Public Health and Civic Literacy Academy

A photo of Black students in a group talking

To apply, click here. The deadline has been extended to March 31st.

Program Summary

The Public Health and Civic Literacy Academy is a pilot after school initiative for high school youth through the Multnomah County Health Department's REACH Program, Oregon Health Authority, Portland State University, University of Cincinnati, and Building Blocks 2 Success.

The Academy helps underrepresented high school youth to be public health investigators and civic leaders within their respective communities through real world learning and leadership opportunities. The program activities will teach participants to leverage their lived experiences, identities, and unique forms of expression into civic action. 

The program will consist of in-person, group-based learning sessions and field exercises. Students will learn research skills and work together to conduct their own investigation into community issues that are important to them. The program will also demonstrate how that research can shape local policymaking.

The Academy is based in youth participatory action research (Y-PAR) principles which center the leadership abilities, innovative thinking, and social justice interests of youth. 

Participants will have the opportunity to...

  • learn about health equity challenges and potential  policy solutions 
  • conduct your own public health research project
  • participate in a college campus visit and field trips
  • receive mentorship from public health professionals and  college professors 
  • eat delicious, locally-sourced and culturally-relevant foods
  • receive $30 per hour compensation 
  • receive a certificate of completion from the Multnomah County Health Department’s REACH program 

Participant criteria

  • currently be a student in Multnomah County H.S. 9th,10th, or 11th grade between the ages of 13 and 17 
  • be recommended by an ACHIEVE partner organization • Interested in public health or public policy 
  • be able to commit to the project timeline 
  • provide own transport to meeting location(s), FREE Tri-Met Bus passes available  
  • be willing to attend program events, and engage in group discussions and activities  
  • be able to commit to the program for it’s full duration (June 2023 through June 2024) 
  • be able to consent to participating in program evaluation related  activities (e.g., surveys, interviews) 
  • obtain a parent/guardian signature consenting to  student participation. (Note: a parent or guardian must  be willing to attend the orientation event) 

Important deadlines

  • Accepting applications from: Feb. 10, to March 31, 2022
  • Notification of Decision: April 10, 2023 
  • Student-Parent Orientation & Mixer: May 4, 2023 
  • Academy Begins: June 29, 2023  

To apply, click here.

For more information contact Mossie Ogilvie at mossie.ogilvie@multco.us.

Public Health and Civic Literacy Flyer (921.21 KB)