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Adolescent Champion Model

In 2018, Affirm (formerly Arizona Family Health Partnership) received a grant from the Arizona Department of Health Services to implement the Adolescent Champion Model for the first time in Arizona. Developed by the University of Michigan’s Adolescent Health Initiative, Affirm supports health centers through the multi-disciplinary intervention aimed at addressing a health center's environment, policies, and practices to improve care delivery to adolescents.

Health centers that participate in the Adolescent Champion Model implement important best practices for providing high quality care to adolescents, including:

Offering extended hours for adolescents

Providing same day Long-Acting Reversible Contraception

Annually training staff on minor's confidentiality rights

Delivering on-site integrated behavioral health services

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What do young people say?

There is a more welcoming environment where I can talk about my sexuality openly.

There are a lot more questions about my mental health which is a good thing.

Faster calling in than last time and I noticed that she took her time.

They asked more questions. They were more clear with what happened.

What do providers say?

"I love that the model really gives a voice to an often unheard age group. Through the Adolescent Champion Model we were able to quickly identify and correct weaknesses in our adolescent care. Completing the process left myself, the staff, and most importantly, our adolescent patients empowered. "

Pediatrician, Chiricahua Community Health Centers, Inc.

"The Adolescent Champion Model has really opened my eyes to what it means to provide adolescent-centered care – how to be intentional and make it a priority. The education has been eye opening and there have been amazing benefits for myself and my team as a result of our participation."

Pediatrician, Mariposa Community Health Center

“Implementing the Adolescent Champion Model has had a significant impact on young people’s comfort sharing concerns with me. We have established private time without their parent in the room, so they can open up about their health needs. Parents have been very receptive to the concept.”

Pediatrician, North Country HealthCare Winslow

“The ACM included beneficial educational tools for our providers regarding various aspects of adolescent care, such as privacy laws and sexual health. I loved how detailed the evaluation process was, as it led to very specific recommendations for targeted interventions to address gaps in adolescent healthcare.”

Pediatrician, HonorHealth - Scottsdale Osborn Medical Center

In the News

Live on PBS

Affirm’s Adolescent Champion Model program was spotlighted on Arizona Horizon. The team spoke to the progress and merits of this incredible intervention for adolescent-friendly care in our state.

First of its Kind

The Arizona Alliance for Adolescent Health releases the first-ever status report on the health and wellbeing of Arizona’s youth. A snapshot of physical, emotional, social, economic, and environmental health.

Stay Updated!

Affirm’s monthly #TeenHealthTuesday newsletter covers all aspects of adolescent wellbeing, with tips, trainings, tools, and more for youth-serving professionals.

Do you provide primary care services? Want to strengthen your teams’ ability to provide youth-friendly care? Take the first step toward improving adolescent care in your practice. Contact ACM@affirmaz.org

Looking for Adolescent-Friendly Care?

Find health centers that provide primary care or sexual and reproductive health services for young people.