Youth Friendly Services What Are the Benefits Characteristics of Youth-Friendly Programming Characteristics of Youth-Friendly Providers

Youth Friendly Services

The service providers should be non-judgemental and considerate in their dealings with adolescents and youth and deliver the services in the right way. The service delivery point should provide and enable adolescents and youth to obtain the health services they need.

Youth friendly sexual and reproductive health services are services or clinics that deliver a comprehensive range of sexual and reproductive health services in ways that are responsive to the specific needs, vulnerabilities and desires of young people. These youth friendly services succeed in attracting and retaining young clients for continuing care and this can only be done when there is understanding and respect for young people’s sexual and reproductive rights.

Youth friendly services should be accessible to all adolescents and young people regardless of your age, marital status, HIV status, sexual orientation, gender identity, occupation, social status, geographical location or ability to pay. These services must be confidential, non-judgmental and private.

Youth friendly services recognise the importance of the people and community groups that structure your choices and your life. Thus, services should involve and gain the support of those important in your life, such as partners, parents, guardians, carers, faith organisations, community leaders and schools. At the same time, service providers must prioritise your rights, including rights to privacy and confidentiality, and ensure that they do not compromise these rights by involving parents, guardians or others.

Adolescent and youth-friendly health services (AYFHS) (also called youth-friendly services, YFS) are designed to address the barriers faced by youth in accessing high-quality sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services.

•Structural barriers, such as laws and policies requiring parental or partner consent, distance from facilities, costs of services and/or transportation, long wait times for services, inconvenient hours, lack of necessary commodities at health facilities, and lack of privacy and confidentiality.

•Sociocultural barriers, such as restrictive norms and stigma around adolescent and youth sexuality; inequitable or harmful gender norms; and discrimination and judgment by communities, families, partners, and providers.

•Individual barriers, such as incomplete or incorrect knowledge of SRH, including myths and misconceptions around contraception; limited self-efficacy and individual agency; constrained ability to navigate internalized social and gender norms; and lack of access to information about what SRH services are available and where to seek services.

What Are the Benefits?

1.) Facilitates youth access to and satisfaction with services

2.) Institutionalizes use of AYFHS standards in routine MOH quality improvement/assurance supervisory visits

3.) Delivers higher-quality SRH services to youth

4.) Empowers health providers to be advocates for youth

5.) Encourages future health-seeking behavior among youth.

Characteristics of Youth-Friendly Programming

 Youth feedback is sought and incorporated continuously.

 Affordable fees

 Boys and young men welcomed and served

 Wide range of services available including pregnancy and birth control counseling, HIV and other STI testing and treatment.

 Use of numbers instead of names in the waiting room

 System to "red‐flag" youth with particular confidentiality concerns.

 Flexible hours; offering lunch, evening, and weekend appointments.

 Well‐established mechanism to allow for slightly longer visits with adolescents.

 Use of first names by all clinic staff to make the environment more informal and welcoming.

 Walk‐in clients welcomed and appointments arranged rapidly.

 Participation in the federal 3408 drug discount purchasing program.

 Well‐established linkages and referrals to mental health, education, employment and social services.

 System in place to provide continuous support to staff who work with young clients so that they remain comfortable and confident addressing their needs and concerns.

 Procedures in place for gathering staff opinions on the quality of adolescent services provided.

 Well established protocol to ensure that youth receive preventive counseling as recommend by the American Medical Association’s Guidelines for Adolescent Preventive Services (GAPS).

 Mechanism in place to make referral appointments for youth and ensure they know exactly where and when to go.

 Staff who can communicate with youth in their own language. Enforcement of translation service protocols.

 Well established protocol so adolescents are asked for the most appropriate contact information rather than their home contact details.

 System in place to keep providers up to date on contraceptive technology and provide

opportunities for refresher training to update their skills and knowledge.

 Well established protocols to ensure health providers remember to ask about risk‐taking

behavior, including unprotected sex, substance use, and violence, as well as about issues related to mental health.

Characteristics of Youth-Friendly Providers

 Familiarity with adolescent physiology and development.

 Knowledge of appropriate medical options for adolescents according to age and maturity.

 Trained on counseling.

 Trained on working with and serving youth

 Skills to communicate fluently in the youth language.

 Effective interpersonal skills.

 Ability to relate to youth in a respectful manner.

 Skills to honor privacy and confidentiality of youth.

