The California Adolescent Health Collaborative (AHC) is a public-private partnership formed in 1996, currently including representatives from over 60 organizations and agencies. The goal of the AHC is to mobilize forces across the state to improve adolescent health and well-being. To set a direction for these efforts, the AHC completed the California Adolescent Health Strategic Plan in April 2000. This document outlines recommendations and strategies to move policy development at the state and local levels in three major directions:

• Making youth a policy priority
  
• Creating supports and opportunities for all youth; and
  
• Improving services and service systems.

The CMA Foundation sits on the 16 member Steering Committee. Robert D. Sparks, MD is our representative on the Steering Committee. Dr. Sparks in the retired CEO and President of the CMA Foundation

The AHC is currently working on issues involving mental health, utilization of health services and budget issues.

For more information regarding the Adolescent Health Collaborative, go to their website at: www.californiateenhealth.org