HiTOPS Model

An innovative combination of education, health services and support that promotes adolescent health and well-being and ensures safe passage through adolescence. Based on nearly 25 years of using a public health approach for diverse youth populations, HiTOPS fosters positive youth development by giving young people the age-appropriate and culturally relevant knowledge, skills and services they need to make healthy decisions and avoid high risk behavior.

Education

Interactive and skills-based education, led by peers or staff, to 1) improve decision-making, 2) reduce risk-taking behaviors, and 3) increase health literacy. Age-appropriate topics include:

• Ages 10-12: Puberty Education, Bullying Prevention
• Ages 13-14: Postponing Sexual Involvement, Healthy and Unhealthy Relationships, Prevention of Cyberbullying, Harassment, Sexual Harassment
• Ages 15-18: Body Image, Cyber Safety, Postponing Sexual Involvement, Pregnancy Prevention, HIV/AIDS, Homophobia Reduction, Sexually Transmitted Infections, Dating Violence and Sexual Assault
• Parents: Skill-building for raising a child’s self esteem, incorporating their values when talking with children about sexuality, increasing communication with teens
• Youth-Serving Professionals: professional development training, seminars, workshops, consultations, technical assistance

Health Services

Confidential, integrated, youth-friendly healthcare for adolescents ages 13 to 26. Advanced practice nurses provide services to reduce the risk of poor health outcomes and encourage parent/child communication. Services offered:

• Health Education and short-term counseling
• Physical and laboratory examination and treatment
• Reproductive healthcare
• Assessment for risk behaviors
• Overall health assessment including fitness, nutrition and stress
• Crisis intervention for dating violence and sexual assault
• Screening and referral for depression, eating disorders and substance abuse

Support

Safe space and resources for vulnerable populations, through regular support programs and “warmline” services (non-emergency call-in or drop-in) for youth, parents, health professionals, school administrators and teachers who contact HiTOPS during business hours.

Advocacy

HiTOPS promotes health literacy by teaching teens and young adults how to access and navigate the health care system for wellness care or when they are in need of services. HiTOPS asserts that while all youth are at risk due to age, developmental level and lack of experience, some youth are at higher risk due to a variety of factors, including poverty, discrimination and family situation, correlated with negative health outcomes in youth.

HiTOPS partners with other youth-serving organizations to gain access to and serve youth and communities that might not otherwise know about HiTOPS. HiTOPS extends its direct service impact through advocacy on behalf of youth.

HiTOPS is primarily funded by foundation and government grants, and a mixture of fee-for-service and individual donations.