Local community medical providers and school health care providers are essential in helping youth access confidential medical services.
Health care providers can help assist young people to make healthy decisions regarding their bodies. It can be intimidating for young people to access care on their own, but medical staff can help youth feel comfortable and confident to proactively take care of their reproductive health needs.
Youth Friendly Clinics
In order for youth to access care at a clinic or medical facility, it is very important to ensure that your clinic is youth friendly. Having staff knowledgeable in Minor Consent and Family Pact funding is crucial as young people may not have the ability to pay for services. Get more information on how to ensure your clinic and staff are youth friendly .
Reproductive Health Education in Schools
In January of 2016, the California Department of Education passed AB 329, the California Healthy Youth Act, mandating that all students enrolled in public schools shall receive comprehensive reproductive education once in middle school and once in high school. All education must be free from bias and be available for all students. Students are also mandated to be informed of their rights to access confidential reproductive services under Minor Consent laws.
Family Pact Program
The Office of Family Planning was charged “to make available to citizens of the State who are of childbearing age comprehensive medical knowledge, assistance, and services relating to the planning of families”. The Family Planning, Access, Care and Treatment (Family PACT) program provides comprehensive family planning services to low income individuals and families. Teens are covered under this program. Find local Family PACT providers.
STI Testing for Youth
Routine screening for sexually transmitted infections of youth is recommended by the California STD Control branch. Establishing a sexual history of a youth can help health providers determine risk factors, opportunities to educate youth on reproductive health and identify possible victims of sexual assault or trafficking. The STD Control branch released “A Clinicians Guide To Sexual History Taking” for health care providers to create relationships with youth to collect information vital to providing sexual health awareness.
Information on STI Testing: A Clinicians Guide to Sexual History Taking (PDF)
