By Sophia Schadewald, Adolescent Health Coordinator, Indiana Department of Health (IDOH), and Sarah Iwinski-Wallace, Adolescent Health Administrator, IDOH

James’ Story

James is a junior at Ben Davis High School. He enjoys playing tennis and hanging out with his friends, and values his freedom on the weekends. He is the first in his family to go to college and has dreams of becoming a data analyst for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). He has always loved math, but never knew what career he should choose. He joined the Indiana Youth Advisory Board and heard about the Getting to Y program. He decided to sign up with a few of his classmates. 

While with the Youth Advisory Board, James attended the data analysis retreat with Getting to Y and loved getting to interact with the data on adolescent health outcomes in his own community. He found a new passion and learned the importance of putting data into practice. He encouraged other classmates to join, and now he has a leadership role with Getting to Y in training other students who want to engage in the Data Analysis Retreat. He feels more confident in himself, navigating life’s stressors and making positive decisions to help him achieve his career goals. James has learned to become an advocate for himself.

The Getting to Y Program: Promoting Adult-Youth Partnerships

Up for Learning’s Getting to Y’s goal is to bring meaning to the Youth Risk Behavior Survey and include youth voices in how they analyze public health data. Through the Getting to Y program, the aim is to increase adult mentorship and decrease bullying for Hoosier youth.

This program is designed to promote adult-youth partnerships. Having effective adult leaders in the community, school, and personal life of these young people will encourage positive youth influence on the youth participating in the program. Implementation of the Getting to Y program is a mutually reinforcing and beneficial program for adult-youth partnerships. Collaboration between the Indiana Youth Advisory Board (IYAB) and the Youth Risk Behavior Survey can aid in increasing our understanding of adolescent health behaviors. Youth who have the support to be advocates for themselves and their health can successfully navigate their adolescence. They are more likely to experience a sense of well-being, withstand life’s stresses, choose health-promoting behaviors, and avoid activities and behaviors in adulthood that can lead to negative health and life outcomes.

The Getting to Y Training Event

A modified in-person Getting to Y training event was held at the IDOH in partnership with Getting to Y and the Indiana Youth Advisory Board. As part of this training, individuals from the Indiana Youth Advisory Board attended the training in a small group where students learned how to be advocates for the Youth Risk Behavior Survey. This training event is a precursor to the Data Analysis Retreat implemented by Getting to Y. The training event allows Indiana Youth Advisory Board members to get training in facilitating a future Data Analysis Retreat and event in Indiana. 

The IDOH, in partnership with the Indiana Youth Advisory Board and Getting to Y, developed a plan and scope of work for capacity building. This initiative required a one-day orientation followed by a second day dedicated to training. For day one, Getting to Y facilitated a half-day in-person orientation for the Adolescent Health Coordinator and Adolescent Health Administrator, which took place the day before the train-the-trainer event. UP for Learning conducted a 3-hour meeting with IDOH staff to discuss the Getting to Y program orientation and information session in further detail. On the second day, it focused on a full-day in-person train-the-trainer event, which included the IDOH Adolescent Health team, members of the Indiana Youth Advisory Board, and a UP for Learning facilitator. 

Shifts in Desired Outcomes

Our desired outcomes shifted when we made necessary changes to our replication project to fulfill our capacity-building scope of work. Throughout the process, we aimed to build our capacity to manage a statewide Getting to Y work for the future. We increased engagement with the Indiana Youth Advisory Board by creating a sense of belonging and advocating for youth voices. Additionally, we increased our capacity for understanding how we can partner with Getting to Y to achieve a common goal and method of change. Finally, we provided opportunities for growth and development for our youth by engaging them in positive youth development activities.

Ongoing Funding and Future Implementation

The Adolescent Team within the Maternal Child Health Division has applied for an internal grant to secure ongoing funding for the UP for Learning and Getting to Y projects. This opportunity will allow Getting to Y to implement their project in three regions across Indiana and utilize their educational materials for the Youth Risk Behavior Survey. This collaboration will enhance our understanding of the Youth Risk Behavior Survey and provide leadership opportunities to members of the Indiana Youth Advisory Board, who are positioned throughout the state and can make a positive impact in their communities.