Teens Linked to Care (TLC) is a multi-year effort designed to develop, assess and implement strategies for preventing substance use and reducing sexual risk among young people in rural communities. A successful pilot program included schools in Austin, Indiana and Campbell County, Kentucky, and now the program is expanding to other areas.
TLC focuses on three connected strategies:
- Health Education: This type of instruction provides young people with the knowledge and skills necessary to make informed decisions about their health and wellbeing, so they can develop into successful learners and healthy adults.
- Access to Health Services: School-based referral programs can connect students to youth-friendly community healthcare providers and help increase the use of reproductive health services.
- Safe and Supportive Environments: By creating social cohesion and connection, safe and supportive school and community environments contribute to improved educational and health outcomes for students, reducing the chances of students engaging in substance use and other risky behaviors.
The program focuses on youth ages 13–19, but also involves parents and caregivers, health service staff, school nurses, teachers, school staff and other community members.
A leader who participated in the Kentucky TLC project writes:
The successful part of TLC throughout the program has been seeing the impact it has had on the youth and how it had inspired them to advocate for themselves and others. ... Overall, the success of the program can be seen through the many partners we have created and continue to work with, as well as the growth youth have experienced throughout this program.
