Project HART - Community Action Corporation of South Texas (CACOST), a private nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation, will champion the movement to educate youth in the service area to promote successful transition of youth to adulthood and the prevention and avoidance of sexual activity and other risky behaviors. CACOST’s Project Healthy Adolescent Relationships Today (HART) will continue to do this through the implementation of Love Notes 4.1 Abstinence Only (AO) curriculum with the Middle School Adaptation (MSA), an evaluated, evidence-based curriculum that uses a strengths-based approach to help youth gain knowledge and skills related to healthy relationships, life skills, dating violence, and sexual behaviors. Project HART will serve primarily seventh-grade teens in Brooks, Duval, Hidalgo, Jim Hogg, and Jim Wells counties in the school-based setting via local partnerships with seven school districts. In collaboration with implementation partners, Project HART will provide education on abstinence and adulthood preparation subjects, including healthy relationships, adolescent development, parent-child communication, educational and career success, and healthy life skills. These topics are integrated throughout the curriculum and reinforced through a Trusted Adult (TA) Connection at the end of each lesson, encouraging youth to discuss key concepts with a parent or other trusted adult. For example, Lesson 1 focuses on identifying healthy and unhealthy relationships, Lesson 3 encourages youth to explore expectations and goals for their future, and Lesson 9 addresses adolescent brain development, emotional regulation, and healthy decision-making. Through these activities and lessons, participants strengthen communication skills, build supportive adult connections, and develop the knowledge and skills needed for a successful transition to adulthood. CACOST is requesting $495,000 for the final project period (Year 3) of the grant cycle to implement Project HART. The goal is to serve 3,316 youth over the 3-year grant period. To date, Project HART has served 2,217 youth (856 in Year 1 and 1,361 in Year 2) and plans to serve 1,230 middle school/junior high students in Year 3; the program has exceeded its target reach in both Year 1 and Year 2. At program completion, the objective is for participants to increase 1) capacity to form and sustain healthy relationships, 2) knowledge of sexual issues; 3) self-efficacy and relationship skills to abstain or support return to abstinence; 4) self-regulation and motivation to avoid pregnancy and support healthy behaviors; 5) interpersonal communication knowledge and skills; and 6) positive connection and communication between parents/trusted adults and youth about relationships and sex. Ultimately, programming will lead to student success, less risk taking behavior, and a reduction in the rate of teen pregnancy and STIs in the proposed service area. The program will continue to be administered in accordance with the objectives of 1) family stability and child well-being; 2) work, self-sufficiency, and economic mobility; and 3) high-quality early care and learning. In addition, the program will continue to adhere to the following principles: 1) program integrity and fiscal stewardship; 2) evidence-based and outcome-focused practices; and 3) partnerships and local leadership.
