Friday, October 4, 2024
10/4/2024
Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is requesting funding for Component 3: School-Based Surveillance to support the administration of the School Health Profiles in Minnesota. MDH is applying for funding on behalf of the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), as the agency has declined to apply for funding. MDH and MDE have a strong working partnership, and will collaborate on Improving Adolescent Health and Well-Being Through School-Based Surveillance and the What Works in Schools Program Component 3 as detailed in the Letter of Support included in this application. Minnesota has a long history of conducting school-based surveillance. In addition to implementing School Health Profiles biannually, Minnesota has administered the Minnesota Student Survey (MSS) since 1989. The MSS is a statewide survey of students administered every three years to students in the 5th, 8th, 9th, and 11th grades. All public school districts, as well as charter schools, tribal schools, nonpublic schools, alternative learning centers, and juvenile correctional facilities are invited to participate; historically, 70-99% of public school districts participate. The MSS is a collaboration of MDH and MDE, as well as the Minnesota Departments of Human Services and Public Safety. Together, School Health Profiles and the MSS provide critical information to MDH and MDE about student behaviors and health outcomes, and school health policies in order to inform statewide health strategies, policy development and funding priorities. While Minnesota is often ranked among the healthiest states in the nation, this accolade hides wide disparities in educational and health outcomes. During the 2023-2024 school year, Minnesota’s public school districts serve nearly 870,000 students. The majority of these students are White (61%), 12% are Black/African American, 11% are Hispanic/Latinx, 7% are Asian, 5% are two or more races, and 3% of students are American Indian/Alaskan Native. While the statewide 4-year high school graduation rate for White students 88%, the graduation for Black/African-American students is 73% and the graduation rate for American Indian/Alaskan Native students is 61%. These gaps are among the largest in the nation. Students who are Black/African American, Hispanic/Latinx, and American Indian were more likely to report negative health outcomes, unsafe conditions, and risky health behaviors compared to their White peers. Disparities in opportunities for good health and education threaten the wellbeing of Minnesota’s youth, and it is critical to examine the causes of these disparities in order to advance health and educational equity in the state. If funded MDH Center for Health Statistics will plan and administer the School Health Profiles surveys twice, convene an interdepartmental workgroup to problem-solve and disseminate findings, and evaluate both data collection cycles to identify areas for improvement. MDH and MDE will use School Health Profiles data together with MSS data to identify opportunities to advance health equity in the state, and will share data with partners across the state to support this goal.
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).
