Learn about Deputy Assistant Secretary Marcella’s new initiative for adolescent health and join the movement to take action for well-being.
Better Family Life, Inc. is thrilled to announce that Jessica Swafford Marcella will be joining us as a special guest at the 15th Annual Youth Empowerment Rally in St. Louis, MO on April 3, 2024. The event will take place at Saint Louis University, Chaifetz Arena from 9:30 am until 12:30 pm.
Marcella, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Population Affairs (OPA) and Director of the Office of Adolescent Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, will be introducing OPA’s new Take Action for Adolescent Health: A Call to Action for Adolescent Health and Well Being.
This research-based Call to Action was created by a wide array of government and external partners from across the U.S. These partners included a diverse group of young people. Deputy Marcella will encourage everyone in the St. Louis community to get involved in Take Action for Adolescents and National Adolescent Health Month, which is taking place in May. More than 2,000 students from over 20 schools in Missouri and Illinois will attend the rally and we expect this event will have a significant impact.
Following the Youth Empowerment Rally,Rally, from 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm, Better Family Life will host a Roundtable on Adolescent Health and Well Being that will focus on Take Action for Adolescents. Marcella will share the Call to Action’s goals and initial action steps and lead an interactive discussion with youth, educators, health officials, and community leaders on how the to promote and sustain community-based and cross-sector collaboration using the Call to Action’s resources.
We are honored to have middle and high school principals and counselors in attendance at the Roundtable, and their expertise in creating safe and supportive environments for our youth will guide us in promoting healthy behaviors and nurturing positive relationships among adolescents. Health department officials will provide the latest research, prevention strategies, and resources to prevent teen pregnancy and STDs. Their expertise will inform the development of comprehensive approaches to effectively address these issues. Local political leaders will share their perspectives on
policymaking and community engagement. They will emphasize the importance of sexual health education and accessible healthcare services for adolescents, highlighting the need for comprehensive support.
Religious leaders will provide moral and ethical guidance, emphasizing the values of love, respect, and responsible behavior in fostering healthy relationships. Their insights will contribute to creating an environment that promotes positive values and healthy decision-making. Juvenile justice officials will shed light on the intersection between youth justice and sexual health. They will emphasize the need for comprehensive support and the prevention of unhealthy behaviors among at-risk youth, ensuring that young people receive the guidance and resources they need to make informed choices.
Foster care organizations will share their experiences with supporting young people in the foster care system who may face unique challenges in navigating sexual health. Their insights will guide the development of tailored strategies to address the specific needs of this vulnerable population.
Together, this diverse group of participants will engage in meaningful discussions, share best practices, and collaborate on innovative solutions to promote and sustain adolescent health and well-being. Through their collective expertise and unwavering dedication, our aim is to unlock the potential of youth and empower our community to create a future where young people can thrive and achieve their dreams. We look forward to the impact that this event will have on the lives of young people in our community.
#AdolescentHealth #WellBeing #TakeAction