Department Resources

PHYAP Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome parents to our FAQ page! Here, you'll find answers to the most common questions about the Public Health Youth Ambassador Program. We've covered everything from What It's About to How to Apply to ensure you have all the information you need.

Applications for the Spring 2026 cohort are NOW being accepted

The Public Health Youth Ambassador Program (PHYAP) is a federally-funded program through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of Minority Health (OMH), that is administered and run by the Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD).

The core purpose behind PHYAP is introducing Fairfax County high school students in the 10th through 12th grade to career and secondary school opportunities within the wide world of Community Health by providing them with the curriculum, education, and networking exposure that will empower them to reach affiliated goals across either realm.

Students who, successfully, complete PHYAP’s core requirements for graduation may receive a NEW Chrome laptop*, a $500 gift certificate, and certifications from two nationally-recognized healthcare institutions: the Morehouse School of Medicine and the George Mason School of Public Health.

*Laptop distribution applies only to students who successfully complete either the Mental Health or Community Health Worker classes. (One per student)

PHYAP requires that parents provide written consent, which allows their child to participate in the program. On a support level, we welcome the additional hand parents provide in encouraging their child to complete our program-related projects and tasks, as they lie at the heart of a successful cohort journey for each student.

There is no cost to the student--or their family-- for participation in the Public Health Youth Ambassador Program. While everyone must fill out the application and consent form, the program, itself, is entirely FREE for all eligible 10th through 12th grade students.

Participants have two robust options for engagement in the Public Health Youth Ambassador Program: they can do so through Daytime classes that are held, specifically, for attendees of Justice, Lewis, and Mount Vernon High School in Fairfax County during their Advisory Period.

Alternately, 10th through 12th grade students from ALL Fairfax County High Schools, private schools, or home-schooled students at the 10th-12th grade level can apply for PHYAP’s Evening and Weekend classes, which are held at the Fairfax County Government Center. Evening classes are held there on alternating days, Monday through Thursday, from 6:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M.; meanwhile, our Weekend classes run every Saturday from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M.

We, recently, expanded our schedule to include Evening and Weekend options in response to overwhelming demand and to ensure that any eligible Fairfax County student could attend our classes, if selected for the program.

PHYAP, currently, offers three exciting curriculums to get students started on their Community Health Journey:

Within the Daytime schedule at our FCPS partner schools (listed above), students can take our Community Health Worker (CHW) course. Our Evening and Weekend slate features two different learning opportunities around Teen Mental Health and Opioid Prevention.

Each graduate from these courses receives a certificate from our two esteemed curriculum partners, the Morehouse School of Medicine and the George Mason School of Public Health, who are described below.

PYHAP usually has two student cohorts per year: one during the school’s Spring semester, and another in the Fall. Each cohort lasts between 6-12 weeks, depending on which location (i.e., our Evening and Weekend Program) and curriculum the student chooses.

PHYAP’s curriculum is supplied by two of the most respected names in college healthcare education across the United States, the Morehouse School of Medicine and the George Mason School of Public Health. Their introductory learning modules around community health, well-being, and prevention have been specifically tailored with our young student audience in mind.

A host of high-profile partners assist PHYAP in its desire to provide a top-notch program for its students, including: Inova Health Systems, the Institue for Public Health Innovation, Georgetown University’s Medical School Community-Based Learning team (CBL), and Fairfax County Public Schools.

Your child will learn introductory public health concepts including but not limited to: the history of public health in the United States, the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH), health screening techniques, chronic disease management, emergency medical interventions, and an introduction to physiology.

We also concentrate on student’s personal development by teaching them about effective communication and presentation skills, stress management, and more.

Beyond actual learning, one of the primary benefits from student involvement in PHYAP is the certificates students receive for completion of their core studies, as they have the potential to be included as part of their college application and/or job application package. Given our broader focus as a platform for secondary school and career growth, PHYAP also places a premium on building the student’s essential skills around communication, teamwork, and problem-solving.

When these attributes are combined with the sense of accomplishment (and confidence) they gain from having successfully completed our course, we believe it’s a ‘win-win’ for: them, their parents, their school, and the Fairfax community, at-large, if they choose to join PHYAP.

Along with a rich introduction to Community Health, PHYAP actively, exposes each student to course learnings and opportunities that are designed to bolster their leadership skills, natural communication abilities, and community-service mindset. Through additional hands-on project experience and networking with professionals, PHYAP tries to provide a snapshot of how college and the 'real' world works, along with, ways each student’s interests have the potential to influence real change in their community, through personal involvement and giving back.

No, there is, currently, not an interview process to join PHYAP. However, students must complete two short essays (each, being less than 500 words) as part of their application submission package.

Students who attend our Daytime classes will not require transportation, as classes are held on-site, during hours when schools are, normally, in session (and school bus transportation is available).

However, participants in our Evening and Weekend programs may require transportation to get to the Government Center, as regularly-scheduled virtual classes are, currently, not available.

FREE Fairfax County public bus options for eligible students are available. Visit the Fairfax County Connector website for details on student passes.

Applications for the Spring 2026 cohort are now closed. Applications for the Fall 2026 cohort will open in August.

If your child attends Justice, Lewis, or Mount Vernon High School, they can find the application information on the Partner Schools Daytime Program page.

If your child does not attend one of the partner schools, (or has already completed our CHW program) they can find the application information on the Evening & Weekend Program page.

PHYAP is always on the lookout for partners who are interested in assisting with and/or funding our program opportunities for students. This can involve our day-to-day activities, as well as, the Alumni, Mentoring, and Apprenticeship initiatives we’ll be unfolding in 2025.

If you are interested in becoming involved and would like more information, please email Scott Folks, Program Manager-Public Health Youth Ambassador Program (PHYAP) at: scott.folks@fairfaxcounty.gov.

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Health Department

Health Department Alert:

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PHYAP Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Public Health Youth Ambassador Program? Who sponsors it?

What is PHYAP’s purpose?

What do students receive for participating in the PHYAP program?

What level of parental consent is required for students to participate?

Are there any costs associated with a student joining the program?

Where (and when) are PHYAP’s classes held?

What curriculums does the program offer?

How long does it take to complete the Youth Ambassador program?

Who provides the health care curriculums that PHYAP students experience?

Are there other partners involved with PHYAP?

What will my child learn during their PHYAP studies?

Will PHYAP help position my child for college and/or their career?

Does PHYAP have the ability to enhance my child’s personal development?

Is there an interview process for students to join PHYAP? If so, what can my child expect?

Is transportation required to attend PHYAP? What about virtual sessions?

When will student applications be available to join PHYAP?

Where can my child apply to the program?

How can I further assist PHYAP’S efforts?

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