The Adolescent Health Initiative (AHI) out of the University of Michigan has a lot of great resources for school-based health centers and other adolescent-centered clinics. One such tool is their “Spark” trainings. These 20-minute trainings are free and available to you, covering the following topics:
- Being youth-friendly
- Strengths-based approaches to adolescent health
- Adolescent brain development
- Cultural responsiveness
- Nonverbal communication bias
- Being an askable adult
- Confidentiality laws
- Confidentiality best practices
- School referrals
You can download Spark trainings here, which include a PowerPoint presentation, script, handouts, and case studies (“sparklers”). These are great tools to use in team meetings and huddles to build your skills in incremental, meaningful ways.
Questions about Sparks? AHI offers a web-based tutorial where you can learn more.
Have you done any Spark trainings? Let us know how it went!
KING COUNTY SCHOOL HEALTH 