Why have a health center specifically devoted to serve teens?

The Corner Health Center is designed to support youth and help them stay healthy and make responsible decisions in a confidential and youth friendly environment. Clinicians include doctors and nurse practitioners who specialize in the care of teens.

Many teens who come to The Corner are here to seek information, support a friend or receive care for a health problem such as asthma or a sore throat. Some also come for reproductive health services.

We encourage all of our patients to discuss their visits with their parents. Most report that they tell their mother and father about coming to The Corner. Parents are welcome to accompany their teenager to medical visits.

Unfortunately, not all teens are able to tell their parents or guardians that they are sexually active. Some fear the consequences including abuse. They state that, if their privacy is not guaranteed, they may not seek care. These young people still have a right to services that can help them stay healthy. Because of this, the law assures that all minors have access to confidential birth control services, pregnancy tests, prenatal and postpartum care, mental health and substance abuse services.

Because of confidentiality policies, The Corner cannot discuss your teenager’s visit with or release medical records to you regarding reproductive health care and mental health services without your teenager's consent. We are happy to discuss our general reproductive health and other clinic services with you. We also help you and your adolescent keep the lines of communication open. Honest, open communication between you and your teenagers will help them understand your values and stay healthy as they mature.

Web Resources
www.advocatesforyouth.org provides information to both parents and teens from an organization that “respects the right of youth to act responsibly.”
www.healthykids.org provides information in a teen friendly way about many teen health related topics. It also has a special section devoted solely to parents.
www.familiesaretalking.org is a website of the family project of the Sexuality Education and Information Council of the U.S. (SIECUS). It helps parents communicate with their children about sex and offers tools for better communication.

Books
Ruth Bell, Changing Bodies, Changing Lives
Debra Haffner, The Big Talk: A Guide for Talking with Middle Schoolers and Up
Deborah Roffman, Sex and Sexuality: The Thinking Parents Guide to Talking Sense about Sex