Addressing low-income communities and high-risk underserved
populations throughout the United States and its territories
   




Abstinence Education

The Border Health Foundation is keenly aware of the need to address risk factors that may lead to increasing teenage pregnancies along the U.S.-Mexico Border. In our Senderos (Abstinence Education) project we are aggressively addressing language and cultural factors in the delivery of Abstinence education to migrant and Hispanic adolescents (ages 12-18) and their parents.



Goals and Objectives
• Reduce teen pregnancy and premature sexual activity among adolescents.
• Increase effective communication between parents and children about abstinence until marriage as the expected norm.
• Offer a summer schedule of Abstinence Education and recreational activities for adolescents to provide an environment that promotes abstinence until marriage as the social norm among youth.

Methods/Activities
• Abstinence Education for 5,280 adolescents yearly in Borderland middle schools and high schools.
• Parent education sessions in churches, schools and other community facilities for 900 parents annually.
• A summer schedule for 315 youth which includes a week-long summer day camp.
• Abstinence prevention education at recreation and community centers.
• Referrals to health, counseling, social and faith-based services.
• A tested evidence-based curriculum called "Worth the Wait" has been implemented.
• Program activities are provided in English as well as regional Spanish for participants with limited English proficiency .