Improving Adolescent Health and Well-Being Through School-Based Surveillance and the What Works in Schools Program (Round 2)

forecasted

Schools are an ideal setting to foster healthy behaviors and to prevent and buffer the impact of adverse experiences. This NOFO will aim to improve the health and well-being of youth by supporting local education agencies in implementing CDC’s What Works in Schools program, and collecting and using school-based surveillance data. The What Works in Schools program is a proven approach that builds schools’ capacity to:Provide quality health educationConnect students to health services, including mental and behavioral health servicesCreate safe and supportive environmentsThe program strategies have been linked to reductions in sexual risk behaviors, experiences of violence, and substance use, and improvements in mental health for students.With some youth experiencing higher levels of violence, emotional distress, and suicidality, the population-level impact of this program is key for improving well-being and reducing disparities. Funding will also support the collection and use of school-based surveillance data. These data, collected through the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) and School Health Profiles (Profiles), will help assess needs to improve adolescent health, track behaviors and experiences over time, and understand the impact of programs and policies.This NOFO will include three components:Component 1: Local implementation of What Works in Schools and school-based surveillanceComponent 2: Consortia support of What Works in Schools and school-based surveillanceComponent 3: State, territorial, and tribal school-based surveillance