Healthshack is a Personal Health Record (PHR) and online information system that provides a safe place for at-risk and marginalized youth to keep their health records and other important documents, have access to public health nurses, and also receive up-to-date, youth approved resources giving teens the necessary tools needed in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
The overall goal of the Healthshack project is to promote the health and well-being of marginalized youth and young adults through the implementation and expansion of a youth-centered, youth-controlled, web-based, confidential Personalized Health Information System (PHIS) to assist with the coordination of medical and mental health services for this vulnerable population. Healthshack will: 1) increase the number of youth with updated, centralized health information including health insurance eligibility, 2) increase access to and utilization of clinical services (including preventive care), and 3) increase youth self-efficacy to pursue steps toward improved health and well being. As an enhancement to traditional case management, Healthshack is expected to achieve better outcomes through youth-relevant content (knowledge of local resources is created by youth for youth) and promoting youth empowerment and self-efficacy (youth are encouraged to take ownership of their own health).
Background
California's homeless youth and those aging out of foster care are medically at risk and suffer from a lack of access and support for navigating the complex systems of healthcare, education, employment, housing and other resources.
Currently there is no statewide accounting for homeless youth in California, but a 2005 homeless count in Los Angeles County estimated 22,000 homeless youth and teens up to the age of 24. National homelessness among youth between the ages of 12-17 ranges from 1.6 to 1.7 million; about 300,000-400,000 youth may be homeless on a single day.
According to the National Coalition for the Homeless, "Homelessness has a devastating impact on homeless children and youth's educational opportunities. Residency requirements, guardianship requirements, delays in transfer of school records, lack of transportation, and lack of immunizations records often prevent homeless children from enrolling in school."
Marginalized and at-risk youth face additional obstacles in life. California has the nation's highest number of children in foster care, about 19%. According to the Children's Law Center of Los Angeles, less than 10% of emancipated foster youth enroll in college, and only 1% graduate. Twenty-five percent become incarcerated within the first two years after they leave the system; a full half become unemployed.
Partners
Healthshack has been created through a partnership with Wind Youth Services, UC Davis Adolescent Medicine, Linkage to Education, Sierra Health Foundation, Community Health Resource And Development and FollowMe.com.
Project Funding - Sierra Health Foundation, United Health Group
Initial funding and support has been generously provided by Sierra Health Foundation, which continues its support as a project partner and funder.
Other Support
We would like to acknowledge and thank Casey Family Programs for their support and contribution of resource information.
Healthshack report from the US Dept of Health and Human Services
http://www.innovations.ahrq.gov/content.aspx?id=3104
Below is an article about Healthshack from the 2010 25th Anniversary Report from the Sierra Health Foundation.
| Attachment | Size |
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| Sierra Health Foundation Healthshack article (pdf) | 25.65 KB |
