HHS CDC - National Technical Assistance Center for Adolescent Health - MRAS

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the General Services Administration (GSA), is conducting market research to establish the National Technical Assistance Center for Adolescent Health. This initiative is spearheaded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Division of Adolescent and School Health (CDC/DASH). The primary goal of CDC/DASH is to foster environments that empower youth with essential health knowledge and skills, facilitating the establishment of lifelong healthy behaviors. By focusing on integrated, population-based strategies, CDC/DASH aims to reach young people primarily through school-based interventions while emphasizing community partnerships, family involvement, health education, and school connectedness.

The work requested under this contract involves providing technical assistance to support schools in implementing evidence-based health promotion activities. These initiatives aim to improve mental health outcomes, increase physical activity, promote healthy eating habits, prevent chronic diseases, and address co-occurring issues such as substance use and experiences of violence among adolescents. Special attention is given to addressing disparities in access to mental health services in rural areas where challenges such as provider shortages and infrastructure limitations are prevalent. The National Technical Assistance Center will play a pivotal role in equipping educational institutions with the tools needed to enhance student well-being effectively.

Schools serve as a vital platform for addressing risk factors associated with childhood chronic diseases. With over 95% of U.S. youth spending significant portions of their daily lives within educational settings, schools have a unique opportunity to influence positive behavioral changes. By implementing targeted policies and programs during school hours and out-of-school time (OST), educational institutions can create supportive environments that not only improve student health outcomes but also boost academic performance. The work under this contract will involve collaborating with education agencies and other stakeholders through various Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) provided by CDC/DASH.