What is CAPP?
Comprehensive Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention (CAPP) is an initiative funded by the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) to support community-based efforts to reduce the risk of pregnancies, STDs, and HIV among New York State adolescents. The initiative strives to implement the dual strategy of reducing risks and building the protective factors that are necessary for optimal transition through adolescence into a healthy, productive, connected adulthood. Community projects were selected through a competitive Request for Applications (PDF: 5.3M) process.The CAPP initiative began January 1, 2011 with funding for 50 CAPP projects awarded to local community-based organizations throughout the state. In October, eight additional projects were funded through the CAPP initiative with federal Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP) funding. These projects are known as CAPP-PREP. The NYSDOH-funded ACT for Youth Center of Excellence (COE) provides training, technical assistance, and evaluation for the CAPP initiative.
Who is served by CAPP?
CAPP and CAPP-PREP community-based projects serve male and female youth ages 10-21, including pregnant and parenting, high risk, and disconnected youth, families, and target communities.How do CAPP providers accomplish their work?
Project activities are based on an assessment of community needs and resources. Based on this assessment, providers develop work plans within the framework of four core strategies that incorporate primary prevention and risk reduction as well as the philosophy of positive youth development.Through the CAPP initiative, projects are required to provide comprehensive sexual health education for youth ages 10-21 through the implementation of evidence-based programs; ensure access to family planning services; expand opportunities to build life skills; and advance a local community effort to improve the living environment for adolescents.