 Knowledge of mandatory reporting requirements.

 Skills to engage in conversations about body image and development, sex, relationships, contraceptive method options, and gender norms.

 Skills to bring myths to the surface, to discuss and dispel them.

 Skills to take and/or update sexual health assessment at every visit.

 Ability to explain to adolescents the reason for a particular test and what is involved.

 Knowledge about parental consent regulations.

 Skills to know how to emphasize the protections of confidentiality.

 Clear understanding of the state's law on informed consent and confidentiality in regards to a) contraceptive services; b) HIV and other STI testing and treatment; d) substance abuse treatment; and e) mental health care.

 Everyday practice of staff to provide adolescents a slip of paper with their correctly spelled diagnosis and medications, if applicable.

 Competent in providing referral advice.

 Understanding and access to the latest information/publications relating to adolescents' sexual and reproductive health.

 Access to medical guidelines and protocols relating to service delivery for adolescents.

THE CONSTITUTION OF THE AMPLIFIERS YOUTH ORGANIZATION (TAYO) THE AMPLIFIERS YOUTH ORGANIZATION

THE CONSTITUTION OF THE AMPLIFIERS YOUTH ORGANIZATION (TAYO)

(MOMBASA, KENYA) 2021

PREAMBLE

AWARE of the high rate of unemployed youth and poor Sexual and Reproductive Health among them(youth) which is due to insufficient job opportunities, inadequate skills and lack of proper investments on Sexual and Reproductive Health.

NOTING that the same youth are termed as the present and the future of any nation in this world.

HAVING REALISED THAT the youth face challenges peculiar to them.

WHEREAS many youth have been trying to come up with ways to address the unemployment and also advocacy done to push for more allocations for Sexual and Reproductive Health, less concentration and efforts have been applied on the same.

REALISING THAT unemployment, poor Sexual and Reproductive Health, lack of platforms to nurture and develop their talents and poor leadership hinder their efforts.

NOTING THAT more efforts need to be chipped in for the betterment of the youth.

CONVINCED THAT in our capacity we can better address the plight of the youth by empowering them economically, advocate for the betterment of Sexual and Reproductive Health, create and look for platforms for them to showcase and develop their talents and also promote democracy and good governance as an organization. We the several members whose names are subscribed hereunder attached do constitute ourselves into The Amplifiers Youth Organization (TAYO).

NOW THEREFORE, as the members of the The Amplifiers Youth Organization(TAYO) hereby adopt and bind ourselves and posterity with this constitution as the supreme law of the organization.

ARTICLE 1: NAME AND LOCATION

1.1 The name of the organization shall be The Amplifiers Youth Organization (TAYO) hereinafter referred to as the organization.

1.2 The Organization shall be non-profit making, non-partisan and non-religious denominational.

1.3 The organization shall be deemed to have come into force after registration.

ARTICLE 2: VISION & MISSION OF THE ORGANISATION

2.1 VISION

To have a community of healthy youth who can fully explore their potentials and lead in development agendas.

2.2 MISSION

To contribute to improved sexual and reproductive health of the youth, the minorities and create an enabling environment for them to persue and venture into what they are good at.

2.3 MOTTO

"Amplifying youth issues with community interests at the core"

2.4 VALUES

Transparency
Intergrity
Team work
Discpline
Hardwork
Respect for diversity

ARTICLE 3: OBJECTIVES OF THE ORGANISATION.

3.1.1 To improve the sexual and reproductive health of the youth and the minority through advocating for policies and budgets and also partnerships with other organizations and the government.

3.1.2 To increasing the number of youth taking up their civic rights by capacity building them.

3.1.3 To nurture and promote youth talents by creating and finding plartforms and partnerships for them to showcase their talents and make a living.

3.1.4 To increase the number of youth with employerble skills by linking them with TVETs, colleges, government and other partner opportunities for them to gain skills.

3.1.5 To increase collaboration plans with other organizations, bodies or individuals whether national or international but having advocacy strategies for the similar cause as laid herein.

3.1. THEMATIC AREAS.

3.2.1 Economic Empowerement for the youth.

3.2.2 Sexual and Reproductive Health advocacy. 3.2.3 Nurturing and development of talents.

3.2.4 Democracy and good governance.

ARTICLE 4: MEMBERSHIP.

4.1 A person shall qualify for membership if;

(a) He/she is an adolescent, young person and a youth.

