[Archived] HHS Officials Learn About Teen Pregnancy Prevention Efforts

Christine Wong Mineta, ACAP PREP Grant Coordinator, presented highlights of the project's school and community teen pregnancy prevention efforts that address pregnancy and sexually transmitted infection prevention. She also noted the outcomes. Of the 193 youth who completed evaluations, 72 percent indicated improved attitudes towards abstinence; 93 percent indicated improved self-efficacy, meaning confidence in their ability to take action such correctly using a condom; 83 percent indicated improved attitudes towards using condoms; and 93 percent indicated knowledge gained.

HHS officials observed a teen pregnancy prevention presentation, “Becoming A Responsible Teen” (BART), facilitated by grant partner Capital Youth Empowerment Program, Inc.  BART is a curriculum and program that has been reviewed and approved by the Office of Adolescent Health. The BART curriculum includes topics and activities relevant to teen pregnancy prevention. Teens learn to clarify their own values about sexual decisions and pressures as well as practice skills to reduce sexual risk-taking. These include correct condom use, assertive communication, refusal techniques, self-management, and problem solving. Additionally, abstinence is woven throughout the curriculum and is discussed as the best way to prevent sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy.

The pregnancy prevention presentation also included a mindfulness, meditation and movement session conducted by YoKid…Stretch Your Limits. Two youth currently attending T.C. Williams High School, who formerly participated in the BART curriculum, shared their insights and experience about the project. A unique component of the school and community teen pregnancy prevention project includes movement, meditation and nutrition sessions supported by current research on adolescent brain development.

The project has reached over 250 youth to date at the following venues: T.C. Williams High School, T.C. Williams High School Satellite Campus, Chance for Change Academy, George Washington Middle School, Francis C. Hammond Middle School, Dunbar Alexandria-Olympic Boys and Girls Club, Community Lodgings, Sheltercare, New Beginnings Juvenile Detention Center, and the Alexandria Court Service Unit.

A committee of ACAP PREP Grant staff and partners, along with community members and other interested parties, are finalizing a sustainability plan to continue the program after the grant ends. For more information about ACAP’s school and community teen pregnancy prevention project, contact Christine Wong Mineta, Grant Coordinator at Christine.wong.mineta@alexandriava.gov or at 703.746.3479.