Health access service now open at Hoggard High School

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — An essential provider of health for students at all times. That is the mission of Wilmington Health Access for Teens, or WHAT, now open at Hoggard High School.

Coastal Horizons and New Hanover County Public Schools introduced the service with a ribbon cutting at the school. Ryan Estes, Treatment Operations Director at Coastal Horizons, says “WHAT” will provide primary, mental and behavioral health in local public school systems.

“I’ve worked hand side with these types of children that don’t receive the care that they need and they struggle through their academic performance,” Estes said.

It is also offering prevention services related to substance use. Estes says this is to help kids with any difficulties, so they can focus on their education.

“They’re going to have the opportunities to succeed. That they’re not going to have to worry about missing classes and potentially impacting their grades. It means that they’re going to be able to receive mental health care, substance use and primary care needs. All these issues that we often times don’t realize are impacting,” Estes said.

But not just any Hoggard student can receive care. Parents must sign consent forms. It’s expected nearly 1000 parents will sign off on their child receiving care.

“This means that they can trust that their kids are getting great care and that they’re not having to worry about impacting their own job,” Estes said.

Hoggard will have a licensed clinical social worker, certified medical assistant and nurse practitioner on site 30 hours per week.