(b) He/she is of sound mind.

(c) He/she subscribes to the objectives of the organization.

ARTICLE 5: GENERAL DUTIES OF MEMBERS

5.1 Every member of the organization shall;

(a) Pay a membership fee that shall be determined from time to time by the General Assembly.

(b) Pay an annual subscription fee that shall be determined from time to time by the General Assembly.

(c) Comply with the provisions of this constitution and resolutions of the Executive committee and General Assembly.

(d) Promote, develop, implement and protect the interests of the organization.

(e) Meet all the obligations as shall be from time to time be determined by the organizations.

(f) Do such work as shall be assigned to him or her by the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE 6: CESSATION OF MEMBERSHIP

6.1 A person shall cease to be a member of the organization if he/she;

(a) Dies,

(b) Resigns,

(c) Is certified to be of unsound mind by a recognized medical practitioner.

(d) Is expelled from the organization provided that members shall not be expelled unless the Executive committee has heard and given written warning.

ARTICLE 7: DISCIPLINE OF MEMBERS

7.1 The executive committee shall have powers to suspend any member from the organization if such a member acts and/or conducts himself in a manner prejudicial to the interests of the organization.

7.2 The duration of such suspension shall be at the discretion of the executive committee provided it shall be reasonable in the circumstances. 7.3 The suspended member shall have the right to appeal to the General assembly within three (3) weeks from the date of the decision of the executive committee.

7.4 The General Assembly shall have powers to reinstate, further suspend or expel such a person.

ARTICLE 8: ORGANS OF THE ORGANIZATION

8.1 The organs of the organization shall be;

(a) The General Assembly.

(b) The Executive Committee.

8.2 The General Assembly shall be the over all governing body of the organization.

8.3 There shall be a patron of the organization who shall be a person of high moral standing, integrity and competent as the members of the organization shall determine.

8.4 The patron shall be an ex-officio on the Executive Committee and General Assembly.

ARTICLE 9: COMPOSITION, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

9.1 There shall be an executive committee of the organization comprising of the Following positions;

(a) Chairperson

(b) Deputy Chairperson

(c) Secretary

(d) Treasurer

(e) Publicity Secretary

(f) Patron (Ex-Officio)

9.2 The Executive Committee shall have the following duties;

(a) Act for and on behalf of the organization in its day-to-day operation.

(b) Implement and execute decisions and policies passed by the General Assembly.

(c) Discuss and decide on all important matters affecting the organization and bear collective responsibilities of all such matters discussed and agreed upon.

(d) Mobilize and manage organization funds and finances.

(e) Establish sub committees from it to carry out specific functions.

(f) Have powers to suspend any of their members and fill vacancies in the executive committee.

9.3 The Chairperson shall;

(a) Be the overall administrative head of the organization.

(b) Call and preside over all executive committee meetings and the General Assembly.

(c) Summon all emergency meetings of the organization whenever deemed fit.

(d) Coordinate all the activities of the executive committee.

(e) Be the principal signatory to the organization bank account.

9.4 The deputy chairperson shall;

(a) Perform the chairperson's duties in his absence apart from withdrawing money on the bank account.

(b) Perform such other duties as may be assigned to him by the executive committee or General Assembly.

9.5 The treasurer shall;

(a) Present audited accounts and financial reports at annual general assembly meetings.

(b) Be responsible for the finances of the organization.

(c) Perform such duties as may be assigned to him by the executive committee or General Assembly.

(d) Keep proper books of accounts preserve the books and make them available for inspection by those authorized to do so.

(e) Receive and disburse money belonging to TAYO and shall obtain receipts for all money paid out by him.

(f) Collect all subscription fees, membership contributions to the capital fund and all other money to which TAYO is entitled.

(g) Deposit cash and cheques of TAYO to the bank.

(h) Be a mandatory signatory to all financial documents of the organization.

9.6 The Secretary shall;

(a) Keep up-to-date register of all member of TAYO.

(b) Give notice of meeting.

(c) Take and keep records of all meetings.

(d) Perform other duties as maybe assigned by the Executive Committee or General Assembly.

(e) Signatory to the organization bank account.

9.7 The publicity secretary shall;

(a) Sensitize and market the organization.

(b) Pass information to concerned members of the organization as per the scheduled meetings.

(c) Play the role of publicity and public relations.

