Small News/Politics Graphic Seattle Homeless Youth Clinic Integrates Alternative Medicine
From Natural Healthline by Peter Barry Chowka


In another sign of the growing acceptance of complementary alternative medicine (CAM) into previously mainstream medical settings, a feature article titled "Homeless Youth Receive Free Acupuncture & Naturopathic Care" in the Los Angeles Times on August 26 reported that "the first free clinic of its kind in the nation -- the 45th St. Clinic's Homeless Youth Clinic (HYC) -- has added acupuncture and naturopathic care to the wide array of services it already provides free of charge to Seattle's homeless and street-involved youth, making it the first free integrated drop-in care clinic of its kind in the country."

The story quoted Paul Barry, HYC Coordinator, as saying, "Many of the youth we serve are mistrustful of institutions and have alternative lifestyles. We respect this, and wanted to offer them choices." The clinic is able to make the complementary alternative medical services available through new collaborative agreements with Bastyr University, an accredited institution that offers degrees in naturopathic medicine and other CAM fields, and the Northwest Institute of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NIOAM). Bastyr University places naturopathic students and physicians (NDs) at the HYC, while NIAOM places acupuncturists at the facility. According to an article on HYC by Business Wire, "All clinicians work with allopathic providers to offer individual youth the most appropriate course of care in what is currently the nation's first free interdisciplinary drop-in health clinic."

Barry commented that, "Bastyr University and NIOAM have been great collaborators in helping us serve this unique group of young people. They bring a wealth of experience in natural health care services to our program." During a recent year, the number of patients served by the HYC increased 70 percent. Barry said he does not foresee a decline in the number of homeless youth eager to access the new models of care that are now being provided .

The HYC offers help to young people between the ages of 12-25 who are homeless, street-involved, or at risk for homelessness. Services include primary medical care, mental health counseling, HIV testing and counseling, STD testing and treatment, substance abuse counseling, and other services -- all on a no-cost, non-judgmental, drop-in basis. The HYC is open two nights a week at the 45th St. Clinic's main facility in Seattle's Wallingford neighborhood.

"The HYC provides health care in a safe and affirming setting, and the relationships we form with [the patients] as part of the healing process can free them up to focus on getting other aspects of their lives together," Barry noted.

For more information,
Tom Welsh 45th St. Clinic (206) 548-0431
Bastyr University : http://www.bastyr.edu


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