Due to the conclusion of our grant funding, on January 7, 2022 CHAI will close our (virtual) doors—but our work will live on through our tremendously skilled partners.
Our primary care training program will continue to be delivered monthly and technical assistance consulting will be provided by Diana Parrish, LMSW at Parrish Affirming Care. Visit her website for details and reach her by e-mail at parrishaffirmingcare@gmail.com with questions about future training dates.
All trainings for mental health clinicians will continue to be available through our clinical partners. To review the trainings they have available and their contact information, visit this page.
Our wonderfully talented Action Committee members welcome opportunities to support community-focused projects working toward LGBTQIA+ affirming health. Visit their profiles to see their unique skills and interests:
Gel Henry—interested in harm reduction and LGBTQIA+ health
Kiandra Powdhar—interested in public health, especially global health
Christian Stephenson—interested in affirming medical care
Jack Alferio—interested in serving on panels and focus groups related to LGBTQIA+ health
Health information resources developed throughout our project are available at lgbtqiamidwest.org which will be maintained by the Resilience + Resistance Collective at the University of Michigan School of Public Health.
Our community partners (listed below) continue to do impactful work for LGBTQIA+ adolescents in Washtenaw County.
The Community Heath Access Initiative
To support and improve LGBTQ+ young people’s health and well-being in inclusive and affirming ways by bolstering their resilience and increasing access to health care through provider education and training.
Our Mission
From 2018 - 2021 CHAI was a coalition of community organizations (listed below), youth, and academic partners offering a free training and technical assistance program to improve the health and well-being of LGBTQ+ youth in Washtenaw County, MI. CHAI was focused on improving mental health and substance use outcomes among LGBTQ+ youth by increasing access to inclusive and affirming health care. University partners represented various departments and are experts in psychology, social work, psychiatry and LGBTQ+ physical and mental health.
CHAI was an adaptation of the Health Access Initiative (HAI), a training and technical assistance program developed by Michigan Forward in Enhancing Research and Community Equity (MFierce).
To learn more about MFierce, please visit www.mfierce.org.
“Truly collaborative! LGBTQ+ focused and community driven.”
— CHAI Coalition Member
CHAI Action Committee
A diverse group of six LGBTQ+ young adults who are an integral part of the CHAI Coalition. Members of the Action Committee help develop and direct the CHAI training program, create health resources, provide health education and training in our communities, and volunteer at community events. They are: Sydney Michalowski, Kiandra Powdhar, Christian Stephenson, Bella Gierlinger, Gel Henry, and Jack Alferio.
Community Partners
The Adolescent Health Initiative (AHI) at Michigan Medicine began with a multidisciplinary group of health care professionals who shared a vision for improving the quality of care provided to adolescents not only within Michigan Medicine, but across the country. With initial support from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, AHI transitioned from an inspired idea to a nationally recognized organization. They currently work with primary care, school-based health, and youth-serving organizations across 40 states. Their goal is to to advance innovative adolescent-centered health care through practice improvement, education, research, and youth and community engagement.
WEBSITE
Corner Health Center offers a full range of health care, mental health, and supportive services for young people as they transition to adulthood. Corner staff—including physicians, nurses, psychiatrists, social workers, nutritionists, and health educators—are well versed in young people's unique needs. Services are provided to young people regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay for care. Their mission is to provide judgment-free, high-quality, affordable health services to young people aged 12 through 25.
PHONE
WEBSITE
Michigan Organization on Adolescent Sexual Health (MOASH) mobilizes youth voices, engages community partners, and informs decision-makers to advance sexual health, identities, and rights. MOASH envisions a society that respects and celebrates youth identities, advocacy, and informed choices.
WEBSITE
Ozone House is a community-based, nonprofit agency that helps young people lead safe, healthy, and productive lives through intensive intervention and prevention services. Since 1969, we have actively developed unique, high-quality housing and support programs and services that provide support, intervention, training, and assistance to runaway, homeless, and high-risk youth and their families. Through these support services, we help youth develop essential life skills, improve their relationships, and enhance their self-image so that they may realize their full potential for growth and happiness.
WEBSITE
The Regional Alliance for Healthy Schools (RAHS) at Michigan Medicine provides fully comprehensive school-based health center programs and clinical services that improve the well-being of students, their families, and communities. Youth receive high quality physical, emotional, and preventive healthcare services in an easily accessible, supportive, and youth-friendly environment. RAHS school-based health centers are open to all school-aged youth 21 years old and younger in the community at large. You do not need to be a registered student at these schools to receive services. We accept insured and uninsured patients, regardless of ability to pay.
WEBSITE
The Neutral Zone is a diverse, youth-driven teen center dedicated to promoting personal growth through artistic expression, community leadership and the exchange of ideas.
WEBSITE
Unified is a nationally recognized multi-service center creating positive change through regional impact, innovation and sustainability to promote HIV health and beyond. Unified uses innovative approaches to help residents of Southeast Michigan living with or affected by HIV achieve optimal health through compassionate direct care, support services, prevention and education. Unified has a commitment to being an effective and powerful voice, providing leadership and advocacy for the communities they serve.
WEBSITE
The Washtenaw County Health Department promotes health and works to prevent disease and injury for all in our community. Their mission is to assure, in partnership with the community, the conditions necessary for people to live healthy lives through prevention and protection programs. Washtenaw County Health Department plays a critical role in all of our lives and exists to provide our community with the tools, information, resources and opportunities to make and support positive health changes for all.
WEBSITE
CHAI is a project of the Resilience + Resistance Collective at the University of Michigan School of Public Health.
