Sunday, December 22, 2024
12/22/2024
Tourette Syndrome (TS) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by involuntary motor and vocal tics. 1 in 50 school children ages 5-14 has TS or another persistent Tic Disorder. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 50% of children with TS go undiagnosed. Furthermore, five in six children with TS will have a neuropsychiatric co-occurring condition, including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). According to the Tourette Association of America (TAA)’s 2022 Impact Survey, 50% of children with TS have felt discriminated against and 23% reported they had considered suicide; additionally, 30% of caregivers struggle to cover the high cost of medical and educational services needed for their child. There are many barriers that exist for individuals with TS and their families in seeking quality medical care and educational support. Evaluating and treating TS is complex due to the differences in symptoms and co-occurring conditions between individuals. Thus, it is essential to increase awareness and understanding among families, communities, healthcare providers, and educators of how TS and related co-occurring conditions can impact all areas of life. The national Tourette Association of America (TAA) is currently in its twentieth year of partnership with the CDC under the Implementing Evidence-Based Health Promotion Programs for Children with TS model and is applying for continued partnership under Category B: Implementing Evidence-Based Health Promotion Programs for TS. Founded in 1972 in Bayside, New York, the TAA is dedicated to making life better for those affected by Tourette Syndrome and Tic Disorders. As the premier nationwide organization serving this community, TAA works to raise awareness, fund research, and provide on-going support. Through this partnership, the TAA will continue to provide evidence-based information, resources, and services to individuals with TS, their families/communities, as well as strengthen capacity among healthcare providers and educators to support the needs of persons with TS as well as individuals underserved by TS resources/supports. TAA will continue to add to an extensive collection of professional education and outreach programs developed and implemented during the previous twentieth years of this partnership. TAA will focus on building capacity and providing constituent-informed programming and will monitor and evaluate program implementation to ensure that outcomes are being met for continuous program improvement and are addressing racial/ethnic and geographic disparities. Proposed activities aim to increase knowledge of TS symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment among individuals with TS, healthcare, educators; increase satisfaction among the TS community that TAA resources, tools, and supports meets their needs; and increase capacity of healthcare providers and educators to provide appropriate supports for individuals with TS. TAA recognizes that reinforcing local and national linkages between TAA, TS Centers of Excellence, professional organizations, and the TS community can amplify the program’s reach and efficacy. The TAA will use evidence-based approaches and communication channels to reach populations of focus, including individuals from racial/ethnic communities underserved by TS resources and supports. TAA aims to improve the health and wellbeing of all persons with TS, and better equip families, communities, healthcare providers and educators to support individuals with TS and improve overall quality of life.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).