141st APHA Annual Meeting

In This section

288069
California walks youth leaders: Peer-mentorship & leadership development for community-driven healthy transportation advocacy

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Diana Rodriguez , California WALKS, Oakland, CA
MariaJose Diaz , California WALKS, Oakland, CA
Christopher Chavez , California WALKS, Oakland, CA
Jason Rovira , California WALKS, Oakland, CA
Tony Dang, BA , California WALKS, Oakland, CA
Wendy Alfsen, JD , California WALKS, Oakland, CA
Since 2009, Youth Leaders have been working with California WALKS to create a healthier California—a safer place to walk, play, go to school and work—through VideoVoice. VideoVoice is a community-based participatory action research (CBPAR) method where youth, older adults, and other community members self-select and collect video data on existing health and safety conditions, identify importance, articulate desired outcomes, with roles they and others play in achieving desired change. Cal WALKS Youth Leaders have travelled across the state to peer-mentor and train—via workshops, conferences, and webinars (in English and Spanish)—other youth, older adults, public health practitioners, and community members in VideoVoice technique and best practices. By moving beyond “token” community engagement, VideoVoice is a powerful, easily understandable communication strategy that cultivates sustainable leadership in advocacy for healthy, safe, and equitable communities. Cal WALKS Youth Leaders' work has served as a catalyst for healthier communities where all can share in solving daily challenges.

In this session, Youth Leaders will present how they initially engaged in VideoVoice, why they work with Cal WALKS, what they've experienced traveling statewide mentoring youth and adults, what community successes have occurred, how Video Voice has influenced their future career paths and led to active CBPHC Youth Council participation.

Learning Areas:
Advocacy for health and health education

Learning Objectives:
Discuss the background and history of Cal WALKS Youth Leaders. Explain impacts of Youth Leaders on professional development and community health career plan choices. Identify the role and significance of Cal WALKS support team for program sustainability.

Keywords: Advocacy, Youth

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Diana Rodriguez is a senior at West High School in Bakersfield, CA, and has been a VideoVoice Trainer with California WALKS for over 5 years. Diana has traveled across California and to nationwide conferences to present and lead workshops training youth, public health professionals, and community members on VideoVoice best practices. Diana is also a representative of the APHA CBPHC National Youth Council, and served as Secretary for the Council from 2011-2012.
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.