We recently welcomed our five new innovation teams to RTI International’s campus in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. These teams make up our second cohort of Launch innovators, and we’re thrilled to have them as part of the program. For the next 12 months, they will work on advancing their innovative solutions that address gaps in adolescent health. And we’ll be there along the way to answer questions, identify needs, and connect them with resources as they work toward making their innovations widely available and sustainable.  

Our five new teams are working on a wide range of innovations. Some are working to help specific populations, such as young people with intellectual and developmental disabilities or autistic youth. Others hope to reach teens more broadly through their schools or communities.  

Without further ado, here are our new teams: 

SafeBAE is a survivor-founded, youth-led national organization working to prevent sexual violence among middle and high school students in the U.S. The SafeBAE team is based in Rhode Island. During their time in Launch, SafeBAE is focused on scaling their 360° model, a full-spectrum, evidence-based approach that embeds lasting prevention across school systems. 

Empowered Together is a curriculum and training program created by Mad Hatter Wellness of Minnesota. Empowered Together is designed to inform and empower individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, equipping them with the essential skills needed to engage in healthy relationships, while effectively communicating about sexual self-advocacy and self-determination and working to prevent sexual assault and unhealthy relationships.

The #RelationshipGoals Program is a research-based relationship education program for teens 13-19 years old. Developed by researchers at Kansas State University, the #RG program allows partners to customize the curriculum content and delivery method to best meet the needs of youth in their community. During their time with Launch, #RelationshipGoals is working on developing an evaluation plan that incorporates the adaptive components of the program, as well as marketing the program nationwide.

ATLAS (Autistic Teens Learning About Sexuality) is an online, point and click adventure game designed for autistic youth. This innovation was created by a team at The University of Oklahoma. Through ATLAS, players explore high school life and learn new skills as they navigate stories about relationships, puberty, and sexuality. During their time with Launch, they will be working on additional development for their game and exploring ways to make it more widely available.

EyesOpenIowa provides high-quality, medically-accurate sexual health education to individuals and communities. During their time with Launch, they are working on advancing the Let’s Talk Game, an interactive card game designed to address sexual health conversations in a fun and engaging way.

We are honored that these teams have chosen to spend part of their journey with us and look forward to what their time with Launch will bring. Stay tuned to Launch channels to follow their progress over the next 12 months!