ARTICLE 10: APPOINTMENT TO OFFICE

10.1 The office bearer assume office through appointment by the Chairperson with approval from the General Assembly. For one to be appointed in an office Must;

Posses a good image and character from the society.
Have passion and track record with community works.

Have volunteered for TAYO atleast 6 months.
Be able to work under minimal supervision.
Be open to learn and adopt new ideas.
Be a youth under the constitution of Kenya.

ARTICLE 12: THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

12.1 The General Assembly shall have the following;

(a) Receiving and approving reports from the chairperson of the Executive committee on the activities of the organization for the previous year.

(b) Receiving annual reports on projects.

(c) Receiving and approving audited financial reports from the treasurer.

(d) Deliberating any issue, which may be raised by the members.

12.2 Attendance at the General Assembly;

The annual general assembly shall be attended by;

(a) Members of the executive committee.

(b) All registered members of the organization.

(c) Any persons or organizations that may be sharing aspirations with the organization and are sympathetic to the aims and objectives of the organization at invitation of the Executive Committee.

12.3 Extraordinary General Assembly;

An extraordinary meeting of the general assembly to conduct urgent business may be convened by;

(a) The chairperson of the Executive Committee.

(b) The quorum at the extraordinary general assembly shall be one third of the registered members of the organization.

(c) Subject to the provisions of this constitution, the extraordinary general assembly may regulate its own procedures.

ARTICLE 13: SOURCES OF FUNDS

The funding sources of the organization shall include but not limited to the following;

(a) Money contributed by members.

(b) Money accruing from fundraising activities.

(c) Donations from donors and beneficiaries.

(d) Loans.

(e) Government and its line ministries.

(f) Profits from output sales.

(g) 10% deducted from activities.

(h) Any other lawful source.

ARTICLE 14: BANK ACCOUNT

14.1. Bank account(s) of the organization shall be opened with any bank agreed upon by the Executive Committee. The same members may further decide on such other financial institutions deemed fit.

14.2. Except as may otherwise be authorized by the General Assembly, the following Executive Committee members shall each, be signatories to the organizations bank account(s) at any material withdrawal.

(a) The Chairpersons.

(b) The Secretary

(c) The Treasurer.

14.3. In the event of an intention to withdraw money exceeding Kenyan Shillings 50,000 or its equivalent, 2/3 of the Executive Committee shall have to first approve such.

14.4. Unless as may otherwise be authorized by the Executive Committee, the Treasurer shall not keep in either his official or personal custody any organization money received or not spent for a period exceeding five working days.

ARTICLE 15: THE ORGANIZATION SEAL

15.1 There shall be a seal for the organization the design of which shall be approved by the Executive Committee.

15.2 The seal shall be kept by the Secretary of the organization and shall be used by the Executive Committee to authenticate the official documents of the organization or documents to which the organization is party by its duly authorized officer(s).

ARTICLE 16: AMENDMENTS

16.1 A member wishing to propose any amendment to this constitution shall give notice of such proposal by sending it to the secretary of the Executive committee at least two months before the meeting of the General Assembly.

16.2 On receipt of such proposal, the secretary shall circulate copies of the same to all members.

16.3 An amendment shall be affected by a majority vote of two thirds of the members present but entitled to vote.

ARTICLE 17: DISSOLUTION

17.1 In the event of an admission that the objectives of the organization have failed to be attained by two thirds of the registered members, any member may upon such a basis move a motion of dissolution during the General Assembly.

17.2 Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the matter of dissolution shall only be affected if the motion is duly debated and carried by three quarters of the registered members provided that the proposal to move such a motion shall have been included on the agenda.

17.3 In the event of dissolution and after settlement of the liabilities of the organization, the General Assembly shall appoint a caretaker committee to dispose off the assets of the organization in a manner to be determined by the General Assembly.

ARTICLE 18: INTERPRETATION

18.1. Any disputing arising out of the interpretation of this constitution that may fail to be settled by the Executive Committee or the assembly shall be referred to a group of five competent and eminent persons to be appointed by the General Assembly.

18.2. In this constitution unless the context otherwise requires, any references to the male sex includes the female sex.

We the members of TAYO do hereby adopt this Constitution and agree to be bound by the terms contained here in above by countersigning on our respective names and titles.

NAME TITLE SIGN.

Prepared by;

The Members Changamwe Subcounty,

Mombasa County.

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THE AMPLIFIERS YOUTH ORGANIZATION (TAYO)

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