The Healthy Youth Survey (HYS) is a collaborative effort of the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Department of Health, the Department of Social and Health Service’s Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery, the Department of Commerce, and the Liquor Control Board.
The survey provides important information about youth in Washington. County prevention coordinators, community mobilization coalitions, community public health and safety networks, and others use this information to guide policy and programs that serve youth. The information from the Healthy Youth Survey can be used to identify trends in the patterns of behavior over time. In October 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, and 2012, students in grades 6, 8, 10, and 12 answered questions about safety and violence, physical activity and diet, alcohol, tobacco and other drug use, and related risk and protective factors.
The Camas School District will administer the Healthy Youth Survey to sixth, eighth, tenth, and twelfth grade students during the week of October 13-17, 2014. This year, the HYS will include optional questions regarding sexual behaviors, orientation, and abuse. Information about the enhanced survey can be found here. Additionally, the HYS Question and Answer Fact Sheet found here is very informative.
The district uses the data collected from the survey to make informed decisions around safety and student growth. Parents who wish to opt-out of participation of this survey may do so by contacting your student’s school office. If you have questions, please contact Glenn Hartman, Intervention Specialist, at 360-335-3000 ext. 78407.