By convening both teens and health care system experts, we hope to understand how to best address the sexual preventative health needs of teens.

Through this project, we will also test novel methods for detecting suicide risk and study interventions designed to target known risk factors for depression and suicidal behavior, namely poor sleep, low activity and online victimization.

Insufficient sleep among adolescents is a critical public health concern as it increases risk for cardiovascular disease, hypertension and type 2 diabetes.

Our team aims to strengthen the Reach Out and Read (ROR) network across the state by collaborating with ROR clinic-champions, identifying policy mechanisms to link early learning and pediatric care, and developing materials to present the evidence base for early literacy promotion.

While there is evidence to support the implementation and scaling of family-oriented prevention services in early childhood and dyadic care models, this project will grow the evidence base for the HealthySteps model and include advocacy efforts specific to our local and state landscape to support program sustainability.