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Cameron Miller – Adolescent Appreciation Month

November 3, 2025

Adolescent Appreciation Month – Cameron Miller

Cameron Miller | Senior – East Mecklenburg High School

My name is Cameron Miller. I’m currently a senior at East Mecklenburg High School, and I’ve been a member of the Teen Advisory Board (TAB) going on four years now. This program has allowed me to find my inner voice and gain my self-confidence. Teen Health Connection is super important for teens because their services are geared specifically towards teens, meaning they know how to get proper help and resources to any teen.

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Adolescent Appreciation Month

Maya Tolani – Adolescent Appreciation Month

November 2, 2025

Adolescent Appreciation Month – Maya Tolani

Maya Tolani | Senior – Parkwood High School

My name is Maya Tolani and I am a senior at Parkwood High School. I am a member of the Teen Advisory Board and have been since September of 2025.
My participation as a teenager in TAB has benefited me by learning about the different struggles and adolescent health issues that are relevant in the world now. I’ve been able to spread what I’ve learned about these topics outside of TAB and into my school community.
Teen Health Connection is helping make a difference with the care and services that are provided in helping teens grow into healthy, resilient adults.

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Adolescent Appreciation Month

Alana Curry – Adolescent Appreciation Month

November 1, 2025

Adolescent Appreciation Month – Alana Curry

Alana Mykel Curry | Hopewell High School

Alana Curry (right) and her friend Alyssa Hamm are students at UNC Charlotte. They both participated in Teen Health Connection’s Leadership Summits and are still using skills they learned to be successful in college.

Years You Were Involved with Teen Health Connection? 

2023 – 2024

School Attending Now? 

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

What is your major? 

I am currently majoring in Pre-Professional Exercise Science

What are your future plans?

I am currently on track to Physical Therapy School to be a Pediatric Physical Therapist, but I am also exploring careers in social work.

What Teen Health Connection programs and services did you participate in?

My first introduction to Teen Health Connection was through a mentor who invited several of her mentees to the Teen Leadership Summit in 2023. I attended the Summit a bit nervous because there were so many people I didn’t know and a program I was unfamiliar with. I quickly bonded with some of the older and younger leaders and began to truly enjoy my time. By the end of the Summit, I didn’t want to leave. I’ll cherish the memories I made there every day. After the Summit, I engaged with the Teen Advisory Board, attending weekly meetings and engaging with the members. I learned many skills such as emotional regulation, substance abuse awareness, and recognizing the many signs of prominent issues teens are facing. 

How did Teen Health Connection help you?

Teen Health Connection allowed me to get to know people from the surrounding communities and recognize that I am not alone in some of the ways I feel and the things we as youth go through each day. I was also able to meet and connect with mentors and adult staff who provide perspective and can help you navigate challenges and provide resources that may not be accessible to teens on their own. I have been able to share the resources Teen Health Connection provides with friends and peers. Lastly, I have been able to network and make connections that will benefit me throughout my college and adult life and career. 

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Adolescent Appreciation Month

A Look Inside Teen Health Connection – Building Stronger Families Through Parent Education and Community Partnership

November 1, 2025

A Look Inside Teen Health Connection –
Building Stronger Families Through Parent Education and Community Partnership

At Teen Health Connection, we believe that helping teens thrive really begins at home with their parents and caregivers. Our Health Education team works alongside parents of teens and adolescents to strengthen relationships, build communication, and set consistent boundaries—all key elements when supporting adolescents through change and challenge. They do this through workshops and training sessions and establishing a presence in the community while sharing information. Get to know Kris N. Hawkins, our parent education coordinator and Kenyatta “Dr. Ken” O’Bryant, Ph.D., manager of health education and community outreach.

Meet Kris N. Hawkins, our Parent Education Coordinator, who has been with Teen Health Connection for six years. Kris coaches parents of teens and young children using evidence-based practices. Her work focuses on 45-minute to 1-hour trainings that teach parents how to establish healthy relationships and provide strategies on how to communicate with their  children calmly and respectfully.  “I came to Teen Health Connection when my oldest was 17 and found the resources I needed. I consider it a privilege to be able to do that for others today,” she shares. 

Using the active parenting of teens approach, Kris demonstrates the benefits of adopting authoritative parenting principles, which encourage parents to show up for their teen in a loving, respectful way and provide consistent boundaries. It is an evidence-based approach that shows that teens parented this way are less likely to struggle with anxiety, depression, or academic problems.

