Possibilities For Change

As a Nurse Practitioner and Director of the University of Michigan School-Based Health Center program, Dr. Jennifer Salerno faced the daily challenge of identifying and reducing risky behaviors among the youth she served. She lacked the necessary tools, technology and systems to pinpoint potential issues and effectively create change. Considering nearly 75% of serious injury and adolescent death is a result of preventable, risky behaviors, Jennifer knew something needed to be done. There needed to be a change. Out of that experience, Possibilities for Change was born. With her team of advisors, medical professionals, and most importantly, adolescents, Jennifer developed the initial RAAPS risk screening system while at the University of Michigan. She then started Possibilities for Change in order to expand access to RAAPS outside of UM and provide professionals with the training, tools and systems necessary to identify and reduce risk behaviors. Possibilities for Change is about identifying risks, improving outcomes and changing lives.