|
CONTACT: Beth Kaplan, (608) 267-3810
WISCONSIN AWARDED $4.7 MILLION FOR TEEN HEALTHY
BEHAVIOR PROGRAMS
Teen Pregnancy Prevention, Health and Family
Communication Emphasized
MADISON – Wisconsin will receive $4.7 million over five years to
prevent unintended teen pregnancy and reducing the youth cases of STD and
HIV/AIDS according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS). Grant-funded programs will also
help young people improve
communication with parents, maintain healthy relationships and understand
basic financial topics.
“These cost-effective programs help young people see that they have
positive options and give them tools to stay healthy, prevent early
parenthood and work with their parents to achieve their goals,” said
Karen Timberlake, DHS Secretary. “For each child making a healthier
choice for themselves, we also realize cost savings in Wisconsin’s
Medicaid program and other programs as well.”
The grant funding comes from the Personal Responsibility Education
Program (PREP) which is a component of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The
grant will support programs targeted at youth ages 10 to 19, especially
at-risk youth who are homeless, in foster care, live in areas with high
teen birth rate or are living with HIV/AIDS. Programs will also be
required to reach out to African American, Hispanic and Native American
youth.
“Reducing teen pregnancy and STD rates are high priority goals in our
Healthiest Wisconsin 2020 plan. By helping more at-risk kids understand
the consequences of unintended pregnancies and infection, these additional
federal resources will move us closer to our goal of improved health for
our state’s young people,” said Timberlake.
The Department of Health Services (DHS) will partner with the
departments of Children and Families (DCF) and Public Instruction (DPI) to
plan and manage the grant. Funding will be awarded through a request for
application process to local, community-based organizations, public health
and human services agencies, local school districts and others.
Wisconsin has received several grants through the ACA, which will
improve health care in the state.
###
Last Revised: October 08, 2010 |