Kris hosts workshops throughout the city and county, often partnering with local organizations to reach a broader audience. She also provides support to families in transitional housing through strategic relationships with Families Forward and Charlotte Family Housing. While she may not work directly with families experiencing housing insecurity or homelessness, she knows that her efforts provide some support in a highly stressful situation and offers access to helpful resources. “My role is to empower parents, focus on their strengths, and help them feel seen by designing sessions that are flexible and accessible. Once you’ve found us, you have a resource for life,” Kris says.  

“My goal is for parents to feel more confident after they attend a training and to recognize they are not alone. “I always try to stress to parents that I will always be a resource for them. They have all my contact information. They don’t feel like I am on a pedestal. I share my parenting struggles with them and they feel as though I’m in the trenches just like them,” she shared. “Yes, I’m an expert on the parenting material, but there is no “parenting expert or perfect parent,” she concludes.

Kris N. Hawkins, Parent Education Coordinator

Another element of the health education team is community outreach, and that’s where Dr. Kenyatta O’Bryant comes in. “Dr. Ken,” recently joined the team, having previously served as the Deputy Director of Homeless Services for the city of Baltimore, Maryland. In that role he oversaw programs for youth ages 14 to 25 who faced housing insecurity and behavioral health challenges.

Now, at Teen Health Connection, Dr. Ken and his team collaborate with local hospitals, schools, and nonprofit partners to empower and inform parents about the organization’s behavioral health services. “We are the backbone of Teen Health Connection when it comes to adolescent and behavioral health,” Dr. O’Bryant explains. “As health educators, our job is to engage the community—internally and externally—and provide people with the information and resources they need to make informed decisions based on what’s available to them.”

Dr. Ken ensures that he educates parents through a health equity lens to ensure that information is accessible to all. “Our goal is to give people information and resources to make informed decisions,” he shares.

The mission of the community outreach team is to be a holistic resource for families of teens. “We educate the community not only about adolescent and behavioral health but also about the totality of wellness—chronic disease, mental health, prevention, and overall well-being. Our role is to help people live healthier lives and understand what good health really means,” Dr. Ken concludes.

Kenyatta S. O’Bryant, Ph.D., Manager of Health Education and Community Outreach

Another key member of the Health Education team is Madi Davis, health educator and teens program coordinator. Next month’s newsletter will feature more about Madi’s work with our teens through the Teen Advisory Board, Teen Leadership Summits, our Johnston Ziegler Safrit Youth Leadership scholarship and more.

Madi Davis, health educator and teens program coordinator

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Starting the Conversation on Teen Homelessness Awareness with Teen Health Connection

November 1, 2025

Starting the Conversation on Teen Homelessness Awareness with Teen Health Connection

Often, when we think of homelessness, we picture someone living on the streets or in a shelter with other unhoused individuals. However, for teens and adolescents, housing insecurity can look different.

This month, our health education topic is Teen Homelessness Awareness and Prevention, and we want to help you recognize the signs if you encounter a young person who may be experiencing housing insecurity. According to our community partner Families Forward, approximately 45,000 children are experiencing poverty right here in Charlotte. In the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Housing and Homelessness dashboard, the article on The Rising Challenge of Student Homelessness states that during the 2024-2025 school year, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) identified a total of 5,680 students experiencing homeless, an 18% increase from the 4,815 students identified during the 2023–2024 school year.

This increase isn’t just a statistic; it reflects the rising housing instability impacting families with minor children across our community. Research shows that poverty is a major contributor to youth homelessness, which means there is a high probability that someone in your sphere of influence may be at risk of not having consistent shelter. Many young people experiencing homelessness aren’t on the streets — they’re moving from one friend’s or relative’s home to another, unsure where they’ll sleep next. For some, age restrictions prevent them from staying in shelters with their parents or guardians. For others, family conflict or lack of support leaves them without a stable place to call home.

A Closer Look at Who’s Affected

Certain groups face even greater barriers. LGBTQ+ teens often experience rejection and have fewer safe spaces to turn to, while teens with children and youth aging out of foster care are at particularly high risk. At that age, the stigma surrounding homelessness can make it hard for teens to ask for help, but here’s what you need to know. This issue is closer than we think and the degrees of separation between stability and homelessness have never been smaller.

A Local Perspective

Given Charlotte’s record as 38th nationwide for economic mobility and knowing that access to affordable housing is a major lever in this process, homelessness can trap multiple generations in financial insecurity if not addressed. Poverty isn’t new in our community — and that’s part of the challenge. Without collective awareness and action, the problem persists.

