Washington Youth Sexual Health Project
The Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board (NPAIHB) and the Washington State Department of Health is a co-coordinated Innovation Network of youth-serving organizations dedicated to improving youth’s access to and experience with sexual health care in I/T/U (Indian Health Service, Tribal and Urban) clinic settings, including sexual health services for 2SLGBTQ teens and young adults.
Summary of Project
WYSH was the Washington Youth Sexual Health project under Project Red Talon at NPAIHB. The project partners with Washington State’s Department of Health (DOH) Youth Sexual Health Innovation Network to helped to improve youth’s access to and experience with sexual health care in I/T/U (Indian Health Service, Tribal and Urban) clinic settings, including sexual health services for 2SLGBTQ teens and young adults.
The Innovation Network included:
- Three Washington State tribal sites
- Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board (NPAIHB)
- Washington Department of Health (DOH)
- Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)
Goals:
- Improve and expand youth-friendly sexual health services.
- Engage in stakeholder engagement with communities and youth and raise awareness of WYSH Network and interventions to support youth sexual health.
- Conduct user-centered development, testing, refinement, and evaluation of innovative youth sexual health care interventions.
- Make a measurable impact on youth access to and experience with sexual health care in Washington State.
Topics:
- Preventive Health Screenings
- STDs/STIs
- Sexual and Reproductive Health Services
- Youth Engagement
- Prevention Interventions
- Adolescent Sexual Health
When The Project Ran
Funded by the Office of Population Affairs at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services “Tier 2 Innovation and Impact Network Grants: Achieving Optimal Health and Preventing Teen Pregnancy in Key Priority Areas.” Key Priority Area: Youth Access to and Experience with Sexual Health Care. FY 2020-2023
Highlights Of The Project
Project Highlights include:
Partnership with Washington State tribal sites
- Assist Washington State tribal sites in designing, implementing, and testing their innovations with the input, and often the leadership, of the youth their programs aim to serve. This youth-centered approach ensures that programs maximize their reach and relevance, are implemented in trauma-informed and culturally appropriate ways, and uplift community strengths in the pursuit of equitable access and affirming, youth-friendly healthcare experiences.
Social Marketing Campaigns
- Loved Here, Safe Here – Materials for tribal clinics and those who engage with Native youth to support and provide an affirming environment for the 2SLGBTQ community.
- Get Yourself Tested (GYT)– The GYT campaign encourages young people to get tested and treated for STDs and HIV to protect their health and the health of their partners.
Distribution of Snag Bags (Free Condoms)
- Packages arrived in a non-descript manila envelope filled with, Sexual Health Resources, latex external and internal condoms, lubricant pack, towelette, and mints.
-
Resources
The Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board (NPAIHB) has joined forces with several partners to support adolescent health, education, and cultural resiliency skills.
HealthyNativeYouth.org is one-stop shop for educators and advocates who want to expand learning opportunities for AI/AN youth. The site is designed for tribal health educators, teachers, and parents – providing training and tools needed to access and deliver effective, age-appropriate positive youth development, healthy decision-making curricula. The website includes free curricula, lesson plans, implementation toolbox and resources to support the delivery in the classroom or afterschool in tribal or urban settings.
Healthy Native Youth E-Newsletters Library: Click here
Paths Remembered.org resources for individuals, educators, providers and tribal leaders can be found in a one-stop shop portal; a must-have bookmark on one’s internet browser. An array of health information, community resources, educator toolbox and PSAs for any setting to impress the importance of inclusive health.
The Trans and Gender-Affirming Care ECHO Program is designed to coach providers in giving appropriate, high-quality care to gender-diverse patients. Sessions are open to all, but require advanced registration.
WeRNative.org is a multimedia health resource – for Native youth, by Native youth. The site includes health & wellness resources that address the social, structural, and environmental stressors that influence adolescent health and personal goal setting.
Social Marketing Campaigns:
- Select from several media campaigns on NPAIHB. Feel free to download, print, or pass on any of our campaign materials. Or use the campaign logos on your own shirts and promotional materials. Visit here!
- HIV/AIDS– Prevention, Treatment, Healing
Contact
Who do I contact if I have questions?
Celena J. Ghost Dog, MPH, CPH (Navajo) Project Manager
Email: cghostdog@npaihb.org