Thursday, April 25, 2024
4/25/2024
Youth with intellectual disabilities (ID) are at increased risk for pregnancy, STIs, and sexual abuse, stemming in part from inequities in access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information and care. Few sex education curricula exist for youth with ID that are comprehensive, affirming of rights to sexual expression, trauma-informed, and medically accurate. Planned Parenthood of Greater New York (PPGNY) will convene a multidisciplinary partnership network to explore, develop, test, refine, evaluate, and disseminate innovative teen pregnancy prevention programming for teens and young adults (ages 16-24) with mild to moderate ID, as well as their families and the professionals who serve them. The Partner Network will bring together PPGNY’s expertise in SRH education and care with that of other key stakeholders: youth with ID, their families, and ID-specialized social service, education, and advocacy professionals. Seven partners have committed to joining the Network with PPGNY, including four organizations with long histories of direct service provision for youth with ID; an academic expert in disability rights and law; a robust network of self-advocates; and the New York City Administration for Children’s Services. In Year 1, partners will collaborate on formative research to support creation of a set of tools and curricula for youth, family, and professional education on SRH. Years 2 and 3 will be devoted to testing, refining, and evaluating these products with a focus on feasibility of implementation; adaptability for developmental age and learning styles across contexts; and preliminary evidence of efficacy to impact SRH knowledge, communication, and behavioral intentions.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