To help raise awareness about this growing problem, Mecklenburg County has launched a 100-Day Challenge to Prevent Youth Homelessness. Visit the website to learn more.  

Here at Teen Health Connection, we work holistically to prepare teens for life’s challenges and connect them to essential community partners such as Charlotte Family Housing and Families Forward, both of which are saving families from homelessness every day. This November, we encourage parents, caregivers, and community members to recognize the signs, build empathy, and share this message. This newsletter is filled with information and suggestions on how you can help make a difference.

Together, we can raise awareness and help more teens find safety, stability, and hope.

Resources for Teens & Families

  • Teen Health Connection Triage Team: Connects families to community-based services and resources, as well as resources available directly through Teen Health Connection.
    TeenHealthConnection@TeenHealthConnection.org or call (704) 381-8336.
  • Charlotte Family Housing: Provides housing and support for working families experiencing homelessness.
    charlottefamilyhousing.org
  • Families Forward Charlotte: Helps families overcome poverty through mentoring, resources, and connection.
    familiesforwardcharlotte.org
  • The Relatives – On Ramp Resource Center: Offers a drop-in resource center for any young adult 16-24 years old who may need help making the successful evolution from youth to being an independent adult. Helps teens find employment and education, and housing opportunities. therelatives.org/our-programs/on-ramp-resource-center/
  • National Runaway Safeline: 1-800-RUNAWAY – 24/7 confidential support for youth and families in crisis.

Remember, help is just a phone call or email away. Contact a member of our team at: TeenHealthConnection@TeenHealthConnection.org or call (704) 381-8336.

Teen Health Connection has placed billboards and electronic signs like the one above throughout Mecklenburg County highlighting our behavioral health services.

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News Around Town: Jennifer Thomas named executive director of Teen Health Connection

October 29, 2025

News Around Town: Jennifer Thomas named executive director of Teen Health Connection

We’re excited to welcome Dr. Jennifer Thomas to the Teen Health Connection family! Her recent recognition in local media reflects her passion for improving adolescent health and her leadership in the Charlotte community. Learn more about Dr. Thomas and her work in the articles below.

https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/potmsearch/detail/submission/6565138/Dr_Jennifer_Thomas

 

WCNC TV Features New Executive Director, Dr. Jennifer Thomas

https://www.wcnc.com/video/news/local/teen-health-connection-enters-new-era/275-f25955b8-8d2c-46a3-9b25-1bc42c555c8c

 

 

Jennifer Thomas named executive director of Teen Health Connection

 

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Message From Foundation For The Carolinas Institute For Philanthropic Leadership

October 21, 2025

MESSAGE FROM FOUNDATION FOR THE CAROLINAS INSTITUTE FOR PHILANTHROPIC LEADERSHIP:

Michael Marsicano Award for Philanthropic Leadership recipient: Libby Safrit

On October 14, 2025, IPL Awards Luncheon was a powerful reminder of what inspired, mission-driven leadership looks like.

We were proud to recognize this year’s Michael Marsicano Award for Philanthropic Leadership recipients: Libby Safrit, Executive Director of Teen Health Connection, and Stephanie Stenglein, CFRE, Associate Executive Director of Arts+.  Both have transformed their organizations through integrity, innovation, and impact.

Our Board Chair, Jim Kelley, shared powerful reflections on IPL’s mission and growth. Through Leadership Gift School (275 leaders from 109 organizations) and Emerging Leaders in Philanthropy (171 participants from 92 nonprofits), IPL continues to strengthen the leadership pipeline across the Carolinas. Jim also celebrated our partnership with the United Way of Greater Charlotte, whose Unite Charlotte cohort helped make this fall’s ELP our largest yet.

We were equally inspired by Michael Marsicano, who expressed his pride in the award that bears his name and gratitude to those who’ve contributed to its growing endowment – now at $370,000 and moving toward a $500,000 goal. He reminded us that nonprofit leaders are, in many ways, an extension of our democracy, helping ensure every community thrives through service, generosity, and leadership.

Deep gratitude to our event hosts:  Amy Tribble and The Mint Museum Uptown, and Bonita Buford and the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture, Jim Kelley and The Catholic Diocese of Charlotte, Shannon Williams and Armstrong McGuire & Associates, and Michelle Hamilton, CFRE at Carter, Advancing Philanthropy Worldwide, and to our table hosts whose partnership made this celebration possible.

