Sexually Transmitted Infections & Teen Pregnancy Prevention Initiative (STITIPPI) Program for community values-based, age-aligned teen pregnancy and STI prevention education in the Great Plains Area. - TITLE: Sexually Transmitted Infections and Teen Pregnancy Prevention Initiative (STITPPI) Applicant: Great Plains Tribal Leaders Health Board 2611 Elderberry Blvd., Rapid City, SD 57703-5970 (605) 721-1922 – www.greatplainstribalhealth.org The Great Plains Tribal Leaders Health Board (GPTLHB) seeks funding for the Sexually Transmitted Infections and Teen Pregnancy Prevention Initiative (STITPPI), a culturally responsive program serving American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) youth ages 10–19 across 17 Tribal nations and one service area in the Great Plains Area of South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska, and Iowa. Although teen birth rates have declined nationally, AI/AN youth continue to experience the highest teen birth rates in the United States, and youth in the Great Plains Area face some of the nation's greatest disparities. AI/AN youth also experience disproportionately high rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). These challenges are influenced by poverty, geographic isolation, limited healthcare access, educational disparities, and a lack of consistent, culturally relevant sexual health education. Building on more than a decade of successful Tribal PREP programming, GPTLHB will expand services across Tribal and urban communities throughout the region. The program will provide medically accurate, age-appropriate, evidence-based education focused on teen pregnancy prevention, STI prevention, healthy relationships, and adulthood preparation. Positive Youth Development principles will be integrated throughout the program to strengthen self-confidence, decision-making skills, leadership, and future planning while respecting Tribal values, parental rights, and Tribal sovereignty. Year One will focus on planning and infrastructure development. GPTLHB will conduct a regional needs assessment, engage Tribal leaders and community stakeholders through Community Conversations, establish Tribal Advisory Groups and Youth Leadership Councils, and identify evidence-based curricula and adult preparation topics that align with community needs. An experienced evaluation partner will support assessment, planning, and performance measurement activities. Beginning in Year Two, selected curricula will be delivered in schools, after-school programs, camps, and community settings. Programming will address abstinence, contraception, STI prevention, healthy relationships, and adult preparation skills. Curricula will remain evidence-based while allowing flexibility to meet local community priorities and cultural considerations. The project aims to engage at least 50% of eligible youth in participating communities and establish programming in every partner Tribe. Participation is expected to grow from 30–50 youth in Year 1 to 125–175 youth by Year 5. Expected outcomes include increased sexual health knowledge, improved self-efficacy, stronger healthy relationship skills, delayed sexual initiation, and reduced sexual risk behaviors. Over time, STITPPI will help reduce teen pregnancy and STI rates while strengthening Tribal capacity to sustain prevention programming across the Great Plains Area.
