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Sexual Health Programming

Evidence-Based Programming

Community Assessments

Adapting Evidence-Based Programs

Schools and Evidence-Based Programs

Sexual Health Symposium

Visit the ACT Youth Network Sexual Health Pages

Youth Voice

What kind of information about sexual health do you and your friends need right now?

Everything! We don't want it sugar-coated. Sugar-coating leads to people ending up in situations where they don't know what to do.

Heard you can't get pregnant in certain ways, i.e., hot tub, salt water...Address all the myths.

That they can meet with their doctor/pediatrician without their parents present.

Preliminary Findings: Adolescent Sexual Health Focus Group Study

PDF (568K)

Planning for Evidence-Based Programming

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How can communities support their young people in preventing early pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections? Increasingly, funders are requiring that communities improve the effectiveness of their prevention efforts by including evidence-based programming. Working with Healthy Teen Network and the ABCD Institute, ACT for Youth has gathered resources to help community-based providers plan strategically for better outcomes.

Comprehensive Planning

For communities seeking to address adolescent sexual health, the framework Promoting Science-Based Approaches Using Getting To Outcomes (PSBA-GTO) offers a comprehensive planning process that connects a thorough community assessment to evidence-based programming, implementation, evaluation, and sustainability strategies. Adapted from the original Getting to Outcomes framework developed by Abe Wandersman and colleagues in 2004, the PSBA-GTO was developed, piloted, and improved by the Centers for Disease Control, ETR Associates and Healthy Teen Network. It has been used across the country by statewide coalitions seeking to prevent teen pregnancy, STDs, and HIV infection.

Planning Resources:

Planning for Evidence-Based Programming: PSBA-GTO by Jutta Dotterweich, ACT for Youth Center of Excellence (2010) - This 11-minute presentation offers an overview of this recommended planning framework.
Little PSBA-GTO (PDF: 379K) - This CDC document introduces the planning process.

Community Assessment

PSBA-GTO begins with a comprehensive community needs and resources assessment. For approaches, resources, and tools, visit Comprehensive Community Assessments.

Evidence-Based Programming and Adaptation

To achieve results, program providers must adhere to the core elements of any evidence-based program they have selected. But sometimes implementation of standardized programs is hindered by external circumstances and conditions such as class length, school events, or even bad weather; or it is challenged by parental or school staff resistance to certain content such as a condom demonstration. Is it possible to adapt a program and still achieve positive outcomes? Adapting Evidence-Based Programs offers adaptation guidelines and resources.