Key steps to prepare your organization for Y2TEC include:
1. Assess your population. Review EMR data and other relevant data to develop an understanding of the number of young people you serve, whether they are engaged in care, or viral suppression status, along with other relevant information. Check out the Resources section to access culturally competent resources for working with young people.
2. Assess technology access among priority populations. Early in the planning stage for Y2TEC, it can be helpful to develop a better understanding of technology access and text messaging usage in your community. This process with help prevent barriers to implementation related to technology usage.
- To assess technology access and texting usage, the planning team should aim to interview or hold focus groups with community advisory boards, clients, and community leaders. Find sample interview guides and focus group questionnaires in the Y2TEC Manual.
- Lessons learned in developing and/or adapting telehealth guidelines: Overcoming Tech Challenges Article
Telehealth best practice guidance:
- Telehealth Best Practice Guidance Documents via BBS, Board of Behavioral Sciences.
- Telemental Health: Legal Considerations for Social Workers via NASW, National Association of Social Workers.
- Getting Started with Telehealth via California Telehealth Resource Center.
3. Organizing a Youth Advisory Panel (YAP). Setting up a YAP provides an opportunity to get valuable feedback from your target population. We have sample resources below to assist you in creating a YAP for your program.
- YAP dear provider example recruitment letter (download)
- YAP recruitment sample flyer (download)
- YAP example presentation (ppt) (download)
4. Assess client needs to develop session topics for video-counseling menu sessions. While the first core Y2TEC session topics are pre-set, organizations may choose to tailor the menu of topic options available to clients after the core sessions are completed (see the list of core and sample menu sessions in the Y2TEC Manual - download). To determine the types of topics that will be most relevant to client's needs, organizations can:
- Consult with their community advisory board(s)
- Talk with your organization’s mental health providers, social workers, peer navigators, and other relevant staff about common topics or challenges for their clients
- Work with local community organizations
- Interview potential clients