Local Organization Receives $1.2 Million to Implement Teen Programs

Riverside Community Health Foundation (RCHF) was awarded a $1.2 million Personal Responsibility and Education Program (CA PREP) grant by the California Department of Public Health, Center for Family Health Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Division on March 6. RCHF will receive $400,000 a year to implement teen programs in Riverside County for the next PREP grant cycle that extends from 2015 to 2018. In total 22 agencies across the state received a PREP Grant for 2015-2018, but RCHF was the only agency in Riverside County to receive funding. “This funding will allow us to continue to strengthen our teen and youth programs in Riverside and throughout the region,” said Dr. Dan Anderson, President/CEO of RCHF. RCHF also received this grant in 2012, but will be extending to other parts of the county with the new funding. With the funding, RCHF’s Health Educators will implement the “Be Proud! Be Responsible!” curriculum, an evidence-based curriculum that provides adolescents with the knowledge, motivation and skills necessary to change their behavior and reduce their risk of pregnancy or contracting HIV or other sexually-transmitted diseases. The curriculum consists of six 50-minute sessions, which can be presented over one to six days with time before and after to administer an entry and exit survey, respectively. RCHF will be implementing them in traditional high school and alternative education settings throughout Riverside County, in schools such as Norte Vista High School, Alvord Continuation High School, Lincoln High School, John Muir Charter School, and Perris High School. RCHF plans to reach approximately 1,238 students a year with the grant funding.