MTOTO: Mobilizing Towards Outcomes Through advOcacy

Children and Adolescents

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Research Updates

Updated January 2025
MTOTO stands for “Mobilizing Youth Towards Outcomes Through Advocacy." In this proposal, we developed and augmented a youth mobilizer program in San Mateo County to address health and mental health. We learned that there are many resources available for youth; however, the information about these resources is not always transparent. Our team solved this gap by making a resource sheet that simplified information for youth. We also learned that engaging in service – that is, being a youth mobilizer is beneficial for young people. It introduces them to health workforce careers in public health and medicine. Several of our youth mobilizers have applied to the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CHYBI) program to become Youth Leaders in that program.

Proposed Research and Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has had devastating impacts on youth. Among the most vulnerable have been BIPOC children and adolescents. While most students suffered learning loss and mental health symptoms, few young people sought out opportunities to engage with community. Rationale: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its disproportionate impacts on black and brown communities, Dr. Kim Rhoads created the Umoja Health coalition to reunite public health and health care, and work together with community to elevate health and wellness. In San Mateo County, Ms. Lisa Tealer and Kala Mehta utilized the Umoja model to support 54 pop up vaccination clinics, vaccinate over 15,000 people and led 90 community dialogues with over 70 community stakeholders.

A central part of all efforts were youth mobilizers, who advocated for community members. They delivered information about COVID-19 and access to services, their efforts addressing barriers for BIPOC community supported increases in COVID-19 vaccine and testing sites while simultaneously engaging in workforce development opportunities for their future careers, sometimes in health and medicine.

This Catalyst project seeks to expand the impacts of the youth mobilizer program in San Mateo County to increase access to care and advocacy for historically underrepresented community members, particularly members with chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and long COVID-19.