Saturday, October 12, 2024
10/12/2024
For more than 20 years, the Prevention Research Center for Healthy Neighborhoods (PRCHN) at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) has worked collaboratively with local school districts to support the administration of the Cuyahoga County Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS). Data from this surveillance system has been used to monitor trends and patterns of behaviors in youth that impact health and academic outcomes. Local schools have used this data to drive programs, policies, and practices that advance health across the school community. We are excited to leverage this existing work to support a new initiative, the Cuyahoga County What Works in Schools Program (CC-WWIS). The purpose of CC-WWIS is to support evidence-based health education, access to health services, and the creation of safe and supportive environments for youth. Our work will be driven by local data and the provision of training and technical assistance opportunities to support implementation across our school communities. This work will occur in collaboration with more than 15 local school districts and be led by the PRCHN, the First Ring Schools Collaborative (FRSC), the Educational Service Center of Northeastern Ohio (ESC) and the Social Advocates for Youth (SAY) Coalition of the Bellefaire Jewish Children’s Bureau. Together, we will develop a cross-district collaborative to support the implementation of best practices. We will use local data to drive our process, including an annual needs assessment, YRBS administration, and the completion of School Health Profiles. We will also focus on peer led approaches that: support the development of school-based professionals to become trainers in evidence-based health education programs; and engage youth as leaders in efforts related to prevention and peer support. With some of the world’s best hospital systems, we intend to convene partners, across systems for physical and behavioral health to reduce barriers and support efficiencies to school-based care. We will support all youth, including those from racial, ethnic, sexual and gender minority groups, with a specific focus on supporting them as leaders in prevention. It is our goal to increase our collective capacity and sustainability to support the health of our school communities. We anticipate that an increase in the provision of evidence-based health education will result in more pro-health and pro-social knowledge and skills in youth. This should include decreases in substance use, sexual risk behaviors, experiences of violence, and poor mental health. An increase in access to health services, should result in more students engaging in care at school, better management of chronic disease and conditions, and less absenteeism. Finally, we anticipate that there will be improved perceptions of inclusion and connectedness across the school community.
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).
