adequate access to local primary health care providers including pediatricians, general physicians and or nursing practitioners

 

specialists such as pediatricians, orthodontists, gynecologists who work with youth, and child and youth mental health specialists are easily accessible and available to attend to you 

 

access to affordable transportation is available for those requiring travel to see specialists

 

outreach services are available for children and youth who cannot travel or have access to adequate transportation

 

access to affordable accommodations is offered to family members with children requiring stays in hospitals

 

teams are interdisciplinary with professionals including social workers, specialists, mental health workers, substance abuse counselors

 

youth health services in the community are available and open evenings and weekends

 

health services are available in discrete locations to protect the privacy of children and youth

 

options are available to access services anonymously (e.g., for sexual health issues, needle exchanges, mental health issues)

 

confidentiality issues are addressed in initial appointments

 

peer support services are available for youth, children and parents

health authorities and schools work together to promote prevention and early intervention

 

health authorities invite children and youth to participate in open discussion and public education forums about health issues that affect children and youth 

 

early screening is available, accessible, and encouraged for health, developmental, emotional and mental health concerns (Vision screening)

 

social networking sites have posts that increase awareness in youth about different health related sites

 

websites on health topics are oriented towards teens and youth by incorporating age appropriate teaching tools such as with games, online questionnaires, music, artists, and personal stories

 

programs are available that promote healthy eating

programs are available that promote healthy activity
 

programs are available that teach healthy cooking

 

programs are available that teach stress management

 

programs are available that educate children and youth about the harms of smoking

 

programs are available that support nursing mothers

 

programs are available that support healthy pregnancy choices and post-partum support

 

programs that encourage and teach children and youth to advocate on behalf of their own health and well-being

 

programs are available that offer sex education to children and youth

 

programs are available that educate children and youth about alcohol and drugs

 

programs are available that educate children and youth about mental health

 

dental care is free and easily accessible

 

essential orthodontic services are free and easily accessible

 

essential physiotherapy services are free and easily accessible

 

optometry services are free and easily accessible

 

counselling services are free and easily accessible

 

healthcare practices are culturally sensitive

 

only healthy choices are available in vending machines

 

clean water fountains or water bottle stations are available in frequented public areas

 

a separate or designated area within waiting rooms is allocated for young children to protect them from seeing something potentially traumatic or inappropriate

 

health service offices are equipped with things to make children, youth, and parents feel at ease such as play areas, children’s artwork, and age-appropriate reading materials

 

health service buildings are accessible by wheelchairs and strollers

 

health service offices have private breastfeeding areas

 

changing tables are accessible to mothers and fathers

 

washrooms are gender neutral

 

lower counters or step stools are available in washrooms for children to reach the sink

 

water fountains are physically accessible for children

 

staff (medical and administrative) are trained in speaking and interacting with children/youth

 

sufficient time is allowed for consultation with youth and children; appointment times are flexible to accommodate youth, recognizing that lack of reliability in youth may mean a different approach is required

 

staff evaluations include evaluation of attitudes toward children and youth

input from youth and parents is valued in planning and evaluating health services

 

health services offer work experience to students

 

materials with health related information are available in various languages

 

policies protect children and youth from being translators for their parents

educational services for children/youth in long term care can accessed while staying in the hospital

 

technology such as videoconferencing is utilized to aid individuals in rural areas and connecting them with health professionals to reduce time spent travelling and increase access to specialized health professionals

 

health service staff have access to a directory of child and youth serving programs and services

 

hospitals have services that demonstrate hospital or medical procedures for young children (e.g., teddy bear clinics)