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Dr. Jennifer Thomas Named New Executive Director of Teen Health Connection

October 15, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Dr. Jennifer Thomas Named New Executive Director of Teen Health Connection
Thomas Steps into the Role as Fourth Leader of the 33-Year-Old Organization

 

CHARLOTTE, NC – October 16, 2025 – Teen Health Connection, the leading provider of integrated medical and behavioral health services for adolescents and young adults in the Charlotte region, announced today the selection of Dr. Jennifer Thomas as the new Executive Director.

Dr. Thomas brings more than 15 years of experience as a behavioral health care leader and licensed psychologist focusing on adolescents and their families. Currently, Thomas serves as the Chief Psychologist with Teen Health Connection. In her current role, Thomas and her team provide behavioral health triage, assessments for youth involved with child welfare, and social work services for teens receiving specialized medical care. Thomas began her work at Teen Health Connection in 2012 when she was hired as the first full-time psychologist on the Assessment Services Team, including the Independent Psychological Assessments. Since that time, she has provided leadership and guidance resulting in tremendous growth and expansion of the work of Teen Health Connection, particularly through partnerships with Mecklenburg County and other organizations in the community. Her extensive history of leadership and innovation is known throughout the community through her strategic community partnerships and collaborations.

Thomas’ promotion comes as Teen Health Connection prepares for the retirement of current Executive Director Libby Safrit, who joined the organization in 1998. Safrit began as the first behavioral health clinician and was named Executive Director in 2009. Safrit has been a leader and advocate for integrated physical and behavioral healthcare for adolescents, and her name is truly synonymous with Teen Health Connection.

“I could not be more confident in Dr. Thomas’s ability to lead Teen Health Connection into its next chapter,” said Safrit. “Her heart for this work, her expertise, and her unwavering dedication will continue to elevate our organization locally and nationally. As I pass the torch, I do so knowing that Teen Health Connection is in the most capable hands.”

Thomas clearly understands the future for Teen Health Connection and has a vision for how to serve teens and their families. “Teen Health Connection provides a safe space for all adolescents to receive the medical and behavioral health services they need,” Thomas explained. “I’m incredibly excited to enter this new role as Executive Director as we continue to grow our impact on the lives of teens in our community and take Teen Health Connection to the next level in integrated health care.”

“I look forward to working alongside a fabulous team of health experts who care tremendously about supporting the unique strengths and needs of teens and their families as they journey through the joys and challenges of adolescence,” said Thomas. “Teen Health Connection is needed now more than ever.”

Thomas received her Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She completed her Predoctoral Psychology internship in Clinical Child Psychology with an emphasis on child trauma at the Duke University Medical Center. She also has a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, both from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

In addition to her work at Teen Health Connection, she has held positions in a variety of settings including community-based behavioral health agencies, a managed care organization, and within a university setting. Thomas has served on many community workgroups and committees including the Mecklenburg County Child Fatality Prevention and Protection Team and currently holds a position on the leadership team with the Children’s Alliance of Mecklenburg County.

Thomas will begin as Executive Director with Teen Health Connection on December 1, 2025.

ABOUT TEEN HEALTH CONNECTION

Teen Health Connection is the leading provider of integrated medical and behavioral health services for adolescents and young adults ages 11 through 25 in the Charlotte region. Through an exclusive community collaboration with Atrium Health, Teen Health Connection’s team of experts are positioned to meet the unique needs of adolescents and their families. Teen Health Connection’s team is comprised of medical providers and nurses, psychologists, behavioral health therapists and triage clinicians, community health educators, parent educators, and a research and evaluation team. Teen Health Connection’s mission is to improve the health of adolescents by providing physical and behavioral services, advocacy, education, leadership development, and research through connections among adolescents, parents, and the community. For more information, visit www.TeenHealthConnection.org

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Worried about your Teen and Suicide?

September 3, 2025

Worried about your Teen and Suicide?

Schedule an appointment at Teen Health Connection today.

Primary care physicians, more than any other healthcare professional, are most likely to see a patient before a suicide attempt. At Teen Health Connection, we know the pivotal role we can play in our patients’ lives by asking the right questions.

Our integrated care model delivers developmentally specialized adolescent medicine, behavioral health care, and health education, and provides a “one-stop shop” for a teen’s health care needs. Our providers and staff are trained in trauma-informed care.  We conduct universal screening for depression, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), substance use. Why do we screen for these? 

