Local non-profit organization, Intersections Inc., has been awarded a grant of $403,293 to support education programs that prevent and avoid sexual risks.
It’s one of over 60 organizations across the nation that are being funded by the US Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families.
This new funding is to support organizations helping adolescents to voluntarily refrain from sexual activity and to make healthy decisions in life.
Intersections Inc. will use the grant to develop Filifili Mea Sili, and to implement the evidence-based curricula, Choosing The Best, for the next three years.
The program is aimed at preventing teen pregnancies, reducing sexually transmitted infections, and reducing rates of associated sexual risk behaviors.
Executive Director of Intersections Inc., Moelili’a Seui, said, “Our goal is that our young people can have access to prevention education services that promote the success sequence of graduating from high school, getting a full-time job or a college degree, and wait until marriage to have children.
“We are honored and thrilled to be working together with our partners to help our youth make healthy decisions, and set goals that lead to optimal health and self-sufficiency.”
Choosing The Best is designed to teach youth personal responsibility, self-regulation, goal setting, healthy decision-making, establishing future goals, and how other risky behaviors, such as drug and alcohol use, increase the risk for teen sex. It will provide youth with strategies to help them set goals that lead to self-sufficiency and marriage before engaging in sexual activity.
Intersections acknowledged the support of Chairman Larry Sanitoa and Board of Directors, and their partners that have worked with them over the years to promote the message of adolescent sexual health Department of Education, Department of Health – Maternal and Child Health Division, American Samoa Alliance Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, and Heritage Community Services.
