Teen and Young Adult Health Program
Nancy Birkhimer, MPH, Director
Our Vision:
All Maine youth are healthy, safe and respected.
Our Mission:
We will work with communities and state agencies to assure that all adolescents have skills and access to services, information, and the supports that promote healthy life choices.
Program Overview:
The public health needs of adolescents are addressed in many programs across Maine State Government and the Teen and Young Adult Health Program staff collaborates with all of them. Within the Teen and Young Adult Health (TYAH) Program we focus on the following program goals:
Program Goals:
- To increase teens’ access to health care, including mental health;
- To increase healthy behaviors of adolescents;
- To reduce teen pregnancy and unintended births;
- To promote positive youth development and youth involvement; and
- To promote evidence-based programs and integrated services.
Priority Populations:
- Youth and young adults (ages 10 to 24)
- Women who are low-income and at risk for unintended pregnancy
Program Activities:
- Provide funding for reproductive health services, family life education and community outreach services (Family Planning Association of Maine)
- Provide funding and technical support and develop policy for school-based health centers (20 SBHC partially funded)
- Provide funding for a statewide youth leadership network and training program (Maine Youth Action Network, MYAN)
- Collaborate with the state-wide Eating Disorders Work Group; a private-public partnership addressing both prevention and treatment issues
- Partner with the Office of Substance Abuse, Healthy Maine Partnerships, the Maine Youth Suicide Prevention Program and others to coordinate activities and build integrated systems
- Consult with the Healthy Families Home Visitation programs to ensure the needs of pregnant and parenting teens are met
- Provide technical assistance, advocacy and support to agencies and organizations working to improve adolescent health
- Collaborate with other State agencies on adolescent health issues
Funding Sources
- Fund for a Healthy Maine funds;
- State Maternal and Child Health matching funds; and
- Maternal & Child Health Block Grant from the Maternal & Child Health Bureau (MCHB)
(61% Fund for a Healthy Maine; 30% General Fund; 9% Federal)
Deptartment of Health and Human Services
Maine Center for Disease Control & Prevention
Teen and Young Adult Health Program
11 State House Station
Augusta, Maine 04333-0011
Phone: 1-207-287-3311
Toll-free in Maine: 1-800-698-3624
TTY: 1-800-606-0215
