OIC of South Florida Sexual Risk Avoidance Program - OIC of South Florida (OIC) has served South Florida for 22 years with a mission to provide quality self-help skills and employment opportunities that empower disadvantaged and underemployed individuals to achieve self-sufficiency and long-term success. Since launching its Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention (APP) program in 2004, OIC has implemented more than $35.2 million in government-funded initiatives supporting adolescent pregnancy prevention (including PREP), positive youth development (PYD), and healthy relationship education. Through this project, OIC will deliver evidence-based programming to youth ages 13–19 and pregnant or parenting youth under age 21 to reduce teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV/AIDS, while promoting healthy decision-making, responsible behaviors, and successful transition to adulthood. Participants will build protective factors and life skills that strengthen their ability to make informed choices, establish healthy relationships, and pursue positive educational and career pathways. The program includes coordinated referrals to community partners that support participants' physical, behavioral, and social well-being. AMTC & Associates will provide Program Performance and Local Evaluation services. Target Population(s): The project will serve low-income youth ages 13–19 and pregnant or parenting youth under age 21 who reside in Broward County communities with elevated rates of teen pregnancy, STIs, and poverty. Participants will include youth facing barriers that place them at increased risk for poor health and educational outcomes, including youth involved in foster care, juvenile justice, or multiple service systems; youth experiencing homelessness or housing instability; youth with behavioral health or substance use challenges; youth at risk of dropping out of school; pregnant or parenting youth; and other economically disadvantaged youth who would benefit from evidence-based prevention and youth development services. Needs to Be Addressed: The combined teen birth rate (TBR) for the target community is 20.6, more than three times higher than the remainder of Broward County (6.8). The community also experiences disproportionately high rates of sexually transmitted infections, with teen chlamydia rates exceeding twice those of Broward County and Florida and teen gonorrhea rates approaching three times those of both. Nearly one in five residents (18.7%) lived below the federal poverty level in 2022, including nearly 30% of children under age 18. In addition, unemployment rates remain elevated, and educational attainment is significantly lower than county, state, and national averages. These factors contribute to increased vulnerability and demonstrate the continued need for comprehensive, evidence-based prevention services that strengthen youth and families. Proposed Services: OIC will implement the evidence-based Love Notes 4.0 curriculum together with the six required Adulthood Preparation Subjects to serve 1,925 youth ages 13–19 and pregnant or parenting youth under age 21 over a three-year period. Programming will promote positive youth development, healthy relationships, responsible decision-making, educational and career success, financial literacy, and other essential life skills that support successful transition into adulthood. Participants will be assessed to identify individual needs and connected to youth-friendly health care and community resources when appropriate. In addition, OIC will engage 400 parents and caregivers through educational workshops and an online learning platform designed to strengthen parent-child communication, increase awareness of adolescent risk and protective factors, and equip families with practical strategies to support healthy youth development and informed decision-making.