The results of the CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey revealed startling results on ACEs and suicide.

  • Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are common, with about three in four students (76.1%) experiencing 1+ ACEs and approximately one in five students (18.5%) experiencing 4+ ACEs.
  • Students with more ACEs were significantly more likely to engage in risky behaviors. The strongest associations were observed between experiencing 4+ ACEs and attempted suicide, seriously considered attempting suicide, and current prescription opioid misuse.

Learn more about what the 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey reveals about ACEs and suicide risk among high school students in the United States:

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/su/su7304a5.htm

What is done at Teen Health Connection to ask about suicide?

Teen Health Connection’s providers are trained in having conversations about suicide and have validated ways to ask questions. The best way to identify suicide risk in clinical settings is to ask the patient directly and listen to their answer. When asking about suicide, we use a validated screening tool, and provider flexibility allows for our team to truly listen to teens when they respond. Behavioral health triage clinicians work alongside our medical team to provide immediate assessment, intervention, and referrals to care as needed. Our on-site team of eleven behavioral health clinicians can provide ongoing trauma-informed care and therapy.

All patients age 12 and older who are medically and developmentally able to answer questions should be screened. Screening for depression is not sufficient to identify suicide risk, nor is asking only patients who report depression or other behavioral health concerns. Universal patient screening is a comprehensive strategy that promotes early detection and helps patients feel less alone with suicidal thoughts.

If my child reports suicidal thoughts, will they be hospitalized?

Not all young people who say they have thought about suicide should be sent for an emergency mental health evaluation. Your pediatrician will use information gathered from the Brief Suicide Safety Assessment (BSSA) to identify the next steps of care that appropriately match the level of suicide risk.

Teen Health Connection’s providers discuss their concerns with the teen and their parents using trauma-informed care principles and take the necessary steps to maintain the safety of the patient. Teen Health Connection is affiliated with and in close proximity to local emergency departments with behavioral health specialization and can make immediate connections to care as needed. We also have eleven trauma-informed behavioral health therapists on site to provide ongoing individual and family-based treatment.

RESOURCES FOR TEENS

▶ Teen Link Help Line Call 1(866) TEENLINK (833-6546)
Teen Link is a confidential, anonymous, and non-judgmental telephone help line answered by teens each evening from 6-10 PM. Teen volunteers are trained to listen to your concerns and to talk with you about whatever is on your mind. No issue is too big or too small.

▶ Teen Link Chat Visit 866TEENLINK.org
Teen Link offers Teen Link Chat, available through their website at www.866TEENLINK.org. Much like the line, teens can use Teen Link Chat to seek support from our teen volunteers on a variety of issues, including: bullying, drug and alcohol concerns, relationships, stress, and other teen issues. Teen Link accepts chats from 6-9:30 PM every day of the week. Teen Link Chat does not work well on cell phones, so we ask that you log on with a computer to chat.

▶ Crisis Text Line Text HOME to 741741
Crisis Text Line serves anyone, in any type of crisis (doesn’t just mean suicide, it’s any painful emotion for which you need support) providing access to free, 24/7 support and information via a medium people already use and trust: text. A live, trained Crisis Counselor receives the text and responds, all from their secure online platform. The goal of any conversation is to get you to a calm, safe place.

▶ The Trevor Project Call 1-866-488-7386
The leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people under 25. Text and online chat are also available at www.thetrevorproject.org.

RESOURCES FOR CAREGIVERS

▶ Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Call 9-8-8 A national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

▶ American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Visit afsp.org A voluntary health organization that gives those affected by suicide a nationwide community empowered by research, education, and advocacy to take action against this leading cause of death

▶ Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Call 9-8-8 A national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

▶ American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Visit afsp.org A voluntary health organization that gives those affected by suicide a nationwide community empowered by research, education, and advocacy to take action against this leading cause of death

RESOURCES FOR PROFESSIONALS

▶American Academy of Pediatrics Blueprint for Youth Suicide Prevention
https://www.aap.org/en/patient-care/blueprint-for-youth-suicide-prevention

▶US DHHS National Strategy for Suicide Prevention
https://www.hhs.gov/programs/prevention-and-wellness/mental-health-substance-use-disorder/national-strategy-suicide-prevention/index.html

▶SAMHSA Suicide Prevention Toolkits
https://www.samhsa.gov/about/digital-toolkits/suicide-prevention-month/toolkit

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