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Boys & Girls Club of Elizabethton/Carter County (BGCECC) is proud to announce its partnership with Ballad Health as part of the Community Health Improvement (CHI) Sites initiative, a collaborative effort designed to address critical health and social challenges in Elizabethton/Carter County. Through this partnership, the Boys & Girls Club is working to grow its Social Emotional Learning (SEL) program to enable all club members to be equipped with tools and skills to assist with social, emotional, and mental health needs.

The investment from Ballad Health enables the Boys & Girls Club of Elizabethton/Carter County to build and improve their SEL program by allowing them to provide more resources to their members, club families, and the community. Throughout fiscal year 2025, the organization has been able to promote and implement its SEL program to its 200 and growing club members.

“At the Boys & Girls Club of Elizabethton/Carter County, we believe in helping young people reach their full potential in becoming responsible and caring citizens,” said Shelly Parham, CEO. “Our partnership with Ballad Health has allowed us to expand our reach and provide critical services to those who need them most. Together, we are building a healthier, more resilient community.”

Through this partnership, BGCECC has been able to provide five different SEL groups, which include: CHIP (Children with Incarcerated Parents), Banana Splits (Children with Divorced/Separated Parents), Social Butterflies (Social Skills), Mighty Minds (Coping Skills & Emotion Regulation), and Smart Girls (Empowering tween & teen girls), along with running one-on-one sessions. BGCECC has also been able to use this partnership to strengthen their staff’s skill set to support their members’ SEL needs. These efforts are part of Ballad Health’s broader mission to improve community health across the region by collaborating with schools, organizations, and local leaders.

“Ballad Health’s CHI Sites initiative underscores our commitment to addressing the social determinants of health that affect families in the Appalachian Highlands,” said Dr. Paula Masters, chief health disparities officer at Ballad Health. “We’re excited to partner with the Boys & Girls Club of Elizabethton/Carter County to create meaningful change and improve lives in our communities.”

Ballad Health’s CHI Sites initiative represents a $3.5 million investment in 48 regional organizations to improve health outcomes and address social determinants of health. By joining this initiative, BGCECC is equipped to make a greater impact in providing their members and club families with the social and emotional support and resources that they need, strengthening our community’s well-being and future. The Boys & Girls Club of Elizabethton/Carter County invites the community to learn more about our programs and how they are improving lives in social-emotional learning practices. For more information, visit www.bgcecc.org or look us up on Facebook!