1. Ford School assists American Heart Association of Southeastern Michigan on ‘Tobacco in Schools’ policies

    Mark Rivett posted July 13, 2021

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    Two Ford School student fellows have been selected to work with the American Heart Association (AHA) of Metro Detroit to identify best practices for reducing tobacco usage among high school student populations. AHA, the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health for all, has partnered with the Ford School of Public Policy to assist in the research and development of Michigan’s ‘Tobacco in Schools’ policies.

    Brenna Gross (BA ‘22) and Arron McDonald (BA ‘22) have been selected as U-M student Tobacco in School Elimination fellows and are working together to examine best practices and current research to identify ways to reduce tobacco use among student populations. Gross and McDonald work under the direct supervision of DeAndre’ J. Calvert, Community Engagement Manager at the Ford School’s Program in Practical Policy Engagement’s (P3E) and AHA’s Community Impact Director Michael Randall.

    Randall says, “The partnership with the Ford School is invaluable to our efforts to ensure public schools in Michigan are supporting students suffering from tobacco and vaping addiction. Brenna and Arron bring a fresh perspective to our work and have been essential to our strategy as it relates to engaging schools and providing policy recommendations. I look forward to continuing this partnership for many years to come.”

    LaSonia Forte, Associate Director of State Outreach, launched this collaboration between the American Heart Association and the Ford School of Public Policy.