Public Health Youth Ambassadors

graphic logo for the Public Health Youth Ambassadors program

Cultivating the Next Generation of Public Health Leaders

Fairfax County Health Department’s Public Health Youth Ambassador Program (PHYAP) is a grant-funded program that provides free training to local high school students in critical learning areas such as community health work, opioid use reduction methodologies, and teen mental health assistance. 

The program’s focus is to increase student awareness about the field of public health, while broadening their knowledge around the multiple ways our world is influenced and connected by healthcare-related activities. PHYAP is designed to prepare more young professionals for public health-related careers, while creating opportunities to improve health in our communities.

Partner Schools Daytime Program          County-wide Evenings & Weekends Program          Youth Ambassadors Alumni          Success Stories          Mentorship Opportunities          Program Partners

Creating Diverse On-ramps for a New Generation of Public Health Leaders

The Public Health Youth Ambassador Program 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-know public health institutions (Morehouse College and George Mason University) in each of those areas during its Fall and Spring cohorts.

The program also seeks to increase diversity among health professionals in all fields, while providing students with the experiences and knowledge that can enhance their high school education and future careers.

 

group of four school friends, holding folders or a backpack

Aims of the Public Health Youth Ambassador Program 

the number 1 in white text on a pink circle background
Enlist students to help address the on-going diversity gap between those who are receiving community health services and the individuals providing them.

the number 2 in white text on a pink circle background
Give students an easy way to explore health careers through coursework, alumni involvement, and mentorship opportunities.

the number 3 in white text on a pink circle background
Increase the number of trained student Community Health Workers who are qualified to help deliver health programs in communities with limited access to resources.

the number 4 in white text on a pink circle background
Help students from all backgrounds to understand the root cause of injustice and how it, systematically, impacts families' opportunities to be healthy and thrive.

 

Changing Lives and Shaping Futures

head and shoulders photo of Dr. Gloria Addo-Ayensu

 

“The Youth Ambassador program addresses a number of critical needs in public health: building community trust, advancing health literacy and equity in communities of color, and producing a corps of community health workers ready to play an active role in creating a healthier Fairfax.”

-Dr. Gloria Addo-Ayensu, Director of Health - Fairfax County Health Department

Partner Schools Daytime Program

 

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.

 

Read More About the Program

Evening & Weekend Program for 10th-12th Grade Students Countywide

 

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.

 

Read More about the Program

Public Health Youth Ambassador Alumni Program

 

Once any Youth Ambassador member finishes their cohort, they are eligible to become a PHYAP Alumni member. This, in turn, opens the door to special “alumni-only” access built around advanced learning opportunities and mentorship engagement. Being an alumnus holds a special place of honor within program circles, providing a foundation for continued engagement in the program that, ideally, will last through the balance of each student's high school, college, and professional career.

Details about joining the Alumni Program are coming soon.

 


Success Stories - Where Are They Now?

 

PHYAP is proud of its ability to train and position students so they can help improve health outcomes across the entire community. Our graduates have applied what they learned in their studies and community health projects to help neighbors get healthcare, find translation services, and access health education materials that fit their culture and language. Learn about some of the great things students are doing and how their PHYAP mindset is making a big difference in the community.

 

Coming Soon

Mentorship Opportunities

 

Being a mentor to a young person can be one of the most rewarding and fulfilling experiences in life. The Public Health Youth Ambassador Mentorship Program provides a unique opportunity for qualified members of our professional community to supply underserved teen populations with life-changing skills, including: career and school guidance, network access, and relationship-building insights. Each student encounter will take place, virtually, in ways that can fully-accommodate student and mentor needs.

Details about how to become a Mentor are coming soon.

 


Program Funding & Partnerships

 

The Public Health Youth Ambassador Program is a collaborative effort whose focus lies in addressing health disparities and other critical health literacy needs across Fairfax County. Initially supported by grants from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Minority Health, the program is continually seeking ways to strengthen its network of dedicated partners and funding sources.

 


Close
Fairfax Virtual Assistant