Introduction

Transition is the term used to describe the process by which adolescents move into adulthood. Transition encompasses ALL facets of adult life, including healthcare, education, employment, socialization and recreation. The goal of transition is for adolescents to move toward independence. Remember:

 transition is a process, not an event
 the transition process should begin early
 the adolescent and his/her family should be involved in all decisions  providers and parents should prepare to facilitate change
 coordination of services and providers is essential

This toolkit was compiled to share resources with providers and practices that are looking to improve the purposeful, planned transition from pediatric to adult healthcare for their adolescent patients. This toolkit also highlights lessons learned from a performance improvement project piloted at River Hills Community Health Center in Southeast Iowa. Optimal health care is achieved when each person, at every age, receives medically and developmentally appropriate care. That includes ensuring that high-quality services are available in an uninterrupted manner as the person moves from adolescence to adulthood. The goal of a planned health care transition is to maximize lifelong functioning and well-being for all youth.

Community Health Centers serve as the medical home for many young patients in Iowa. In fact, children and young adults, ages 0 to 34, make up 60% of the safety net patient population. Therefore, providers in these settings play a critical role in supporting adolescents during this period of rapid change and growing independence. FQHCs are uniquely positioned to support the most vulnerable youth in the communities they serve. By preparing adolescents for the adult healthcare environment and empowering youth to take responsibility for their own care, providers can facilitate a smooth transition from pediatric to adult systems.