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Middle Adolescence
By their middle teens, youth have reached puberty, and are becoming acquainted with their "new" bodies and unfamiliar emotions. It's not surprising that teenagers can often be moody, or overly concerned about their physical image. Habits in eating, exercise, health care, and hygiene fluctuate wildly.
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Socially, interest in dating skyrockets. And, while teenagers are forming strong alliances with their peers, they are asserting their independence at home. Adolescent years are notorious for experimentation with drugs, sex, and risk-taking behavior. But this is also the time when teens begin thinking seriously about their future, developing their intellect and creativity, and taking on new responsibilities. This is a critical time for supportive parental involvement.
Child and Adolescent Health supports programs and services that families, adults, and teens can turn to for help.
Child and Adolescent Health Programs
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Youth Development
The Youth Development program's goal is to decrease the incidence of unplanned pregnancies, teen parenthood, and sexually-transmitted diseases.
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Abstinence Education
The Abstinence Education Program supports community projects and educational media to reduce teen pregnancy in Washington State.
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Coordinated School Health
This program works in partnership with schools, state agencies, and community resources to provide healthy and safe school environments.
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Family Support Initiative
Actively engaged in the nation's Family Support Movement, the Family Support Initiative supports Parenting Leadership programs in Washington communities.
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Child Abuse Prevention
The DOH supports the Washington Council for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect, and coordinates the work of agencies statewide.
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Teen Health Fact Sheets
Addressing the key issues that adolescents face, Teen Health Fact Sheets provide information that families, health providers, and teens can use.
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Helpful Links
Links to external resources are
provided as a public service and do not imply endorsement by
the Washington State Department of Health.
Age of Consent provides the Revised Codes of Washington, or RCWs, pertinent to minors' consent-to-health-services rights. (PDF file)
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Bright Futures Guidelines for parents and health care providers to help children from birth through adolescence grow up healthy.
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National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy
Provides information on national teen pregnancy statistics; research; and resources for teen, parents, professionals, and policy makers.
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TeenGrowth The web site of choice for thousands of teens looking for health information.
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Healthy Youth 2006 Survey is a collaborative effort of the Department of Health, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), Department of Social and Health Services and other state and local agencies. Many agencies in Washington, including schools, work to help kids grow up in healthy environments. The survey helps these agencies to find out more about the strengths and weaknesses in our communities and programs for youth.
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Youth Tobacco Prevention: Outrage Avenue is a website for and about teens and tobacco.
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Youth Suicide Prevention Services
and other outreach/prevention resources are available for youth and adults online, and by phone: 1-888-431-8336 (Teen Link).
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Teen Health and the Media
provides the latest research on effectiveness of media literacy education in preventing unhealthy behaviors, and information and resources pertaining specifically to media literacy as a tool for preventing unintended pregnancy, eating disorders, suicide and alcohol, tobacco and other drug use.
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