about the program

WestEd's Health & Human Development Program (HHDP) researches and evaluates conditions that promote positive youth development, school success, and well-being. Program staff are recognized nationwide as experts on youth risk behaviors and resilience factors that offset risks.

HHDP developed and maintains the nation’s most comprehensive school-based health and behavior data collection system: the Healthy Kids Survey for students, the School Climate Survey for staff, and the School Parent Survey. Analyses of data from these surveys have increased understanding of the relationship between health behaviors and academic performance.

Our program staff also implement effective approaches to preventing problem behaviors among youth and is the nation's leading evaluator of federally funded Safe Schools Healthy Students programs.