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Adolescent Health Program

Mission

The Adolescent Health program works to promote healthy adolescent development through statewide systems, policies, and initiatives, as well as targeted and integrated interventions to address health risks in high need communities. Build local capacity to support youth development initiatives. The program engages partners, including youth, to focus on medical home model for adolescents, social, emotional, behavioral health supports, and teen pregnancy prevention.

2010 Accomplishments and Milestones

  • Launched the Dare to Dream Student Leadership Conference & Youth Development Initiative for Rhode Island's youth ages 14-21, including an annual conference and ongoing leadership development opportunities.
  • Published Transition Toolkits for adolescents/youth, families, and providers that outline practical steps, milestones, and reasonable timelines for transitions.
  • Tracked teen births by race, ethnicity, and city/town of residence.
  • Decreased the birth rate for teenagers 15-19 years old from 29 births per 1,000 in 2008 to 27 births per 1,000 in 2009.
  • Engaged minority youth in ethnographic research and recommendation setting around adolescent health policy/practice. The results of their efforts were shared widely within HEALTH and with our partners.
  • Worked with Providence Plan to determine the health and educational outcomes of children born to teen mothers.
  • Secured Federal Personal Responsibility Education Program funding for community based youth development efforts to reduce teen pregnancy.
  • Embarked on a statewide strategic planning process for adolescent health.

What We Do

Adolescence is a time of rapid change and growth. It is also a time of opportunities and risks. Extensive research has shown that youth need the attention of caring adults as much during this period as they do in early childhood. Meeting the following developmental needs of youth, will help ensure their success and well being. Adolescents rely on adults to provide for these needs.