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PATCH
providers and Teens Communicating for Health
PATCH for HOPE Buffalo
PATCH (Providers and Teens Communicating for Health) is an innovative, youth-driven program working to ensure all youth are able to receive high-quality, youth-friendly healthcare services.
We hire youth (ages 15 to 19) and train them as Teen Educators. As Teen Educators, they lead PATCH workshops and share their authentic youth experiences, concerns and preferences. We believe THEY are best equipped to provide this insight.
Workshops
PATCH FOR PROVIDERS
- Teen-delivered
- Appropriate for all types of healthcare professionals
- Equips healthcare professionals with skills to ensure an environment that prioritizes confidentiality, judgment-free care, and effective communication strategies that resonate with teens
- 1.5 CME credits available
► Download our brochure for more information.
PATCH for Teens
- Peer-to-peer learning
- Empowers youth to manage their own healthcare experience
- Equips youth with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the healthcare system and advocate for teen-friendly services
► Download our brochure for more information.
Schedule a Workshop
- To schedule a workshop, click here to complete our registration form and we will get in touch with you shortly.
Apply to be a Teen Educator for 2019-2020
As a Teen Educator, you will work with other teens and adults to improve your community.
You will be asked to do the following:
- Attend and participate in a five-day Teen Educator Training in Buffalo. The training (five hours each day) is scheduled for: Nov 8, 9, 15, 16, and Nov 22.
- Regularly attend and participate in two enrichment meetings each month
- Facilitate PATCH for HOPE Buffalo workshops (one for healthcare professionals like doctors, nurses and others; one for other teens like you) throughout the program year
- Provide a teen’s voice and act as a representative at community events and conferences
- Be a reliable source of information for other teens
- Advocate for change in your community and healthcare systems
You are encouraged to apply if you:
- Are between ages 15 and 19 (be at least 15 years old by December 1, 2019 and not turn 20 until after November 30, 2019)
- Are available for the mandatory training dates:
Nov 8, 9, 15, 16, and Nov 22. - Can work well with others and enjoy being part of a team
- Demonstrate responsibility and reliability, including:
• Maintaining strong communication
via email and in person
• Attending all meetings and events on time
• Demonstrating dedication to the work
- Are willing to learn and be open-minded
- Are passionate about making sure all youth can get the healthcare they need and deserve
What will I gain from PATCH for HOPE Buffalo?
You will automatically be a part of HOPE Buffalo: The Pledge for Healthy Teens and you will gain valuable leadership and advocacy experience, become more familiar with important health topics that impact teens, develop communication and presentation skills, and so much more.
Being a PATCH for HOPE Buffalo Teen Educator is an impressive accomplishment to include on college applications and job résumés.
You will also be compensated for your time. You will receive $100 in VISA gift cards upon completion of the required five-day training, and a $25 VISA gift card for attending enrichment meetings and facilitating workshops. Your work hours vary, depending on how many healthcare providers and/or teen workshops you will be facilitating (approximately 2 to 10 hours each month).
Important Dates
- Application Due— October 25, 2019
- Teen Educator Interviews—November 1 - 2, 2019
- Training, Week One (attendance mandatory)— Friday, Nov 8th from 5:00PM - 9:00PM and Saturday, Nov 9th from 12:00PM - 4:00PM
- Training, Week Two (attendance mandatory)— Friday, Nov 15th from 5:00PM - 9:00PM and Saturday, Nov 16th from 12:00PM - 4:00PM
- Training, Week Three (attendance mandatory)— Friday, Nov 22 From 5:00PM - 9:00PM
Apply to be a Returning Teen Educator for 2019-2020
HOPE Buffalo is the community-wide pledge for teen health—a youth and community-led collaborative of diverse stakeholders, teens and adults, working together to promote equitable access to high-quality and comprehensive sexuality education and reproductive health services.
We believe that teens have the right to grow into the adults they want to be—whatever that means for them. We respect their right to make their own decisions and set their own goals about their health and future. And we will support them with an open door, an open ear, an open mind, and an open heart.
PATCH stands for Providers and Teens Communicating for Health. We believe that for YOU (and other teens) to be your healthiest, you should be able to have open and honest conversations with a trusted healthcare provider. But for many, this often isn’t the case. That’s why PATCH for HOPE Buffalo exists! We want to make sure that ALL youth are able to get the healthcare they need and deserve.
As a returning Teen Educator, we will still rely on you to share what you know about being a teen, like:
- What are you/your peer’s concerns about healthcare?
- What are things that make you like or dislike a healthcare provider?
- How much do you or your friends know about your healthcare rights as a teen?
And, you will also be:
- Expected to take on more of a leadership role on the team and in the program
- Provided with more growth opportunities
- Expected to act as a role model and mentor for all new Teen Educators
To re-apply for a position as a PATCH for HOPE Buffalo Teen Educator, this application must be completely filled out and submitted by October 25, 2019 at 11:59 PM. You will receive a confirmation email once
your form has been successfully submitted.
Important Dates
- Application Due— October 25, 2019
- Teen Educator Interviews—November 1 - 2, 2019
- Training, Week One (attendance mandatory)— Friday, Nov 8th from 5:00PM - 9:00PM and Saturday, Nov 9th from 12:00PM - 4:00PM
- Training, Week Two (attendance mandatory)— Friday, Nov 15th from 5:00PM - 9:00PM and Saturday, Nov 16th from 12:00PM - 4:00PM
- Training, Week Three (attendance mandatory)— Friday, Nov 22 From 5:00PM - 9:00PM
TAKE THE PLEDGE
As a member of the Buffalo community, I commit to the aspirations of the HOPE Buffalo initiative to help our teens grow into the adults they want to be. Collectively, we can build a promising future for the City of Buffalo!
The project described was supported by Grant Number1 TP1AH000213-01-00 from the HHS Office of Population Affairs. Contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Department of Health and Human Services or the Office of Population Affairs.
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