• history

  • The DCYHC has been a vital community resource and asset since it began. Its vision has always been to promote the health and well-being of youth, which in turn yields a healthy and dynamic community of responsible adults."

    -Carol Forest, DCYHC Founding Director

  • The Daly City Youth Health Center (DCYHC) is a school-linked program of the Jefferson Union High School District (JUHSD), with year-round health and youth development programming for in and out of school youth ages 12-24. Our clinic is a satellite facility of the San Mateo Medical Center (SMMC). The Health Center was founded in 1990 following the completion of a youth health needs assessment conducted by local community members. The needs assessment demonstrated significant disparities in the health status and ability to access health services among low-income teens in Daly City. DCYHC started as a safety net primary care clinic in a small office serving 100-150 teens per month sprouted into a comprehensive health and youth development program serving over 600 teens per month.

    We have learned that many of the teens we work with have complex problems and needs that require a range of creative solutions, interventions and options. Our youth often struggle with English language acquisition, learning disabilities, unplanned pregnancy, domestic violence, alcohol/drug abuse, unemployment, crowded housing and a lack of health insurance. Since the opening of our clinic, we have launched three carefully designed major programs to address these complex problems and needs. These programs are: Behavioral Health Counseling Services (established 1993); Project PLAY (Peer Leadership Alternatives for Youth), a reproductive health education program (established 1996); and Elements for Success (Elements), a school-to-career/college transition program (established 2002).

     

  • mission



    Daly City Youth Health Center provides safe, respectful, comprehensive health services
    to underserved teens and young adults, preparing them for a healthy adulthood.




    core values

     

    We believe access to healthcare is a right of every person.

    We value diversity and respect differences.

    We offer the highest quality services and work toward continual improvement.

    We believe teens and young adults are resilient and capable of making positive, informed decisions.

    We provide safe, respectful, non-judgmental and confidential services in a safe, welcoming and warm environment

    We empower clients with knowledge and help them gain confidence to advocate for themselves.

    We provide client-centered, compassionate care and build meaningful connections and relationships.

    We value partnerships and collaboration with each other, the community and our youth.

    We believe that what we do can make a lasting, positive difference in the lives of the teens and young adults we serve.

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