93.060: Sexual Risk Avoidance Education

93.060

Active

Administration for Children and Families (ACF) [HHS]

Sept. 13, 2022

Sept. 13, 2022

The purpose of this program is to promote sexual risk avoidance education as defined by section 1110 of the Social Security Act, for adolescents. The focus of the program is to teach participants how to voluntarily refrain from non-marital sexual activity, and teach the benefits associated with self-regulation, success sequencing for poverty prevention, healthy relationships, goal setting, resisting sexual coercion, dating violence, and other youth risk behaviors such as underage drinking or illicit drug use without normalizing teen sexual activity. Recipients use an evidenced based approach and/or evidence-informed strategies to educate youth on how to avoid risks that could lead to non-marital sexual activity. SRAE projects are implemented using a Positive Youth Development (PYD) framework as part of risk avoidance strategies, to help participants build healthy life skills, develop individual protective factors that reduce risks, empower youth to make healthy decisions, and provide tools and resources to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Linking program participants to services provided by local community partners that support the safety and well-being of youth is also a key component to the program. The services are targeted to youth ages 10 to 19 and participants that reside in areas with high rates of teen births and/or are at greatest risk of contracting STIs. The program’s goals are to empower participants to make healthy decisions, and provide tools and resources to prevent pregnancy, STIs, and youth engagement in other risky behaviors. Recipients must agree to use medically accurate information referenced to peer-reviewed publications by educational, scientific, governmental, or health organizations and implement an evidence-based approach integrating research findings with practical implementation that aligns with the needs and desired outcomes for the intended audience.

B - Project Grants (Discretionary)

Grants made under the authority of section 1110 of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1310 shall be made only to public and private entities that agree to use medically accurate information referenced to peer-reviewed publications by educational, scientific, governmental, or health organizations; implement an evidence-based approach integrating research findings with practical implementation that aligns with the needs and desired outcomes for the intended audience; and teach the benefits associated with self-regulation, success sequencing for poverty prevention, healthy relationships, goal setting, and resisting sexual coercion, dating violence, and other youth risk behaviors such as underage drinking or illicit drug use without normalizing teen sexual activity. Applicants eligible for SRAE funding are as follows: State, territorial, or county governments; City or township governments; Special district governments; Independent, regional, and local school districts; Public and state controlled institutions of higher education; Native American tribal governments (federally recognized); Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments); Non-profits having 501(c)(3) status with the IRS other than institutions of higher education; Non-profits without 501 (c)(3) status with the IRS other than institutions of higher education; Private institutions of higher education; For-profit organizations other than small businesses; Small businesses, Faith-based and community organizations that meet the eligibility requirements are eligible to receive awards. Applicants serving an emerging, unserved, or underserved population or remote geographic area are encouraged to apply for funding.

Youth populations, ages 10-19 and those that are at risk for non-marital sexual activity and other risk behaviors, benefit from the assistance. Vulnerable populations of youth include, but are not limited to: youth living in under resourced regions and areas with high rates of teen births and STIs, including HIV; culturally underrepresented youth populations, especially Hispanic, African American, or Native American teenagers; youth in or aging out of foster care or adjudication systems; youth who are victims of trafficking; runaway and homeless youth; and other vulnerable youth populations.

https://sam.gov/fal/c2b2c6e05a394e1b8401da0c6d56d0ac/view