Abstinence - The new 4 letter word

Abstinence program gets $2.4M Federal grant adds staff, programs By Peggy Kreimer Post staff reporter A program to teach teens how and why to refrain from sexual activity until marriage just got a $2.4 million federal grant to continue the work in Northern Kentucky schools for the next three years. The grant will allow the New Hope Center Abstinence Program, which serves 42 schools in Boone, Campbell, Grant, Kenton and Pendleton counties, to expand into Gallatin County and to add staff and new programs for young and older teens, said grant director Karen Andrea. The program started three years ago with a $1.2 million federal grant and has reached nearly 30,000 teens through school programs, health fairs and programs for community groups, Andrea said. Of the 42 schools, 38 are public junior and senior high schools and four are parochial schools. "This is not a religious or political program, the curriculum is medically based," said Andrea. "We're trying to equip kids to make good decisions." The education program is a project of the New Hope pregnancy center, which provides pro-life counseling and support for women dealing with unplanned pregnancies. The center will not refer for abortions, but will offer help for people who want to deal with adoption or keeping the baby. The center offers free pregnancy tests, ultrasound, pre-natal classes, parenting classes, and referrals and help with housing and other needs. The pregnancy center is financially separate from the school abstinence program, and none of the grant money goes to the center, Andrea said. The program curriculum meets the Kentucky core curriculum requirements. The funding doubles the budget and will allow the program to expand to new schools and to add at least three new staff positions, including two educators, one to be Spanish-speaking, and a youth programmer. The program has 10 paid educators now. "We want to add a youth development component where kids would plan their own reinforcement activities for any kind of risky behavior - drugs, drinking, smoking, sexual behavior," Andrea said. Actiivities could include pre-prom programs, leadership retreats and training. The school programs are eight-day education sessions that include films, workbook activities and student participation exercises. Students learn about sexually transmitted diseases, Andrea said. "People talk about safe sex, but they're just talking about protection from pregnancy." She said one in four teens has a sexually transmitted disease. One of the most common is HPV, which is a leading cause of cervical cancer in women. Bacterial diseases can be cured, but viral diseases can be treated only, she said. "Herpes is the most prevalent because there is no cure. You keep passing it on."