Implementing an Adolescent Community Health Worker Model to Support Adolescents Transitioning to Adult Medicine

Authors: Lily Ann Divino, LCSW, MPH ∙ Shauntée Henry, BS ∙ Jasmine White, MBA, MS ∙ Janet Siegel, DO ∙ Michelle Lam, MBA ∙ Pilar Gonzalez, MD, FAAP ∙ Rachel Bring, MD ∙ Katherine Piwnica-Worms, MD, MHS

Young adults often struggle to move from adolescent to adult healthcare. This project introduced Adolescent Community Health Workers (Adol CHWs) to help with this transition at a hospital in New York. Trained Adol CHWs assisted adolescents (ages 18-22) by coordinating care and ensuring they attended their first adult medicine appointment. Over a year, 80 adolescents were referred, and those contacted by an Adol CHW were more likely to complete or schedule their appointment. The program proved feasible and is expanding to support neurodivergent adolescents and their families.