Saturday, October 12, 2024
10/12/2024
SAY Wellness Portland Public Schools - Improving Adolescent Health and Well-Being Through School-Based Surveillance and the What Works in Schools Program Portland Public Schools (PPS) is the largest school district in Oregon, serving over 44,000 students in 81 schools in the urban core of Multnomah County. Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) data show that while the rate of some health risks for PPS students are better than the national average, some risk behaviors and experiences remain too common - especially for female identified, LGBTQ+, and historically underserved students (1) of color. According to PPS’s 2021 high school YRBS data (2) and additional county and state sources, we have seen: --Female identified, LGBTQ+, and historically underserved students experiencing significantly higher levels of violence, substance use, poor mental health, and suicidality compared to their peers. --A significant increase in substance use and abuse, especially marijuana and opioids. --A decline in protective sexual behaviors, including condom use. --A rise in depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts and behaviors, with statistically significant differences between male and female identified students, Cis Hetero and LGBTQ+ students, and Historically and Not Historically Underserved students. PPS is a current CDC awardee for “Promoting Adolescent Health through School-Based HIV Prevention” (CDC-RFA-PS18-1807). PPS was additionally awarded Mental Health Supplement grants under PS18-1807 every year between 2020-2024. Finally, in 2023, PPS received SF-424 Health Equity Funding. This foundational experience will be brought to bear in the proposed CDC program, SAY Wellness, serving PPS students in grades K-12 with a particular focus on grades 6-12 and on populations disproportionately affected by health disparities. By utilizing the What Works in Schools program and with an increased focus on sexual health education, mental health, sexual health services and safe and supportive environments, PPS will continue to positively impact our students, and ultimately positively impact adolescent health behaviors and experiences. To support PPS’ 24,000 middle and high school students reaching adulthood in the healthiest possible way, SAY Wellness is a proposed Component 1 project. Under Component 1, SAY Wellness will: --Deliver high-quality skills-based health education --Increase access to needed health services, including behavioral and mental health services, and sexual and reproductive health services --Create safe and supportive school environments --Reduce disparities in adolescent risk behaviors and experiences --Foster engagement with youth, families, and communities --Engage in the collection and analysis of surveillance data at the school and district level through the implementation of the YRBS and School Health Profiles Footnote 1: PPS defines Historically Underserved as students identified as Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, Native American/Alaskan Native, Pacific Islander, Multi-Racial-Other Ancestries Footnote 2: 2021 YRBS Data, CDC
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).
