The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #71776

Pam Prodromou, MPH¹, Karin Coyle, PhD¹, Mari Taylan-Arcoleo, MPH², Anna Ramirez, MPH³, and Lisa Unti, MPH¹. (1) Research Department, ETR Associates, 4 Carbonero Way, Scotts Valley, CA 95066, 831-438-4060, x253, pamp@etr.org, (2) Office of Family Planning, California Department of Health Services, 714 P Street, Room 440, Sacramento, CA 95814, (3) Office of Family Planning, State of California Department of Health Services, 714 P Street #440, Sacramento, CA 95814

California has been a leader in innovative teen pregnancy prevention programs targeting teens, adults, and men. The Department of Health Services, Office of Family Planning (OFP)funds over 200 teen pregnancy prevention projects which include: Community Challenge Grant Program, Information and Education, Male Involvement Program, and TeenSMART Outreach. These programs aim to educate and provide assistance to youth to prevent unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS. Recently, the OFP has streamlined their efforts by consolidating all teen pregnancy prevention programs into one teen pregnancy prevention program.

The OFP has also integrated program evaluation effort into program planning and implementation. The goal of the evaluation effort is to assist sites in identifying potential areas for enhancing the effectiveness of their programs. Eleven sites were chosen to participate and pilot test tools that target the prevention education strategies. A toolkit has been developed containing tools that look at both the quality and implementation of the prevention education strategies. Tools focus on curriculum objectives and content, health educator training and support, and participant satisfaction. The pilot test began in February 2003 and will end June 2003. Results from each of the pilot sites will help identify steps needed to make improvements to the programs. Key findings from all sites will be analyzed and provide input on how tools and the evaluation process can be improved.

Learning Objectives:

• List and describe the four tools used to help sites identify potential areas for enhancing effectiveness of their prevention education strategy.
• Describe the development and implementation protocols of the pilot test.
• Discuss the key qualitative findings from the pilot test.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: California Statewide Evaluation Contractor