Published January, 2012

Teen SENSE Model Standards: Sexual Health Care for Youth in State Custody, The Center for HIV Law and Policy (2012)

Teen SENSE Model Standards: Sexual Health Care for Youth in State Custody reflects the minimum requirements that facilities should meet in order to appropriately address the sexual health care needs of youth in the state's care. Youth should be provided with confidential, culturally competent care including physical and mental health screenings; universal offers of STI and HIV testing; written information, counseling, and treatment related to pregnancy, STI and HIV transmission and prevention, and sexual violence; and ongoing care and discharge planning related to sexual and reproductive health.

The standards are divided into the following sections: Initial Health Assessment and Health Maintenance Examination, Ongoing Care, Discharge Planning, Communication with Patients, Confidentiality and Reporting, and Informed Consent and the Right to Refuse Treatment.

The standards are intended for use by facility directors and staff in planning medical protocols, for advocates of youth in care, and providers of health care for youth in state custody.