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Better Together Hennepin

Photo of diverse group of young people smiling, with Better Together Hennepin wordmark

Better Together Hennepin promotes adolescent sexual health and wellbeing.

Better Together Hennepin values young people as important members of our community. Adolescence is a critical stage of life and young people have unique and specific needs. Sexual health is a key component of adolescent health and wellbeing. Yet, not all youth have what they need, especially youth affected by racism and other barriers.

When youth have education and support, they can reach their hopes and dreams in the future.

Our approach

With our community partners we provide four key supports:

  • Connections to caring adults
  • Access to adolescent friendly health care
  • Opportunities for healthy youth development
  • Comprehensive sexual health education

We provide programs in Hennepin County neighborhoods and cities with the greatest needs. This ensures that youth who need services the most, have access.

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Health mentors for youth

Health mentors are sexual health educators that work in schools and agencies. They provide education and connect youth to clinics to help them be healthy.

They work with youth one-on-one, in small groups, and in classrooms.

Health mentors consider the diverse needs of youth so they can be healthy, safe and supported.

Each location’s activities vary.

Schools with health mentors

  • Armstrong High School, Robbinsdale
  • Cooper High School, Robbinsdale
  • Brooklyn Center High School, Brooklyn Center
  • Edison High School, Minneapolis
  • El Colegio High School, Minneapolis
  • FAIR/Wellstone High School
  • Henry High School, Minneapolis
  • Hiawatha Collegiate High School, Minneapolis
  • Hopkins West Junior High, Hopkins
  • The Link Juvenile Justice Programs, Minneapolis
  • Menlo Park Alternative High School, Minneapolis
  • North High School, Minneapolis
  • Prairie Seeds Academy, Brooklyn Park
  • PYC Alternative High School, Minneapolis
  • Richfield High School, Richfield
  • Roosevelt High School, Minneapolis
  • Sojourner Truth Academy, Minneapolis
  • South High School, Minneapolis

Health mentor sites supported by other funders

  • Longfellow Alternative High School, Minneapolis
  • Southwest High School, Minneapolis
  • Washburn High School, Minneapolis

Parent education

We work with community agencies to provide education to parents for raising sexually healthy children. Parent workshops focus on having effective conversations with youth. The workshops cover strong relationships, open communication, and clear messages about values and expectations.

For more information contact Emily Scribner-O’Pray at emily.scribner-opray@hennepin.us.

Clinic engagement

We work to improve access to adolescent-friendly sexual health care. To do this, we engage young people, health care professionals and adolescent health experts.

This effort aims to create sexual health care for youth that is:

  • High quality
  • Adolescent-friendly
  • Trauma-informed
  • Inclusive
  • Confidential
  • Available to young people 13-24

Supporting youth in the justice system

We work with Family Tree Clinic to provide sexual health education to young people involved in the justice system. The clinic provides workshops to youth in the county juvenile detention center and health mentors at The Link Juvenile Justice Programs.

This work includes a drop-in support group for LGBTQIA+ youth with experience in the justice, foster care or other county systems.

Clinics and community organizations

Schools

  • Brooklyn Center Community Schools
  • El Colegio High School
  • Hopkins Public Schools
  • Minneapolis Public Schools
  • Prairie Seeds Academy
  • Robbinsdale Area Public Schools
  • Richfield Public Schools
  • Sojourner Truth Academy
photo of large diverse group of young people smiling, who are members of the youth leadership council

Youth leadership councils

The councils mobilize their community around adolescent sexual health and wellbeing:

  • Brooklyn Center Youth Leadership Council
  • El Colegio High School ¿QuéOnda? Peer Educators
  • Hiawatha Academy ¿QuéOnda? Peer Educators
  • Minneapolis School-Based Clinics T.H.E. Council
  • North High Peer Educators
  • Richfield High School ¿QuéOnda? Peer Educators
  • Richfield High School Student Wellness Council
  • Minneapolis School Based Clinics Teen Health Empowerment (THE) Council
  • Robbinsdale Armstrong Youth Leadership Council
  • Robbinsdale Cooper Youth Leadership Council

Community advisory group

  • Annex Teen Clinic
  • Between Us/Aquí Para Ti – Hennepin Healthcare
  • Brooklyn Center Public Schools
  • Family Tree Clinic
  • Hennepin County – Transition Aged Youth
  • Indian Health Board
  • Minneapolis Health Department
  • Minneapolis Public Schools
  • Minnesota Department of Health
  • myHealth for teens and young adults
  • NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center
  • Park Nicollet Foundation
  • Planned Parenthood North Central States
  • Richfield Public Schools
  • Richfield-Bloomington-Edina Public Health
  • University of Minnesota - Healthy Youth Development Prevention Research Center
  • Youthprise

Funders

Funders interested in investing in youth can contact Emily Scribner-O'Pray at emily.scribner-opray@hennepin.us.

Helping clinics create good outcomes for youth

Better Together Hennepin wants all youth in Hennepin County to have access to high-quality sexual health care. Our program organized an advisory group to create the Standards of Care for Adolescent Health Care. These standards help clinics identify key aspects of accessible, adolescent friendly care.

We offer guidance and training to strengthen clinics’ ability to serve youth. Clinics can take part in an assessment process. Interested clinics should contact Katie Miller at katie.miller@hennepin.us.

Resources for clinics

List of adolescent-friendly clinics

Visit MyselfMyhealth.org.

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