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Tools
for Youth
The following information is provided
to highlight programs and Resources that support youth
transitions
to adult health care.
KASA -
Kids As Self Advocates:
KASA is a national, grassroots network of youth with
special needs and friends, speaking on behalf of themselves.
They are leaders in communities, and help spread helpful,
positive information among peers to increase knowledge
around various issues. Those issues include: living
with special health care needs, health care transition
issues, education, employment, and many more.
For more information on KASA, click
here.
Healthy & Ready to Work
National Center (HRTW):
The mission of the HRTW National Center is to create changes
in policy, programs and practices that will help youth
with special health care needs transition to adult health
care with funding, work, and independence - raising expectations
and making change happen for YSHCN.
A national focal point for the HRSA/MCHB’s HRTW
initiative the Center will advance the HP 2010 goal
of “improving the health and quality of life of
youth and young adults with disabilities and reduce
the disparities that exist for this population when
compared to youth and young adults in general.”
For more information on HRTW and for additional transition
resources and tools, click
here. You can also download a flyer on HRTW tools
and resources available on the web site by
clicking here.
The National Youth Leadership Network
(NYLN):
This Network is for youth dedicated to advancing the
next generation of disability leaders. The
NYLN:
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Promotes leadership development, education,
employment, independent living, and health and wellness
among young leaders representing the diversity of race,
ethnicity and disability in the United States.
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Fosters the inclusion of young leaders
with disabilities into all aspects of society at national,
state and local levels.
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Communicates about issues important
to youth with disabilities and the policies and practices
that affect their lives.
Steps Toward Adult
Responsibility (STAR):
The STAR Program is a collaboration between Children's
Hospital at Dartmouth (CHaD), the Department of Psychiatry
at Dartmouth Medical School, and the Hood Center for
Children & Families.
The STAR Program assists teens in meeting the challenges
that both adolescence and chronic health conditions
pose. The program targets adolescents thirteen years
of age and older who have chronic medical conditions.
STAR offers clinical services to
teens and their parents as well as provides a
peer-based support systems and mentoring. Mentors are
from Dartmouth students also living with a chronic health
condition.
STAR also creates and participates in educational programs
designed for professionals and caregivers involved in
the medical/education/family management of adolescents
with chronic health conditions.
For more information on the STAR program click
here.
The Starbright Foundation:
The
STARBRIGHT Foundation is dedicated to the development
of projects that empower seriously ill children to combat
the medical and emotional challenges they face on a
daily basis. STARBRIGHT projects do more than educate
or entertain: they address the core issues that accompany
illness – the pain, fear, loneliness, and depression
that can be as damaging as the sickness itself.
STARBRIGHT
World is a private online community connecting over
30,000 kids living with chronic and serious illness.
Kids can chat, email, read bulletin boards, find friends,
learn about healthcare conditions, surf web sites and
play games... all in a private and safe environment
just for them. STARBRIGHT World can be accessed by registered
users from hundreds of homes and 97 children's hospitals
across North America.
Let's Connect Web Site
- Created by and for Young People with Chronic Illnesses
This Web site was created by young people with chronic
illnesses for young people with chronic illnesses. It
provides forums, links to information about conditions
and programs, a Dear Connect feature where users can
write to the site's creators, and more. http://www.letsconnect.org/
Project T.E.A.M.S.
The purpose of this web site is to act as a central
location for resources addressing Transition, Employment,
Advocacy, Mentoring, and Self-Determination for assisting
Special Education students, their families, and professionals
in the field.
For more information visit: http://www.projectteams.org/
** If you have information or resources
to add, such as: specific programs or organizations you
would like to see listed, please e-mail us at medical home@aap.org.
Last Updated
July 25, 2008
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