Teen Sense: Model Sexual Healthcare Standards

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.