A Nationwide Movement to Help Youth Live Safer, Healthier, More Successful Lives With Our Youth Wellbeing Platform

We go beyond a traditional youth risk assessment tool to deliver a true youth wellbeing platform, complete with evidence-based tools, trauma-responsive technology, and comprehensive programs proven to identify risk earlier, intervene faster, and empower every youth to thrive.

Meet Our Founder

Dedicated to Changing the Odds for All Youth

Dr. Jennifer Salerno has always believed that the key to improving youth health outcomes lies at the intersection of evidence-based practice and human connection.

As a nationally recognized clinician, researcher, and social entrepreneur, Jennifer brings decades of experience in pediatric care, adolescent development, and school-based health services to her role as the founder and CEO of Possibilities for Change.

Jennifer Salerno, DNP, CPNP, FAANP

Her journey began as a nurse practitioner serving youth in under-resourced communities.

There, she witnessed firsthand the growing crisis of adolescent mental health—marked by school violence, self-harm, substance use, and isolation.

But what impacted her most were the stories of the youth themselves: their silent struggles, unmet needs, and the absence of tools that could truly identify and address their risks.

While leading the University of Michigan’s School-Based Health Center program, Jennifer developed RAAPS (Risk Adolescent Prevention Screening)—a clinically validated tool that enables early identification of behavioral, emotional, and physical health risks among youth.

But she didn’t stop there.

Recognizing the systemic barriers to effective intervention, she launched Possibilities for Change to take the RAAPS methodology and other clinician-developed tools to a national scale, supported by intuitive technology and a trauma-informed approach.

Jennifer’s work is fueled by both data and compassion.

As a mother of two, she knows what it’s like to worry about the world our kids are growing up in.

As a provider, she understands the realities youth face in systems not built to support them holistically.

Through Possibilities for Change, she has created a platform that reflects her deep belief: that all young people—no matter their zip code, background, or current challenges—deserve access to support that helps them grow into their strongest, healthiest, most successful selves.

Our School Health Screening Technology and Methodology: Forged at the Intersection of Academic Excellence and Clinical Innovation

Possibilities for Change was launched from Dr. Jennifer Salerno’s work at the University of Michigan, where she led the School-Based Health Center program, spearheaded the launch of the Adolescent Health Initiative and pioneered the development of RAAPS, a short form comprehensive youth risk screening tool. This collaboration allowed clinical expertise, research rigor, and community engagement to come together in one transformative solution.

Bringing this innovation beyond the university setting was made possible through U-M’s Innovation Partnerships—an office dedicated to commercializing breakthrough ideas from the university’s top minds. With their support, Dr. Jen was able to license and scale the RAAPS methodology and other solutions nationally, ensuring they reached the professionals and youth who needed them most. Today, that early partnership continues to shape our mission and amplify our impact across schools, clinics, and communities nationwide.

Our School Mental Health Screening Program: Built in Partnership Between Clinicians and High-Tech Developers

Together we’re:

Expanding access to comprehensive screening.

Empowering students and schools with actionable next steps.

Providing seamless IT integration.

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Scaling Our Youth Wellbeing Platform for Both Quality and Equity

Since 2010, thousands of schools, healthcare settings, and community organizations are leveraging our tools, technology and programs to create stronger and more responsive systems of support for young people in need.

1.5+ Million

Total Screenings Completed

~1 Million

Youth Screened

Nearly 80%

Screenings Conducted in Medically Underserved Areas

93%

Client Retention Rate

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