Evidence-based Approaches to Preventing Youth Violence

Dr. Rhonda Rahn is currently a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Health and Kinesiology at Texas A&M University. She earned her PhD in Health Education, M.S. in Health Education, and a B.S. in Health from Texas A&M University. She currently teaches allied and community health students in the Division of Health Education. Prior to teaching, Dr. Rahn spent 10 years as the Health Education Coordinator and 3 years as a Health Educator in the Department of Student Health Services at Texas A&M University. Her research interests investigate college students' health behaviors including sexuality and peer health education. She has publications in peer-reviewed journals and have presented at national and state conferences. She is a professional member of SOPHE, ACHA, and TAHPERD and a Certified Health Education Specialist. Dr. Rahn has mentored undergraduate students and new professionals in a variety of different roles as a member of SOPHE, a professional health educator, and a faculty member. Her students have gone on to be health educators or have continued their education in graduate or professional school programs.

Linda McGlone, MPH, Monterey County Health Department and Coordinator of the CDC funded STRYVE Youth Violence Prevention Program, since the project?s inception in 2011. Trained in community-based Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) and Safe Dates strategies and have overseent the implementation of both strategies for the last 8 years. CPTED is a valuable prevention tool, recognized as a promising practice by CDC. Received a Master of Public Health Degree, from the University of Texas School of Public Health, with an emphasis in Urban Health.

Emiko has worked at Monterey County Health Department for over ten years. She has overseen the implementation and coordination of Teen Pregnancy Prevention Programs that include: Making Proud Choices, Safe Dates, Injury Prevention, and Postpone. Emiko has trained staff on how to properly implement evidence based programs and implements programs to hundreds of youth each year. She has an AS from Cabrillo College, a Family Development Credential from Cornell, and has received various community awards for work.

ADAOBI CHIDINMA ILUNO is a Public Health professional with years of professional experience and training in Reproductive Health. So over the years, as a youth advocate and leader in adolescents and young people Sexual and Reproductive Health issues, she has designed and implemented several adolescent health programs to provide services and counter discriminatory acts against young people. Recently, Adaobi completed a pre-doctoral research with University of Malaga, Spain, during and after which she garnered experience with designing and evaluating school-based child sexual abuse education programs. Her skills transcend from Researching to Programme Management, Community Engagement, Capacity Building in Sexuality Education, Advocacy and development of Behavioural Change Communication materials. She believes in leading through mentorship and continuous learning.

Nicolas Suarez, MPH is a Health Scientist and Presidential Management Fellow in the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Division of Adolescent and School Health (DASH). His research focuses on improving health equity and eliminating disparities in HIV, sexual health, mental health, and substance use among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) populations, especially LGBT youth and adolescents. Nicolas evaluates school-based sexual health education programs and provides evaluation technical assistance to DASH-funded school districts to analyze process and impact of programs.

Leigh Szucs, Ph.D., CHES is a Health Scientist in the Division of Adolescent and School Health (DASH) at the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Her research focuses on implementation and evaluation of school-based health education programs, specifically sexuality education to prevent STIs, including HIV, and unintended pregnancy. Through this work, Leigh also provides technical and capability building assistance to school districts and NGOs, using evidence-informed strategies that address adolescent sexual health outcomes, and protective factors to support the social, emotional, and learning needs of youth. Leigh earned a Master of Education in Health Education at Texas State University and PhD in Health Education at Texas A&M University.

Erin Sweeney, PhD, MEd, MCHES has been in the health education field for over 15 years. Dr. Sweeney taught at the middle school level before transitioning to academia, where she has been for the past ten years. She currently teaches health education courses at the University of Nebraska Kearney, teaching both to the general college population and health/PE teacher candidates. Dr. Sweeney has presented at multiple state and national conferences and published in multiple journals, with a focus on high school drug testing, pedagogy, adolescent health, sexuality education, and injury/violence prevention.