Data from guam S most recent epidemiological profile shows that guam S middle and high school students have hirer rates of tobacco and alcohol usage, and higher rates of feelings of sadness or…

The Department of the Interior's Office of Insular Affairs awarded a $250,000 Project Grant under the "Economic, Social, and Political Development of the Territories" (CFDA 15.875) program to the nonprofit organization Mañelu (doing business as BBBS Guam). This grant, awarded on July 24, 2023, will fund the "Fanhale Project" to develop social-emotional skills, leadership skills, community stewardship, and cultural identity in at-risk youth ages 9-15 who are indigenous Chamoru and from the Freely Associated States living in Guam. The project aims to address higher rates of tobacco/alcohol use, feelings of sadness/hopelessness, suicide ideation, and attempted suicide among middle and high school students in Guam compared to national youth data. The grant will support culturally-based social and emotional learning programs both in and out of school settings to positively impact the development and futures of this vulnerable youth population.

Data from guam S most recent epidemiological profile shows that guam S middle and high school students have hirer rates of tobacco and alcohol usage, and higher rates of feelings of sadness or hopelessness compared to youths in the united states. In the most recent youth data report from the guam epidemiological outcomes workgroup, data shows that guam high school students have higher rates of suicide ideation and attempted suicide. In all metircs, youth from the freely associated states and indigenous chamoru youth have the highest rates of at-risk behavior that can drastically alter a young person S future and hinder their potential and success. Through the fanhale project, mane LU proposes to develop strong social-emotional skills, leadership skills, community stewardship, and cultural identity in at-risk youth ages 9-15 who are indigenous chamoru and from the FAS through increasing access to culturally-based social and emotional (SEL) programs. Fanhale in guams indigenous language, chamoru, means to take root. The fanhale project will develop these roots in youth using a two-pronged approach that reinforces positive youth development in and out of school.