Public health and social work students tackle issues in the foster-care system

Thirty public health and social work students joined forces to tackle issues in the adolescent foster care system this fall. Their goal: Develop an intervention for The Bair Foundation of Columbus to encourage stability for young people in group home and residential settings.

Case Competition students

The Bair Foundation is a private, nonprofit foster care and adoption agency that partners with Franklin County Children’s Services to provide foster homes, case management and emergency crisis services to families and foster youth. 

Students had two weeks to create a framework and program plan for an intervention to help bring public awareness to the issue and improve the health of adolescent youth in the foster system. On Nov. 19, five teams presented their proposals to expert judges: Dean Amy Fairchild and Dr. Teresa Long in public health; Assistant Dean Ramona Denby-Brinson and Linda Helm of social work; and Brittni Doefer and Kara Back of the Bair Foundation. 

Teams assessed the current state of foster care in Central Ohio and underlying health issues in the foster-care system. They proposed a marketing campaign and intervention plan while having to justify and evaluate both. Additionally, they created a budget and were asked to explain the reasoning behind their financial decisions. 

The College of Public Health, College of Public Health Alumni Society and the College of Social Work put $3,000 up for grabs. The top team received $2,000, while the second place group received $1,000 for their hard work and dedication.

Congratulations to the following students for receiving first place!

Sofia Herrera, Chelsea Moore, Rebecca Plasky, Brian O’Rouke, and Jack Agrasuta

Sofia Herrera, Chelsea Moore, Rebecca Plasky, Brian O’Rouke, and Jack Agrasuta 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Congratulations to the following students for receiving second place!

Amelia Kvalheim, Sana Sughra, Priscilla Perez, and Catie Mitchell

Amelia Kvalheim, Sana Sughra, Priscilla Perez, and Catie Mitchell 

 

This was the third annual student case competition held by the College of Public Health Alumni Society. The competition was originally created by CPH alumnus Steve Smith ‘77, with additional input and suggestions by CPH alumnus and current board member, Bob Campbell ‘79, ‘90.

 

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About The Ohio State University College of Public Health

The Ohio State University College of Public Health is a leader in educating students, creating new knowledge through research, and improving the livelihoods and well-being of people in Ohio and beyond. The College's divisions include biostatistics, environmental health sciences, epidemiology, health behavior and health promotion, and health services management and policy. It is ranked 29th among all colleges and programs of public health in the nation, and first in Ohio, by U.S. News and World Report. Its specialty programs are also considered among the best in the country. The MHA program is ranked 8th, the biostatistics specialty is ranked 22nd, the epidemiology specialty is ranked 25th and the health policy and management specialty is ranked 17th.