Success Through Healthy Choices
The
U.S. has one of the highest teen pregnancy rates, teens account for
almost half of sexually transmitted infections each year, and the largest group of
new rates of HIV infection impact people who are 14-24 years old. African American females
also account for a disproportionate rate of new HIV infections—the highest of
any other race/ethnicity most infected through heterosexual sex. Teens also
account for the highest rate of sexual assault or acquaintance rape and
relationship violence.Created by the
Alcohol and Drug Prevention Department at Columbus Public Health, the Success Through Healthy Choices program (SUCCESS) works
to break the cycle of high-risk behaviors for substance abuse, HIV and sexually
transmitted infections, dating violence, and teen pregnancy.
The SUCCESS program uses the evidence-based curriculum "Safe Dates" along with the National
Health Education Standards and the Center for Disease Control recommendations
for HIV prevention education.
The
comprehensive sexual health curriculum is designed for ages 14-18 where
students meet in confidential, gender-specific, small discussion-based groups
that do not exceed 10 participants, running 60 minutes. Youth are able to
process emotions and feelings in healthy ways and are provided with resources
needed to make safe healthy decisions that foster empowerment. Increased attention is paid on sexual identity
including LGBTQ awareness as this population continues to face high rates of
harassment and suicide attempts. During the program, youth participate in a
risk reduction plan looking at past high-risk behaviors, and discuss how to
decrease their risk moving forward using a harm reduction model.
Topics are introduced through
the use of age-appropriate activities, such as art, games, books, videos and
other media topics. Topics include: sexuality and sexual identity, healthy relationships
with self and others, sexual activity, sexually transmitted infections (STIs),
HIV, sexual assault, relationship violence, and how alcohol/drugs impact
relationships, sexual decision making, and safety. The discussions also include education
about forms of contraception, abstinence, STI/HIV testing resources and other
community resources available. While sexual health and contraception are
discussed openly, there will not be any distribution of condoms or other forms
of contraception.
Goals
of the SUCCESS program are to:
- Increase
understanding of healthy relationships
- Increase
understanding of the body, including self-care and hygiene
- Increase
awareness of dating violence and other forms of relationship abuse
- Decrease
teen pregnancy rates
- Decrease
HIV/STI rates among teens
- Increase
HIV/STI testing numbers for teens
- Increase
understanding of how alcohol and drugs increase sexual health risk
- Link
youth to needed resources such as testing and women’s health
- Increase
school retention
- Increase
self-care and resiliency to empower low-risk choices
The SUCCESS program is grant funded through
ADAMH and offered at select Columbus City and Worthington Schools. If you would like to start this
program at your location or have questions, call 614-645-6839.