Current Programs
4Real Health: Orleans Teen Pregnancy Prevention Project
(taken from the February 22, 2011 press release)
The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded $30 million in teen pregnancy prevention grants to six LA organizations. It is projected that the programs will reach more than 20,000 youth statewide over five years. Thousands of applicants applied for the competitive grants which support the replication of teen pregnancy prevention programs that have been shown to be effective through rigorous research as well as the testing of new, innovative approaches to combating teen pregnancy, but nationally only ninety-three were awarded to a diverse set of organizations. One of the selected organizations, LPHI (Louisiana Public Health Institute), has contracted CIS to implement these programs in the New Orleans area.
The 4Real Health project, which represents four pillars: STD prevention, pregnancy prevention, nutrition and physical activity, will be implementing two programs for African-American New Orleans youth ages 14-18. The project will target high-risk youth to address the gaps in sex education and prevention services.
Becoming a Responsible Teen (BART) program will target youth for the sole purpose of decreasing STD, HIV, and pregnancy among teens. BART helps teens clarify their own values about sexual activity; make decisions that will help them avoid becoming infected with HIV/AIDS, and learn skills to put their decisions into action. The BART program provides youth with the skills to refuse unwanted invitations and to protect themselves if or when they become sexually active.
The Healthy Living program provides teens with basic nutritional information and includes a physical education component. “Teen pregnancy is a serious national problem and we need to use the best science of what works to address it,” said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. “Teen pregnancy short-circuits the futures of young parents and their children. It is critical that we work with states and communities to give our young people the tools and information they need to make wise decisions that will ensure their health and success.”
The state of Louisiana currently has the 18th highest teen pregnancy rate and ranks 13th for teen birth rates in the nation. A significant amount of the programming will take place in New Orleans where research has shown that youth are twice as likely than the national average to have sex before the age of 13.
“The Federal Government has been a great partner throughout our city’s recovery, and we thank the Department of Health and Human Services for supporting our community’s innovative effort to reduce teen pregnancy,” said Dr. Karen DeSalvo, Health Commissioner for the City of New Orleans.
For more information about this program, please contact the Health Education Coordinator, Shantice Atkins, at satkins.cisno@gmail.com or 504-232-6479.
"Five Basics"
Communities In Schools believes that every child needs and deserves these "Five Basics."
- A one-on-one relationship with a caring adult
- A safe place to learn and grow
- A healthy start and a healthy future
- A marketable skill to use upon graduation
- A chance to give back to peers and community
