Think, Act, Grow: Engaging
and Empowering Adolescents
for Better Health
Susan Maloney, Director of Policy, Planning and
Communications, Office of Adolescent Health, US
Department of Health and Human Services
Marci Roth, Partner, True North Group
Dianna Walters, Policy Associate, Jim Casey Youth
Opportunities Initiative
Introducing
#TAG42Mil
About the Office of Adolescent Health
Video
Developing TAG
Public Health
Health Care
Afterschool and
Community-based
Organizations
Faith-based
Groups
Social Services
Education
Parents and
Families
Adolescents
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Youth Leaders Say Adolescents Need:
Positive Connections
Safe & Secure Places
High Quality Health
Care
Opportunities for Youth
to Engage
Collaboration & Coordinated
Services
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After-school and Community-based Programs
 Help youth connect to supportive
adults, positive peers, schools and the
community.
 Create a safe, warm and enriching space for
adolescents.
 Encourage adolescents to be active physically and
have good nutrition.
 Be another set of eyes and provide a listening ear
to adolescents.
 Share local health resources with youth.
 Teach youth about staying healthy and safe.
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Jim Casey Youth
Opportunities Initiative
Strategies
&
Activities
Improved
Policy &
Practice
Improved
Youth
Outcomes
Five STRATEGIES working together lead to improved OUTCOMES
and SYSTEMS for young people transitioning from foster care.
Core Strategies
Youth
Engagement
Outcome Areas
• Permanence
• Health
• Education
• Financial Capability
• Employment
• Social Capital
• Housing
Let’s Talk Engagement – Brainstorming Time
In groups, please answer these questions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
If you were advising someone who is interested in
engaging youth, what are some key things they need to
know?
For each action step for the sector(s) assigned to your
table, think of ways to promote meaningful youth
engagement.
What are your favorite useful tools and resources for
engaging youth?
Optional: We know one major challenge that many
programs face is in reaching and recruiting young people
to planned activities. With the TAG action steps in mind,
try to identify 3-5 strategies that your sector might use to
reach, connect, community with young people.
Group Sharing
TAG is a
call to action!
You’re it!
OAH Resources
• Visit our website at http://www.hhs.gov/ash/oah/
– State fact sheets
– Talking with Teens
– Resources and publications
• Follow us on Twitter @teenhealthgov
• Subscribe to our E-newsletter, Adolescent Health Insider
• Use our online e-learning modules and resource centers
• After October: www.hhs.gov/ash/oah/TAG
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CONTACT INFORMATION
Susan Maloney, Office of Adolescent Health
Susan.maloney@hhs.gov
Marci Roth, support to OAH
marci@truenorthgroup.com
Dianna Walters, Policy Associate
Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative
dwalters@jimcaseyyouth.org
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