PATHS Student, Noah Stormski, Presented on Vaccine Hesitancy

September 19, 2022

Noah Storemski is a second-year student participating in the PATHS program with the 2021 co-hort.  He is currently studying under the Direct Support Para-Professional track and fulfilling his practicum. He has been hired to work with Vanessa Richard, Program Coordinator, of a grant through Administration for Community Living (ACL) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 

Funding through the grant allows for critical services to help communities combat COVID-19 and ensure vaccines are equally accessible to the disability population.  Activities within this grant include education about the importance of receiving a vaccine, identifying people unable to independently travel to a vaccination site, help with scheduling a vaccine appointment, providing companion/personal support during vaccine clinics and providing technical assistance to local health departments or other entities on vaccine accessibility. 

Noah has participated in activities with the grant and attended health fairs and mobile vaccine clinics in the area.  He has also participated in COVID research with local, state, and federal statistics to generate reports and disseminate information on a statewide survey for individuals with disabilities.  Most recently, Noah presented to his peers (PATHS 2021 and 2022 co-horts) about vaccine hesitancy on August 17th.  The presentation included information on COVID-19 and the different variances, how to protect yourself and others from spreading and getting COVID-19, vaccine availability and eligibility, and myths of the vaccine.