This dashboard contains data from the Virginia Young Adult Survey (YAS), a comprehensive survey of 18–25-year-olds on a variety of subjects including substance use, mental health, and gambling. The YAS was originally developed by OMNI Institute in conjunction with the Virginia State Epidemiological Outcomes Workgroup (SEOW) in 2016 and administered to selected communities as a part of Virginia’s Partnerships for Success (PFS) grant funded by SAMHSA from 2015-2020.

The Office of Behavioral Health Wellness expanded the YAS to be a statewide effort and part of the state's Substance Abuse Block Grant initiatives in FY2021-22, partnering with OMNI Institute to refine the survey tool to reflect increased cultural responsiveness, add questions pertaining to emerging areas of interest (e.g. gaming and gambling, cannabis), and expand language access of the survey to Spanish-, Pashto-, and Dari-speaking populations.

Supported by OMNI Institute, each CSB was responsible for administering the survey in their catchment area and this survey effort would not have been possible without all of their hard work and dedication.

In the Spring of 2022, the Virginia Young Adult Survey collected responses from 5,327 young adults across the Commonwealth with all but two localities represented. Responses come from a convenience sample so the participants may not be representative of the full young adult population in the state. Sub-group analyses were conducted to better understand the needs of various populations.

A biennial survey, the YAS will be administered again in Spring 2024.