Adolescent Health: Think, Act, Grow (TAG)—A Strengths-Based Approach to Promoting Health in Youth

Authors

  • Emily R. Novick U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Adolescent Health
  • Jamie I. Kim U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Adolescent Health
  • Yasmin Mazloomdoost U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Adolescent Health
  • Courtney Barthle ICF
  • Lonna Hays ICF

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/jyd.2018.598

Keywords:

adolescent health, teen-friendly health care, positive youth development, Office of Adolescent Health

Abstract

Adolescent Health: Think, Act, Grow® (TAG) is a national call to action to promote adolescent health and healthy development. Led by the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Adolescent Health and developed with the input of national organizations, it builds on the collective wisdom of youth-serving professionals and seeks to raise the profile of adolescent health in the national discourse. Using TAG, the Office of Adolescent Health conducts outreach and delivers tools and information that support the integration of positive youth development precepts into the ongoing work of federal, state, and local public agencies; youth-serving health, public health, education, and social service professionals and organizations; faith- and community-based organizations; workforce development organizations and employers; and other stakeholders. TAG does not provide a formulaic blueprint for action, but instead encourages youth-serving organizations to use approaches that are consistent with their mission, objectives, priorities, and tactics. Preliminary evaluation findings indicate interest in the overall concept and resources of TAG, with partners citing the sharing of resources as a primary engagement strategy.

Author Biographies

Emily R. Novick, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Adolescent Health

Emily R. Novick is the Team Lead for the Division of Policy, Planning, and Communications at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of Adolescent Health (OAH).  In this role, she manages the OAH website and all OAH social media, videos, webinars, and written communications products; works with national organizations, state and local public health departments, and HHS and other federal agencies on partnerships to support adolescent health promotion.  She also oversees Adolescent Health: Think, Act, Grow® (TAG), a strength-based national call to action to promote adolescent health in the U.S.  She is a Contract Officer’s Representative Level III.

 Before joining OAH, Emily worked on two major public health media campaigns for HHS: “The Real Cost” teen smoking prevention media campaign and a tobacco retailer education campaign at the FDA Center for Tobacco Products and the “Talk: They Hear You” underage drinking prevention media campaign at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration’s Center for Substance Abuse Prevention.  Previously, Emily created and ran parent support and outreach programs for the non-profit NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Montgomery County, worked as a consultant and video producer, and managed research and evaluation contracts for the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation.  She started her government career as a Presidential Management Intern.

Ms. Novick has a BA from Barnard College, Columbia University and a MPP from the University of California, Berkeley, Goldman Graduate School of Public Policy.  She is a member of the American Public Health Association and is a certified television and video producer and director.

Jamie I. Kim, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Adolescent Health

Jamie I. Kim is a Health Scientist in the Division of Policy, Planning, and Communications at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of Adolescent Health (OAH). In this role, he helps to manage the OAH website, social media, and other communications products and works with national organizations, state and local public health departments, and other federal agencies on partnerships to support adolescent health promotion. He helped in the development of Adolescent Health: Think, Act, Grow® (TAG), a strengths-based national call to action to promote adolescent health in the United States. He has a BA from the University of Michigan, an MPH in epidemiology from the University of Toledo, and is a member of the American Public Health Association. 

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Published

2018-09-18

Issue

Vol. 13 No. 3 (2018): Special Issue on Youth Health and Well-Being

Section

Feature Articles

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