Categories

• Health Care and Insurance Issues
• Testing
• Prevention and Sexual Health
• Transmission
• Youth
• Human Rights
• Treatment
• Reproductive Health and Rights
• Youth in State Custody
• LGBTQI

Resource Type

Guides (Legal or Medical)  

Description

The Teen SENSE Model Sexual Health Care Standards for Youth in State Custody are designed to reflect the minimum requirements that facilities should meet in order to appropriately address the sexual health care needs of youth in the state's care. These Standards focus on sexual health care because youth in state custody are at higher risk of STIs, including HIV, yet services to address this
risk typically have been inadequate or nonexistent. Youth in out-of-home care rely on the
institutions where they are housed to address these needs. While the length of time that a
youth remains in state custody may vary significantly, all state custody facilities should provide
information on and medical attention to sexual health issues.

Under these standards:

• Youth in state custody should be given screenings that address both their physical and mental health, as well as examinations that include their sexual histories.
• Providers should provide information and treatment related to sexual abuse, pregnancy, and STI transmission and prevention.
• All youth should be offered testing for STIs, including HIV, and given proper follow-up counseling even if the tests are negative.
• Youth who are pregnant, gender non-conforming, or LGBTQ should not be treated differently or receive a lesser standard of care simply because they are in state.
• Facilities should also offer ongoing care and discharge planning related to sexual health.
• All medical care services should be conducted in a confidential, culturally competent, and inclusive manner.

 

File

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Published

2012-January  

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