Colorado Youth Matter Services on Evidence-Based and Promising Teen Pregnancy and HIV/STI Prevention Programming

If your organization is looking to implement evidence-based or innovative approaches to reduce teen pregnancy, HIV or sexually transmitted disease, you may be interested in resources, funding or services available to support you in these efforts. 

What are Evidence-Based, or Science-Based and Promising Programs?
Evidence-based (or science-based) programs have been rigorously evaluated and found to change sexual risk-taking behaviors (delaying the age of sexual intercourse; increasing condom and contraception use among sexually active youth; decreasing the numbers of sexual partners; decreasing frequency of sex).

A promising program is one that has evaluated to some extent and has shown some evidence of success in changing sexual risk-taking behavior.  Promising programs also have most of the characteristics of programs shown to be effective.

Colorado Youth Matter can support your organization in three ways:

1. Training in evidence-based programs for educators and facilitators;
2. Technical Assistance on assessing needs, program selection, implementation, evaluation, and sustainability
3. Resources on programs, research, and events

Trainings

Trainings on specific evidence-based or science-based program:

Colorado Youth Matter conducts trainings for educators, program providers and facilitators on the following evidence-based programs (The first three listed below are on the eligible list for Tier 1 HHS OAH Federal Funding):

• ¡Cuídate![Take Care of Yourself]
• Making Proud Choices
• Reducing The Risk
• Wyman’s Teen Outreach Program®
• Safer Choices Program*

For more information about each of these programs, please visit Advocates For Youth website.

Trainings on Program Planning, Fidelity, Evaluation and Sustainability:

Colorado Youth Matter can help you select, plan, implement, evaluate and sustain evidence-based programs and approaches.  Colorado Youth Matter provides training topics as:

• Conducting Needs Assessments
• Creating and Utilizing the Behavior-Determinant-Intervention Logic Models
• Creating SMART Goals and Objectives
• Identifying & Selecting Evidence-Based or Science-Based Programs
• Assessing  Programs or Curriculum For The Best Fit Within Your Program Setting
• Planning for Program Implementation
• Monitoring Fidelity
• Program Evaluation Basics
• Program Improvement and Sustainability
• Promising Programs:  Integrating the 17 Characteristics of Effective Programs

Colorado Youth Matter also provides the following trainings on related sexual health topics.  For other relevant training topics, please see Other Training Topics below.

Technical Assistance

More and more funders and communities are demanding evidence of program effectiveness and outcomes, however many programs cannot afford professional evaluators.  Colorado Youth Matter provides support for program planning, implementation, fidelity and evaluation processes that help you easily and succinctly demonstrate the true impact of your programs to current and potential funders.

Colorado Youth Matter staff is available to consult with and provide technical assistance to youth-serving and healthcare professionals throughout the state on a variety of topics related to program planning, selection, implementation, evaluation and sustainability.  Colorado Youth Matter technical assistance serves to increase the capacity of professionals and organizations to integrate and use science-based approaches and programs to prevent teen pregnancy, HIV and STIs.  Here are some of the ways in which Colorado Youth Matter can assist communities and professionals:

• Assessing Needs:
  • Developing and/or implementing community or organizational needs assessments related to teen pregnancy, HIV and STI prevention
  • Integrating and understanding research and data into program planning

• Logic Models:
  • Creating logic models to outline the specific health goals, sexual risk-taking behaviors, and risk and protective factors that your program aims to address

• Goals and Objectives:
  • Creating SMART program goals and objectives

• Selecting Programs:
  • Identifying programs and/or curricula that have been rigorously evaluated and proven effective in changing sexual risk-taking behavior (known as “science-based programs/curricula,” or evidence-based programs
  • Assessing which program or curriculum would fit best within your specific program setting
  • For Promising Programs: Assessing the components of a promising programs and integrating the 17 characteristics of effective programs.  Dr. Douglas Kirby and colleagues have developed a list of 17 characteristics of effective curriculum-based programs. The list of characteristics can be accessed at www.etr.org/recapp or www.healthyteennetwork.org.

• Program Implementation:
  • Assisting in planning the implementation of the program or curriculum
  • Fidelity Monitoring:  utilizing tools and strategies to ensure and monitor fidelity to the selected program

• Program Evaluation Consultation on the following Topics:
  • Developing appropriate evaluation plans
  • Developing and utilizing tools for process and outcome evaluation of the selected program
  • Piloting and refining evaluation tools
  • Implementation and analysis of the evaluation plan and tools

• Program Improvement and Sustainability:
  • Integrating evaluation data to improve programs
  • Identifying potential funding sources and developing a plan for sustainability of the selected program

The steps mentioned above are based on the Getting to Outcomes framework for program planning and sustainability, and provides the foundation for our technical assistance work.  Click here for an Overview of GTO.

Resources

Colorado Youth Matter disseminates information and resources to youth-serving and healthcare professionals, parents, youth, and decision makers in Colorado communities.

• e-KNOW: A monthly e-newsletter that highlights and provides links to the latest research, events, funding, and program resources available related to adolescent sexual health.  It also features a “community spotlight” discussing hot topics or recognizing champions in teen health.  Colorado Youth Matter publishes the e-KNOW at the beginning of each month.
• Website www.Colorado Youth Matter.org: Colorado Youth Matter updates this website frequently with current news articles, press releases, resources for professionals, and upcoming events.
• The State of Adolescent Sexual Health in Colorado: Colorado Youth Matter annually releases this report of state and national data and statistics on teen births, sexually transmitted diseases and its impact on Colorado youth and health disparities.  All data included in this report are gathered and compiled by Colorado Youth Matter from various sources, including the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• Access to Education: This brief highlights the importance of addressing drop-out prevention for pregnant and parenting teens using Title IX to promote their access to educational resources. Additionally, this report provides recommendations using other established public policy resources as means of providing practical solutions to help young women and their families reach their educational goals.  Click here
• Sex Education in Colorado Schools:  A Snapshot of Policy and Practice:  This publication presents findings from a statewide assessment of sexuality education and HIV prevention education in Colorado schools, and highlights recommendations to state and local organizations looking to address teen pregnancy and HIV/STIs through school-based interventions.