About AHWG

History

Established in 1996 by a group of leading adolescent health providers and advocates in response to the lack of youth friendly health services available in the city of San Francisco.

Mission

To ensure that all youth and young adults have unimpeded access to high quality, culturally competent, youth friendly health services. The AHWG recognizes that its’ mission can only be accomplished by utilizing the collective wisdom, resources and energy of individuals and public and private agencies who respect the lives of young people. 

Core Functions

Committed to consensus based processes, the AHWG works to fulfill its mission by: 1) Developing comprehensive evidence-based tools, practice standards, and training, 2) Convening and coordinating stakeholders and facilitating linkages across systems of concern and care for young people, and 3) Conducting policy and advocacy activities to advance adolescent and young adult health and wellness.

Geographic Priorities

1) Tools: Local, regional, state, and national; 3) Training: Primarily local and regional; 4) Convening and Coordinating: Primarily local; 5) Policy and Advocacy: Primarily local with limited regional, state, and national efforts. 

Staff

AHWG is made up of a small staff and many dedicated interns. Founder, Dr. Janet Shalwitz serves as Senior Advisor. AHWG is a project of the Tides Center.

Steering Committee

The AHWG is guided by a Steering Committee of local adolescent health providers and advocates from city departments, private agencies, and community based organizations.

Subcommittees

1) Youth/Young Adult Behavioral Health Work Group: a partnership between DPH Community Behavioral Health Services (CBHS) and community based organizations to increase coordination and leveraging of resources for disconnected young people; 2) Teen Pregnancy Prevention Committee: established to improve coordination of fundraising efforts, education, and service delivery among local sexual health agencies and schools.

Network

Over 2,000 youth/young adult health and social service professionals comprise the AHWG network including doctors, nurses, social workers, case managers, and program coordinators from public clinics, private practices, health plans, juvenile justice centers, and school-based health and wellness centers.