Unhealthy behaviors are the prime cause of adolescent morbidity and mortality. Today’s adolescents are involved at an earlier age in risky behaviors that may jeopardize their immediate and long-term health. These behaviors are often multidimensional. Prevention efforts should go beyond risk identification and also reinforce protective factors and strengths in the individual and social environment. An urban university and a state department of health embarked collaboratively upon a unique opportunity to positively impact the delivery of health services for adolescents. The Comprehensive Adolescent Preventive Services (CAPS ) Project was initiated through grassroots-driven concerns that had arisen among the disciplinary health professionals. Through community-based assessments they identified a need to enhance their knowledge, attitudes, practices, and intentions regarding comprehensive health services for adolescents. The project emerged into an interactive training program supported by a logic model, youth development infrastructure, and web-based technology. The specific focus of the training program addresses the creative planning process used to develop the ideal teen program, marketing services to teens (recruitment and retention), the inclusion of comprehensive adolescent health services, and resource and collaborative development. Aspects of the assessment indicators, youth development infrastructure, engagement of graduate students as consultants, the training program implementation, and evaluation will be discussed. Also, the logic model and evaluation data of participant knowledge, attitudes, practices, and intentions (KAPI) regarding the delivery of comprehensive adolescent health services will be shared.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to: 1. List five major issues that impact the delivery of comprehensive health services to adolescents. 2. Articulate the steps of the creating process as it applies to developing the ideal adolescent health program. 3. List 10 key assessment indicators that address the effectiveness of adolescent health programs. 4. List 5 strategies to promote successful comprehensive adolescent preventive health programs
Keywords: Adolescent Health, Professional Training
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Georgia State University School of Nursing
Department of Human Resources, Public Health Services, State of Georgia
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.