The SHADE is a peer provider clinic, meaning that teens are providing reproductive health services to other teens. Total services that are provided by teen counselors, nurse practitioners and physicians include pregnancy testing and counseling, STD testing, birth control, reproductive health exams for females and males, outreach and educational presentations.

The SHADE is one of only five teen clinics in the state of California funded by The California Wellness Foundation. The others are in San Diego, Orange County, San Luis Obispo and San Francisco. This is a unique endeavor.

A grand opening event will occur on Wednesday, June 26 between 12 noon and 2 p.m. at the West Modesto Community Center at 401 E. Paradise Road in Modesto (in the Save Mart shopping plaza). Music, a live radio remote with KWNN, food, games, prizes and tours of the teen clinic will flavor the afternoon. Teen staff member will be present.

Media information – staff will be available for interviews and photo opportunities between 11 a.m. and 12 noon before the festivities begin. Staff will be available during the festivities as available. The SHADE clinic has and environment created for a teen audience with inflatable chairs and palm trees, current music, etc.

Teen peer providers have been trained in all aspects of family planning and have been certified by the California Family Health Council as Family Planning Health Care Workers and by The California Wellness Foundation as Peer Provider Counselors. All the peer providers are students attending Modesto High School. The SHADE will also be open every Wednesday from 3:00-7:00 PM in addition to its Saturday hours of 11 a.m to 3 p.m. Teens can just show up to see a provider or they can schedule appointments by calling (209)558-7000.

According to Kristin McKibben, a peer provider at the new teen clinic,“I want to make a difference in the community. If we don’t, who will?” Gilbert Ramos, another teen provider stated,“It will give me experience I can use in the future.”

The Stanislaus County Health Services Agency (HSA) is an outpatient medical system with 10 medical offices located throughout Stanislaus County. The HSA operates the Public Health Department, an Urgent Care Center and multiple programs serving over 500,000 patients and clients each year in Stanislaus County. The HSA also is in local partnerships for the MOMobile project and the Stanislaus Family Practice Residency Program. The HSA has extensive