292751
Leveraging the power of future generations: The youth ambassadors reaching out (YARO) program
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Vani Simmons, Ph.D.,
Department of Health Outcomes & Behavior, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL
Alexis Koskan, PhD,
Health Outcomes & Behavior, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL
Lynne Klasko, MPH,
Tampa Bay Community Cancer Network, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa Bay Community Cancer Network, Tampa, FL
Nia Jackson,
Tampa Bay Community Cancer Network, Outreach Core, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa Bay Community Cancer Network, Tampa, FL
John Robinson,
Health Outcomes and Behavior, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL
Background: The Tampa Bay Community Cancer Network (TBCCN) is a community-academic partnership that aims to reduce cancer disparities among medically underserved populations within the Tampa Bay area. Since the inception of TBCCN in 2005, community partners have worked collaboratively to design educational programs; including Youth Ambassadors Reaching Out (YARO), a student led educational program for youth residing in medically underserved areas. YARO encourages middle and high school students to serve as health ambassadors in their communities by providing education about cancer prevention, health disparities, and careers in science and health. Purpose: This presentation provides evaluation data from the YARO program while highlighting its design and implementation. Methods: In 2012, TBCCN commenced its YARO Program with a cohort of 14 middle school students. Novel approaches in the design of the curriculum included the formation of a youth advisory board in order to ensure that the content was appealing and relevant to the needs of the participants. In addition to the youth advisory board, community partners provided insight on the content of the curriculum. Program delivery included interactive sessions such as a tour of Moffitt Cancer Center, a career forum, and a health disparities PhotoVoice project. Results: An increase in knowledge about health disparities, careers in science and health and healthy lifestyle practices were captured through pre and post test assessments administered during the program. Conclusion: Evaluation data illustrate YARO's success. Satisfaction results indicate that the unique approach to program delivery and design kept participants engaged and interested in the topics addressed.
Learning Areas:
Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Program planning
Social and behavioral sciences
Learning Objectives:
Explain the procedure for designing a youth-based educational program in collaboration with community partners
Discuss the role and function of a youth advisory board
Describe novel approaches for youth-based health education
Keyword(s): Health Education Strategies, Youth
Presenting author's disclosure statement:Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: As a cuurent LINK student with the Tampa Bay Community Cancer Network (TBCCN), I have worked with TBCCN's outreach core over the past 2 years. In particular, I assisted with the YARO curriculum design and program development as a YAB(Youth Advisory Board) member . Additionally, I have served as a co-facilitator for a YARO session (2nd session:tour of immunology lab).
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines,
and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed
in my presentation.
