Texas Youth-Friendly Initiative - Healthy Futures of Texas

Healthy Futures of Texas leads the Texas Youth-Friendly Initiative, a grant funded program delivered in collaboration with community and national partners.

The Texas Youth-Friendly Initiative (TYFI) boosts health centers’ capacity to deliver improved care to young people aged 10-24 through an 18-month Adolescent Champion Model. Developed by the Adolescent Health Initiative (AHI) at the University of Michigan, this evidence-based model addresses a health center’s environment, policies, and practices, ensuring that every aspect of the visit is youth-centered and adolescent-friendly.

Adolescent Champion Model

The Adolescent Champion Model is an 18-month multifaceted intervention that addresses a health center’s environment, policies, and practices to ensure that all aspects of a visit to the health center are youth-centered.

Champion Teams Typically Include:

Provider
Health Center Manager
1-3 Engaged Staff Members (e.g., Medical Assistant, Mental Health Provider, Front Desk Staff)

By engaging a diverse team, the Adolescent Champion Model ensures a comprehensive approach to improving care for young people

Once the Champion Team is identified, together they complete a comprehensive Adolescent-Centered Environment self-assessment (ACE-AP). This assessment helps identify strengths and areas for improvement, paving the way for a more adolescent-centered health care environment.

The 12 key areas of the ACE-AP are:

Hi, I’m Ana Belén, the Program Manager for TYFI. Growing up near the Texas Medical Center in Houston, I developed a strong passion for healthcare and medicine from an early age. My personal experiences have underscored the importance of prioritizing vulnerable populations, particularly adolescents. This insight fuels my commitment to working with health clinics across Texas to advance adolescent health and help them enhance their ability to provide youth-friendly care.

Chinwe Efuribe Medical Consultant

How to Get Involved with the Texas Youth-Friendly Initiative

TYFI invites health centers within our catchment area (see the image to the left) to apply for participation. During the recruitment period, health center staff can:

Schedule one-on-one meetings with the TYFI team.
Attend informational webinars hosted throughout the recruitment period.

These sessions offer valuable opportunities to ask questions and gain support from decision-makers at your health center. If your clinic decides to participate, an application will be submitted (see sample application). Our team will review your application, and upon approval, we will proceed with signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

Clinics outside of the catchment area are also welcome to participate. However, please note that clinics located outside the designated catchment area will need to cover the associated costs of participation.

TYFI is not currently accepting applications. However, if you would like to participate in the next cohort (Fall 2025) then please fill out this form or contact azelaya@healthyfutures-tx.org.

Participant Stipend and Benefits

Catchment Area or Regions Eligible for Participation and Funding:

Opportunities for Health Center Improvement

Engaging Youth: Enhance efforts to attract adolescents and young adults to your health center. Focus on maximizing the effectiveness of the limited time available during visits to better engage and support this demographic.

Creating an Adolescent-Centered Environment: Tailor your health center’s environment to better meet the specific needs of adolescent patients. This involves adjusting physical spaces and processes to be more welcoming and responsive to younger patients.

Enhancing Confidentiality and Expertise: Increase familiarity with Texas confidentiality laws and provide targeted training for providers and staff. Equip your team with the knowledge and skills needed to address the unique needs of adolescents effectively.

Expanding Professional Development: Offer more professional development opportunities, particularly for non-provider staff. Enhance their skills and effectiveness to improve overall service delivery and patient care.
Improving Patient-Centered Care: Capitalize on opportunities to provide more patient-centered care. Focus on approaches that positively impact adolescent health outcomes and ensure that care is tailored to individual patient needs.

Adolescent Outcomes

“Attending the TYFI Summit in Houston was an eye-opening experience, affirming Abide Women’s Health Services’ commitment to enhancing care for young individuals aged 10-24. Collaborating with Texas Youth-Friendly Initiative empowers us to evolve and ensure that Abide remains a safe haven for all, including those navigating the journey of parenthood at any age.”

– Paige J. VP of Clinical Services at Abide Women’s Health Services in Dallas

“What was most meaningful to me, [at the Summit], was the invaluable chance to connect with fellow advocates in our collective journey towards youth-friendly conscious settings and services. The presentations and attendees not only highlighted the significance of youth-friendliness but also sparked crucial conversations on related topics. This event reminded me that each of us plays a vital role in a larger movement to transform care for youth.”

– Allyssa A. Baylor Teen Health Clinic Director of Public Health Programming

“What was most meaningful to me, [at the Summit], was the invaluable chance to connect with fellow advocates in our collective journey towards youth-friendly conscious settings and services. The presentations and attendees not only highlighted the significance of youth-friendliness but also sparked crucial conversations on related topics. This event reminded me that each of us plays a vital role in a larger movement to transform care for youth.”

– Lizette Garza, CHW Program Coordinator at Project Vida in El Paso

Program Texas Youth-Friendly Initiative

Healthy Futures of Texas leads the Texas Youth-Friendly Initiative, a grant funded program delivered in collaboration with community and national partners.

How to Get Involved with the Texas Youth-Friendly Initiative

For more information please contact azelaya@healthyfutures-tx.org

stay Informed