEIER

OF CALIFORNIA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 27, 2010 Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the 20th anniversary of the Daly City Youth Health Center, a health and youth development program linked to the Jefferson Union High School District. Since its inception this facility has served over 37,000 youth and currently provides services to more than 600 teens each month. Clearly, we are a better community because of the dedication, caring and expertise of the center's staff. The center, a satellite office of the San Mateo Medical Center, offers primary medical care, reproductive health care, mental health counseling, sexuality education, case management of pregnant teens, vocational guidance and life skills training. This center has been highly effective in helping girls and boys from low-income backgrounds where individual needs require a multi-service response. I would like to point out that over 5,000 teens seek medical services from the clinic during the year and that most of the care revolves around reproductive health. These services are free although staff will work with these young people in terms of helping them apply for health insurance. The center has been hailed for its development of programs covering mental health counseling, teen pregnancy prevention, peer leadership and the always challenging transition from school to a career. We would all do well to adhere to the center's mission to increase resiliency, encourage responsibility and promote self-determination among youth and young adults. Madam Speaker, while this body has engaged in long and spirited debate on the issue of health care, it is important that we recognize and honor a 20-year-old program that has enriched thousands of young people in my district.