Student Research Assistant, CYAN

SUMMARY

Organization Summary
The California Youth Advocacy Network (CYAN) is an independent agency working under the auspices of Heluna Health, a 501(c)3 fiscal sponsor.

CYAN currently employs seven staff.

Funding is primarily through competitive grants from sources such as the California Department of Public Health – Tobacco Prevention Program.

Since 1997, CYAN has been providing tobacco control services in California and throughout the country.

What began as a youth advocacy program has grown into a multi-dimensional organization with focused programs in higher education and youth.

CYAN currently provides technical assistance, training, campaign support and networking opportunities to local health agencies, community-based organizations, colleges/universities, and individuals working toward a smoke/tobacco-free California.

Project Background
CYAN, in partnership with the Public Health Institute/Alcohol Research Group (PHI/ARG) and Ohlone College, are conducting a pilot study to examine community college student tobacco use and co-use with alcohol and cannabis; investigate the extent of student screening and intervention services; and identify student-centered strategies for increased utilization of substance abuse services.

Funding for this project is from the Tobacco Related Disease Research Program (TRDRP), a program of the University of California Office of the President.

Student Research Assistants are supervised by the CYAN Project Director and/or the Research and Education Program Manager.  They will work with a team of researchers from CYAN, Ohlone College, and PHI/ARG to assess substance use screening and utilization of services at California Community Colleges.

Allan Hancock College students will also receive additional support from a representative from their Student Health Center.

Project Activities
Students will have an opportunity to receive training and participate in research activities with academic and community partners.

Core activities include but are not limited to:

• Development of key informant and focus group interview guides
• Participate in student focus groups at community colleges
• Transcription of notes from interviews
• Qualitative data analysis (i.e., key informant interviews and focus groups)
• Quantitative data analysis (i.e., surveys)
• Draft manuscripts

Student Research Assistant Infrastructure
This position is not a traditional student assistant job with regular set hours or a pre-determined scope of work.

There will be a set of required activities that all student researchers will be expected to do such as attend training and support qualitative and quantitative data collection.

The student research position is designed for students to learn, gain practical experience, and grow—as scholars, workers, and advocates.

Public health, health sciences, and social science students interested in pursuing a career in public health and/or research are encouraged to apply.

We will offer a rob...