Health Department

CONTACT INFORMATION: Our administration office at 10777 Main Street in Fairfax is open during regular business hours 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday. Clinic services are not offered at this location.
703-246-2411 TTY 711
10777 Main Street
Fairfax, VA 22030
Gloria Addo-Ayensu, M.D., M.P.H.
Director of Health

Department Resources

County-Wide Evening & Weekend Program for Any High School Age Student

Student Benefits          Course Offerings          Program Components          Eligibility & Expectations          FAQs          Apply

 

group of diverse high school students, three girls and three boys, huddled outside an academic buildingFairfax County Health Department’s Public Health Youth Ambassador Program (PHYAP) is a grant-funded program that provides free training to 10th through 12th grade students across Fairfax County. The program aims to increase diversity in the public health field by training participants to become certified Community Health Workers, address teen mental health challenges, and help reduce the use of opioids. The program provides opportunities for students to become health professionals and enhance participants’ educational and career experiences, giving them tools to build generational health throughout their community.

All eligible 10th - 12th graders across Fairfax County have the opportunity to become Public Health Youth Ambassadors through the county-wide Evening and Weekend program. Classes are held outside of school hours Monday through Thursday and Saturday at the Fairfax County Government Center.

Regardless of the type of schooling you receive (i.e., FCPS, Private, Faith-Based, Home-School, Charter, etc.), if you are interested in health-related topics and are looking to jumpstart your secondary school and career engagement in the community health field, the Public Health Youth Ambassador Program might be perfect for you.

Interested students who attend Justice, Lewis, or Mount Vernon High School should read the details of the PHYAP Partner Schools Daytime Program.

Student Benefits

Depending on chosen course of study and level of involvement, students have the opportunity to earn and enjoy a range of success-related outcomes that include:

  • Medical supplies and other resources that are needed to participate in the program,
  • A Chrome laptop*,
  • Certificates of completion from the Morehouse School of Medicine and the George Mason University College of Public Health,
  • Complimentary gift certificate,
  • Experience that can enhance one’s college applications, and
  • Opportunities to develop professional public health and workforce connections.

*Laptop distribution applies only to students in the Mental Health and Community Health Worker classes.

Course Offerings

The Youth Ambassador Evening & Weekends program offers students the chance to choose from two important health subjects: the High School and Young Adult Opioid Reduction Training Program, or the Young Adult Mental Health Worker Program.

Learn more about each program below:

The High School and Young Adult Opioid Reduction training program educates high school students about the dangers of opioid misuse. The program is designed to increase student awareness regarding the risks associated with drug abuse and prescription pill misuse, while reducing the stigma associated with addiction. Lessons in this program also focus on sound mental health practices and the important role they play in preventing addictive behaviors.

The Young Adult Mental Health Worker training program features three components that foster sound mental health and well-being among youth populations:

  • the importance of mental health literacy,
  • an introduction to community-based mental health interventions, and
  • targeted mental health screening activities.

Students also learn strategies for handling mental health emergencies, while working collaboratively on developing ideas for community-based mental health initiatives.

Components of the Program

Our Public Health Youth Ambassador Program includes student activities that take place in class, at home, and in community settings.

  • Class Session: Classes are held at the Fairfax County Government Center. Sessions take place on Mondays through Thursdays from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. and on Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. During each training session, students discuss health issues across a range of topic areas, while completing curriculum learning from the Morehouse School of Medicine and the George Mason University College of Public Health.
     
  • Community Health Project: Students must complete a required community health project in order to graduate from the program. They will select a health issue that is relevant to them and make an actionable plan on how to address it.
     
  • Practicum: Students complete practicum hours aligned with their course studies, which includs demonstrations and video presentations from the Fairfax County Health Department and other trusted public health entities. Participants will gain first-hand knowledge about the different roles that are available within community and public health, along with the challenges that come about from living in a complex society.
     
  • At-Home Activities: Students will use the medical equipment and techniques learned in class to conduct mandatory “check-ups" with family members, friends and/or community members.

Eligibility and Expectations

Eligibility Criteria

While all 10th - 12th grade students are encouraged to apply, priority will be given to those who are:

Criteria by Cohort Measurement
Represent community members most impacted by poor health outcomes
  • Resides in areas with high social vulnerability
  • Premature death rates by race/ethnicity for county
  • HHS - Office of Minority Health Disparity Impact Statement

Underrepresented in community health careers (public health, healthcare)
Least likely to participate in post-secondary education
  • First in family to attend college
  • Parents with limited English proficiency

Represent populations with higher:

  • Drop-out rates
  • Chronic absenteeism

Represent populations less likely to:

  • Participate in Advanced Academic Programs
  • Graduate on time
  • Be enrolled in higher education 16 months after graduating

Students with disabilities

Covered under Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

Economically disadvantaged

Qualified for free/reduced lunch, SNAP, Medicaid, TANF
English language learners
  • School Data
  • Census 

 

Performance Expectations

Participants in the PHYAP program are expected to:

  • Have and maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher in core classes (GPA does not have to be cumulative)
  • Attend PHYAP activities
  • Are willing to pursue advanced coursework
  • Demonstrate leadership in school or community activities

1 Salsberg E, Richwine C, Westergaard S, et al. Estimation and Comparison of Current and Future Racial/Ethnic Representation in the US Health Care Workforce. JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4(3):e213789. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.3789

2 https://data.hrsa.gov/topics/health-workforce/ahrf

3 https://www.dhp.virginia.gov/PublicResources/HealthcareWorkforceDataCenter/Dashboards/

Frequently Asked Questions for Parents

As a parent who takes a keen interest in your child's education, and has to juggle family responsibilities and logistics, we know you may have questions about the Public Health Youth Ambassador Program.  We've prepared a full page of Questions and Answers that will be helpful as you consider allowing your student to enroll in the program.

Open the Frequently Asked Questions web page

Apply to the Program

Preparing for the PHYAP Application


As part of the Student Interest application, students will be required to answer the following two essay questions:

  • Why do you want to become a Public Health Youth Ambassador and how will this experience impact your future goals?
  • What do you believe to be the most pressing health issue today? Why?


NOTE: This form must be completed in one sitting; applicants will not be able to save their progress and return later. 

Students are encouraged to prepare their responses to these essay questions before starting the application.

 

When to Apply

The application window for the Fall 2025 session will be announced later this summer.

 

Need Some Help?

For further assistance with completing the application, please see the video guides below.

For students:


 

For parents:


Close
Fairfax Virtual Assistant