“Holistic Families, Well Communities”
CALL US: (813) 276-5671
Health Initiatives
Back-2-School Health Clinics
Back-to-School Coalition of Hillsborough County is administered by Project LINK, Inc. Through our strategic partnerships with healthcare providers and medical professionals, we continuously develop new strategies and systems that have a significant impact on the families we serve.
We are proud of the wealth of guidance and support from all our local medical and university leaders, as well as our corporate partners who facilitate financial, personnel, and medical equipment resources, so we can concentrate on providing high quality care, cost effective services, population health, and on-time enrollment for students enrolling in Hillsborough County Public Schools.
This program is intended to provide access to health care for children who are uninsured, underinsured, or have lost their health coverage since moving to Hillsborough County.
The clinics provide services to students entering kindergarten through high school. Students are provided with medical services such as immunizations, school physicals, and shot records updates, all of which are required for them to enroll in Hillsborough County Public Schools.
The School Readiness Initiative aims to enhance parental involvement and community involvement among economically disadvantaged families.
Once a month, the leadership of each partner agency meets to develop a collaborative approach to acquiring sponsorships, securing facilities, and coordinating medical assistance.
As part of these clinics, families typically have the opportunity to meet with school administrators, community support agencies, and corporate representatives from sponsoring companies.
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Considering the post-pandemic Coronavirus COVID-19, we are continuing to take preventative measures to reduce its spread.
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To protect the health of our patients and staff, we are limiting the number of immunizations and physicals we provide, and restricting the attendance of only one parent or guardian to accompany the child(ren).
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Children aged 5-17 will have access to the COVID-19 vaccine.
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To receive an appointment at one of the back-to-school clinics. Parents must register at www.back2schoolhealthclinic.org
No Cost Counseling Sessions
In the wake of the outbreak of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), we have observed a crisis that has a significant impact on low wage workers throughout the Tampa Bay region.
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COVID-19 has revealed many vulnerabilities, but the risk to the hourly workforce has been most apparent. Experts and federal agencies warn that depression, substance abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder, and suicide are on the rise.
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As a solution to this problem, Project LINK developed a telehealth program titled 'eMergU' Telehealth to combat it in the Tampa Bay area.
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eMergU Telehealth is an online teletherapy platform that can be accessed via smartphone, tablet, or desktop and provides no-cost mental healthcare services to Tampa Bay area workers and their families.
eMergU Telehealth provides HIPAA-compliant video sessions, voice calls, live chats, and messages.
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The purpose of this program is to provide assistance to residents of Hillsborough and Pinellas counties who may be experiencing stressors, substance abuse, suicidal thoughts, and other difficulties related to COVID 19.
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In the case of individuals seeking counseling, they may visit www.emergu.org, complete a brief assessment, and will be assigned a licensed counselor within 24 hours who will help them set goals and work through their mental health and life challenges.
There is no charge for the first three sessions offered to patients.
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It is possible for individuals to continue with their counselor at their own expense after completing three sessions.​
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For more information, go to www.emergu.org
No Cost Counseling available to:
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Teens
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Adults
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Couples
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Family Group
All you need is a cell phone, laptop, or desktop computer with internet access to chat via video, audio, and messaging to receive your virtual sessions.
Virtual mental health teletherapy sessions are provided by independent Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC), Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT), Psychologists, and/or Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHC).
To learn more about eMergU and to register for NO COST counseling, please click here.
Healthy Students Make Smarter Students
Healthy Students Make Smarter Students is Project LINK's initiative designed to provide education and skill practice on how to resist foods high in calories and carbs, low in nutrients, while incorporating physical activity into daily life.
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In order to encourage healthy eating habits among children and their families, the program introduces them to healthy food products provided by partner corporations.
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As part of the program, parents also receive information regarding healthcare options available to meet the medical needs of their families.
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In recent years, the problem of childhood obesity has grown considerably in the United States.
Obesity is among the easiest medical conditions to recognize, but one of the most challenging to treat. Every year, more than 300,000 deaths are attributed to unhealthy weight gain as a result of poor diet and lack of exercise.
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Obesity is estimated to cost society nearly $100 billion annually. Children who are overweight are much more likely to become overweight adults if they do not adopt and maintain healthy eating and exercise habits.
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The aim of our program is to educate students so that they will be able to practice their new skills outside of school hours.