Healthcare Resources


Recommendations for Health Workers on Identifying and Serving Runaway Youth

A February 2020 Pediatrics article addresses how health care professionals can identify and care for youth who run away. Research suggests that 1 in 20 youth run away from home each year, putting them at high risk for trauma, victimization, mental health problems, substance use, pregnancy, and STIs. The article includes a thorough review of literature on numbers and demographics of youth who run away; circumstances that increase the likelihood of running away; and the unique health needs of runaway youth.

Read the full article here: https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/145/2/e20193752

 

Training Videos: Improving Health Care Accessibility

The Adolescent Health Initiative’s online resource section includes free training videos focused on improving young people’s experiences of health care. The short videos feature the voices and experiences of providers, parents, and adolescents, including survivors of sex trafficking and gender non-conforming youth; they offer tips for making settings youth-friendly and empowering young people to take leadership in decisions affecting their own health.

Watch the videos here: http://www.umhs-adolescenthealth.org/improving-care/videos/

 

Free Training Series from Adolescent Health Initiative

This series of mini, online “SPARK” trainings from Adolescent Health Initiative at University of Michigan covers topics such as creating an adolescent-friendly environment; supporting trafficked youth; building cultural competence; and understanding nonverbal communication—all topics relevant to providers serving RHY. Each free training includes presentation slides, a facilitator script and supporting materials that can be used for staff orientation or ongoing professional development.

Access free SPARK trainings here: http://www.umhs-adolescenthealth.org/improving-care/spark-trainings/

 

ACA Resource: Healthcare for Homeless and At-Risk Youth

A resource released on April 12, 2016 by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE), "Healthcare for Homeless and At-Risk Youth" provides information about the access to quality and affordable health care, including health coverage under the ACA. Homeless and at-risk youth are likely to be eligible for health care coverage under the ACA, which vastly simplifies and expands access to affordable health care, including for low-income and homeless youth, and allows states to expand eligibility for Medicaid, a health care program for low-income individuals. 

Learn more and access the resource here: 
https://yoc.memberclicks.net/assets/docs/Resources/resources%20-%20homeless%20healthcare.pdf