The Minnesota Partnership for Adolescent Health

In 2017-2018, The Minnesota Department of Health convened a group of stakeholders representing state, county, schools, community agencies, faith organizations and those working for and with young people to develop an action plan for adolescent and young adult health in Minnesota.

A small leadership team helped shape our path and process for engaging the diverse, multi-sectoral adolescent health community. Forty-five listening Sessions were conducted around the state with 323 adults and 139 young people in a variety of settings.

In these Listening Sessions, we worked towards consensus on our hopes and dreams for the health of Minnesota's youth and young adults. We documented supports for and barriers to that vision, then identified bold steps to build on those supports and move around barriers. Finally, another small leadership team helped MDH frame the recommendations, organize the actions and finalize language.

Adolescent Health Goals

The MN Department of Health is proud to have convened this Partnership. The creation of the plan, and the work to follow, serves to address overarching adolescent health goals. MDH is committed to sharing this call-to-action and eager to support the work of communities across Minnesota.

Improve the health and well-being of all adolescents and young adults (ages 10-25)

Build and maintain strong partnerships with those interested in the health and well-being of young people.

The Vision

Minnesota is a place where all young people thrive.

The Partnership uses this Vision to reflect our values, inspire action and engage new partners.

While the Partnership consists primarily of professional adults in the field, the perspectives of young people were a formative part of this plan. Throughout this intergenerational process, all parties acknowledged their roles:

• Systems, communities, and youth-serving professionals are responsible for creating opportunities
• Young people are responsible for acting on opportunities

Using this Action Plan

This collaboratively developed strategic plan was created to motivate, engage, and inspire action. It recognizes the important contributions and amazing ideas that exist across our great state.

Rather than proposing a formal, rigid set of recommendations, it is designed to support community-based efforts – whether led by health systems, youth-serving organizations or young people – with a unifying vision and collectively agreed-upon priorities.

In 2023, the Minnesota Partnership for Adolescent and Young Adult Health’s strategic plan underwent a review. While data and resources may have changed, the one that didn’t was the Partnership’s commitment to its vision: Minnesota is a place where all young people thrive.

Essential Themes and Priority Areas

Equitable and Supportive Systems

• Health Equity
• Supportive Systems

Access to high-quality teen-friendly health care and information

• Physical and Mental Health
• Health Literacy

Positive Connections with Supportive Adults

• Families and Caregivers
• Adults Who Understand

Safe and Secure Place to Live, Learn, and Play

• Supportive Schools and Communities Safe and Balanced Technology Use

Opportunities for Youth to Engage

• Youth Leadership and Engagement
• Out-of-School Time

Click here for a full copy of The Minnesota Partnership for Adolescent and Young Adult Health Strategic Plan (PDF).