Looking to improve public spaces in your community or develop new health initiatives? TSET Built Environment Grants and TSET Discovery Grants will open in just three weeks!
Requests for Applications for both opportunities will be posted on the TSET website on Tuesday, Nov. 19. Applications will be accepted through Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025.
Learn more HERE. For more details on eligibility, project requirements and how to apply, visit TSET’s funding page.
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Youth vaping remains stubbornly prevalent in Oklahoma. According to the latest Oklahoma Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), nearly 22% of high school students vape - more than double the national average.
However, the 2024 National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS) shows a big drop nationally in youth vaping — from 10% to 7.8% of high school students.
There is other good news. The percentage of Oklahoma high school students attempting to quit using tobacco products, including vapes, is on the rise. The YRBS shows 58.7% of students who used tobacco in the past year have tried to quit - up from 45.3% in 2017.
TSET is committed to changing that number. The TSET Healthy Youth Initiative includes Behind the Haze, a source that educates teens about the harmful ingredients in vape juice and vapor, as well as the health consequences associated with vaping. Quit the Hit is a cessation support group that educates young people ages 13-24 about how to quit vaping through group chats on Instagram. And My Life, My Quit offers youth between 13 - 17 cessation support through free live texting and web chat support personalized for them.
For parents and teachers, TSET offers Talk About Tobacco, a comprehensive website with resources including conversation guides and interactive games.
In October 2004, Jonás Mata saw tremendous opportunities at TSET that he just couldn’t pass up.
“I joined TSET since it offered a great opportunity to create programs and improve upon the grants making processes of a new agency,” he said.
Much has changed since Mata joined the agency 20 years ago. Notably, the adult smoking rate in Oklahoma was 26.1 percent in 2004, now it’s at an all-time low of 15.6 percent.
Mata and his TSET colleagues and partners have dedicated the past 20 years to creating a healthier Oklahoma, resulting in generational benefits.
“Our initial work in schools helped build momentum for the eventual executive order and law change making schools tobacco-free,” he said, upon reflection. “I also think we’ve brought great awareness to Oklahoma regarding the hazards of tobacco to users and the impact of secondhand smoke on non-users.”
TSET has grown over the past two decades with new programs and greater influence. Today, Mata has a new role as program architect, guiding the research and development of new grant opportunities and partnerships to expand TSET’s impact, and his passion for the organization is greater than ever.
When asked what he enjoys about his new role, Mata said, “Designing new approaches to our work based upon best practice and what is working in Oklahoma and in other states.”
Happy 20th anniversary, Jonás!
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Perspective: Julie Bisbee in the Journal Record
No two businesses are the same. Each workplace is as unique as the individuals they employ. NewView Oklahoma is unique for the opportunities it provides to improve the health and wellness for its employees and clients.
With funding from a TSET Discovery Grant, NewView Oklahoma last year opened a new walking path and garden at their Oklahoma City manufacturing plant. The walking path is entirely ADA-accessible with guides for those who use canes and tactile sculptures created by local artists.
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The TSET Better Health Podcast is published every other month. On the months without a new release, we invite you to revisit earlier episodes you may have missed.
Episode 45 focused on the rise of youth vaping and efforts that are underway to reduce it. State Rep. Cynthia Roe, R-Lindsay, spoke on bills she proposed to reduce youth access to vape products, and two high school students discussed how and why teens vape. Kelli Brodersen, director of TSET Strategic Communication, described TSET ad campaigns that speak to youth about the dangers of vaping and how to quit when they are ready.
"Vaping is new enough that we don't really know yet what the long-term health consequences are," said Roe. "I think by catching these kids earlier, we can hopefully reduce some of the long-term healthcare issues that they may have."
The podcast is available on TSET's website and everywhere podcasts are listened to: Spotify, TuneIn, Stitcher, PodBean, Google Podcasts and Apple Podcasts.
TSET is staffed by a dedicated and passionate group of people. This month, we would like to introduce Lauren Carter Ford.
Lauren Carter Ford has served as the policy manager for TSET since January 2020.
"Public service is important to me," said Ford, "and I have chosen roles with missions to help improve the lives of others. That is why I am so proud to work at TSET. I value the essential work it does to improve health in our state and enjoy educating people about it."
Ford previously worked in development at the United Way of Central Oklahoma and in Washington D.C as a policy associate at World Food Program USA, at the U.S Department of Labor in legislative affairs and for U.S. Senator Mark Pryor. Ford has a Master of Arts in International Relations from the University of Oklahoma and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Arkansas.
Read about the rest of the team HERE.
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