Adolescent Health August Feature
Frederick County Health Department/Nursing Division’s “Guys Only!” After School Program
“Guys Only!” is a voluntary after school program for young men ages 12-14 that uses group discussion and active role-play help engage young men in dialogue about responsible decision making, peer pressure, sexual pressures, media influences, and drugs and alcohol. The program uses male teen leaders to co-facilitate the sessions and serve as role models and mentors to the younger teens. For more information on the program, visit www.frederickhealth.org. To view the program’s NACCHO Model Practice page, visit http://www.naccho.org/topics/modelpractices/database/index.cfm. 
By involving peers, mentors, groups, and communities in the process of empowering adolescents with the information, tools, and support to make healthy decisions, positive youth development can go a long way towards improving trends in adolescent health. Through these processes, positive youth development helps youth to realize and utilize their potential. LHDs have an integral role in positive youth development efforts through relationships and interactions with the community. Through coalitions and partnerships with community organizations such as after-school programs, community centers, schools, and juvenile justice facilities, LHDs have the opportunity to be the catalyst for comprehensive positive youth development throughout the community. For resources specific to this month's feature topic, please visit the Adolescent Health Resources Page. |
