Our Services, Our Way

Join young parent leaders Azar Webb and Blanca Goetz in a discussion with researcher Asari Offiong on the ways in which service providers can create a supportive, youth-friendly environment that empower young people to access sexual and reproductive health care, especially those who are involved in foster care or the legal systems. They also share tips on how young people can advocate for themselves when receiving sexual and reproductive health services. Join the discussion!

Asari Offiong, PhD, MPH is a Senior Research Scientist at Child Trends within the Sexual and Reproductive Health area. As an adolescent health researcher and public health practitioner, she has over a decade of experience in leading youth development programs and conducting mixed methods, community-based participatory research in urban settings. Dr. Offiong applies a strengths-based and youth-centered approach to research, including interests in reengaging opportunity youth (youth disconnected from school and work), preventing early substance use, and promoting positive sexual and reproductive health among the most vulnerable, including expecting and parenting youth.

Azar Webb began his local and state advocacy journey over 10 years ago as a Youth Advocate Leader for Project Everlast in Omaha, Nebraska. Azar demonstrated his leadership while advocating for foster youth, educating foster parents, Senators, judges, and other stakeholders, and supporting youth and young adults in identifying and obtaining safe and stable housing. In 2015, Azar became a Jim Casey Fellow. In addition to being an advocate, Azar received his Associate of Architectural Design from Metro Community College in Nebraska and has a successful career as an architect. In 2016, he filed and won a court case against the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services for wrongful termination of his medicaid coverage, impacting health care coverage for youth in foster care in Nebraska.  Azar is a father of two children and believes more programs and services should support healthy co-parenting.

Blanca Goetz is a young parent leader from Rhode Island, working to improve outcomes for youth and young parents impacted by the child welfare system. She has spent over a decade pushing for stronger policies, programs, and services both locally and nationally. Blanca is a published author, and has played a key role in expanding the age limit for foster care in Rhode Island, and helped pass critical legislation through her work with a local youth board.

Resources:

1. Center for Interdisciplinary Inquiry and Innovation in Sexual and Reproductive Health (Ci3): A research center at the University of Chicago focused on providing high-quality resources for young people to make informed decisions about their bodies. Their work combines design, storytelling, gaming, policy, and research, all co-designed with youth to promote empowerment and systemic change. 
2. Youth Law Center: Offers information and resources regarding laws and policies that protect young people’s health privacy rights. They assist youth, families, and service providers in navigating conversations about consent, confidentiality, and information sharing, including specific resources for reproductive health care access for youth in foster care. 
3. Guttmacher Institute-Interactive Map: US Abortion Policies and Access After Roe: A key resource featuring an interactive map to explore state laws and U.S. abortion policies and access after Roe v. Wade, providing valuable insights into reproductive health access across the country.
4. Planned Parenthood: Book an Appointment for STD testing, birth control, abortion, and more, in-person and online. ​Learn more about how to find abortion providers and resources to help you get safe, legal abortion.