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The American Indian Youth Challenge Program
 The Department of Family and Community Health has provided a teen pregnancy prevention project since 1996, titled the “American Indian Youth Challenge Program”. The program is funded by California Department of Public Health, Office of Family Planning. This partnership has allows the California Rural Indian Health Board to successfully address teen pregnancy issues in Native American communities
In recent years, adolescent pregnancy, adolescent parenthood and pregnancy prevention has received increased public attention. Through this project, the California Rural Indian Health Board is able to provide culturally appropriate services to assist the American Indian population in reducing the social and economic risks of premature parenthood. The American Indian Youth Challenge Program has developed intervention strategies that promote comprehensive health education and youth development among males and females to reduce the number of adolescent and unwed pregnancies and involve parents and families in the prevention efforts among the American Indian community.
 CRIHB currently collaborates with 3 communities for this program. The communities include: Local Indians for Education (Redding), United Indian Health Services (Arcata) and United American Indian Involvement (Los Angeles). The program incorporates curriculum based prevention education and monthly talking circles for males and females as well as additional activities such as parent education events, annual training for collaborating staff and education/referrals to local Family PACT clinics.
The American Indian Youth Challenge Program proposes to serve the following target populations: Pre-sexually active adolescents, sexually active adolescents, pregnant and parenting adolescents, parents and families and adults at risk for unwed motherhood or absentee fatherhood. The mission of this program is “To provide culturally appropriate health promotion, prevention services, community education, and advocacy in order to reduce the number of adolescent and unwed pregnancies, reduce fatherlessness, and promote responsible parenting and the involvement of the father in the support of his children among the American Indian population.”
Click To Download PDF Files
Birth Control Information
Teen Parenthood Testimonials
Teen Pregnancy Statistics
Teen Pregnancies In California
STD Glossary
STD Statistics
STDs & Teens Article
Intimate Partner Violence
Links
Youth Council
The Youth Council was created in order to give youth leaders a voice in the American Indian Youth Challenge Program. At the beginning of this fiscal year, a letter was sent out to each of the Collaborators for the program, a request was made to them to nominate youth members who would be capable and willing to assist in the development of a Youth Council for this grant.
Based on the nomination forms, the Youth Council members were designated and work on various grant projects commenced. Youth Council Members have contributed to the following projects this year:
- Summer Volleyball Tournament
- Website Development
- Parent Handbook Development
Special thanks to each of the Youth Council Members! The input you have offered to the projects have proven invaluable.
Youth Council Bios and Photographs will be added in the coming months… Keep an eye out for updates on these up and coming American Indian Leaders!
Link to the current and recent past issues of the Collaborator Connection.
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