Name of League:  The Junior League of Houston

Issue Area(s):  Child Welfare; Health & Nutrition

Metric of Success (if quantifiable/available):  At least 4,800 children served annually; more than a decade in operation; at least 19,000 visits

Overview

To mark its 75^th anniversary in 2000, The Junior League of Houston introduced the SuperKids Pediatric Mobile Clinic, a collaborative effort by Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, the Houston Independent School District, The City of Houston, and the Harris County Hospital District. A gift from the League to its community, the clinic has been a tremendously successful initiative that provides well-child exams, healthcare, and immunizations to the community's underserved pediatric populations. 

Community partners

-          Texas Children’s Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine

-          Houston Independent School District

-          City of Houston

-          Harris County Hospital District

How it works

Funded by an initial endowment of $1 million from the League, this clinic is a not-for-profit, school-based initiative that provides basic pediatric care to students and their siblings (up to age 18) at five H.I.S.D. elementary schools and seven feeder schools in the Gulfton area. The clinic is staffed with a pediatrician, nurse, and social worker from Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, and volunteers from the League. This staff works together to facilitate students' visits to the clinic, provide height, weight and temperature readings, prepare exam rooms for patients, answer phones and schedule appointments. Volunteers also teach health, nutrition and dental hygiene to fourth and fifth graders at the "SuperKids" schools through a Healthy Kids Nutrition Curriculum. 

While a small fee is required for services in the clinic, no child is denied care because of his/her inability to pay. In addition, the clinic provides assistance in obtaining medical insurance for children, with the ultimate goal to find a permanent medical home for every child served. 

What’s the impact?

The clinic has been in operation for more than 12 years, and serves approximately 4,800 children annually.