Applications are now open for the Public Health Youth Ambassador Program's Fall 2025 cohort.
The Public Health Youth Ambassador Program (PHYAP) trains 10th through 12th grade high school students across Fairfax County about methods to reduce opioid use, teen mental health issues, and becoming a Community Health Worker. PHYAP provides certifications from two nationally-known public health institutions (Morehouse College and George Mason University) in each of those areas during its Fall and Spring cohorts.
Since PHYAP’s inception, the program is proud to have partnered with three outstanding Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), where our Community Health Worker curriculum is offered during day sessions: John R. Lewis High School, Justice High School, and Mount Vernon High School. Students who qualify can take part in lessons and hands-on activities led by trained PHYAP facilitators three days a week during their advisory period.
For high-school aged students who do not attend Lewis, Mount Vernon, or Justice but wish to become a Youth Ambassador, program sessions are offered outside of regular class hours at the Fairfax County Government Center. Evening classes are held Monday through Thursday each week, while our weekend class is held each Saturday morning. Whether a student attends private school, a faith-based school, is homeschooled, or goes to a non-partner Fairfax County Public School, they have the chance to jumpstart their secondary school and career engagement in the expanding community health field.
Justice High School graduate Nayla Bonilla Mendez recently shared her takeaways from the program. She said, “PHYAP helped to solidify my passion for public health, while giving me a unique perspective as a first-generation student navigating the education system. Through the program’s training, I learned about the importance of public health and its subcomponents, which allowed me to create a passion project addressing an issue that I felt was affecting my community." Today, is pursuing a public health degree at William and Mary University, and stays involved in the program, as a member of the PHYAP Alumni Program. "The PHYAP has provided me with lasting connections with colleagues in the professional world.” Nayla adds.
The application deadline for the Fall 2025 cohort is 5:00pm p.m. on Thursday, August 28th.
Follow the link to learn more about the Public Health Youth Ambassador Program, including how to submit an application.