University of Montana

Project Name: Promotion of Wellness, Education & Resilience Among Native Youth (Native Youth POWER)

Project Overview: The University of Montana’s Center for Children, Families & Workforce Development (UM-CCFWD) is partnering with Johns Hopkins’ Center for Indigenous Health (JH-CIH) to plan and implement evidence-based programs (EBPs) with American Indian (AI) youth in Northwestern Montana and Navajo Nation in Arizona and New Mexico. The community-selected programs will be implemented in three unique settings (e.g., summer camps; school-based; clinic-based) and will provide trauma-informed and Positive Youth Development approaches to preventing unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Throughout, Native Youth POWER will utilize Community Advisory Boards and Youth Advisory Boards to oversee planning, implementation, and monitoring of all project activities. 

Community(ies) Served: Youth in school, community, summer camps and healthcare settings across Northwestern Montana and Navajo Nation

Target Population: American Indian youth ages 10-19

Geographic Area Served (Urbanicity of Community): Missoula County, MT; Rocky Boy’s Reservation, MT; Tuba City, AZ; Chinle, AZ; Shiprock, NM (Rural)

Average Anticipated Number of Youth Served Annually: 2,120