Tina G. Vazin, PhD, Foundations and Psychology, Alabama State University, 915 South Jackson Street, Montgomery, AL 36101, 334-229-6972, tvazin@asunet.alasu.edu and Huey-Ling Lin, Curriculum and Instruction, Alabama State University, 217 Councill Hall, 915 S. Jackson St., Montgomery, AL 36104.

The Triangular Approach to Abstinence Education for adolescents between the ages of 12 and 18 years of age has been in operation for two years in Montgomery, AL. The Triangular Approach emphasizes teen education/awareness, parent education/awareness and parent/teen communication. The teen education component is presented in the health classes of the junior and senior high schools for 2 weeks each academic year focusing on the consequences of early sexual behavior, developing refusal skills, and reducing high-risk behaviors. The classes are team-taught by a professional and a junior or senior-level college student. The professional-college student teaching team has proven to be one of the most effective components of this program. The professional presents factual information and the college student engages students in discussions and exercises. The parent education/awareness component utilizes a home-based approach. Parents are paid to host a 2-hour abstinence education workshop in their home and agree to invite six other parents. An Abstinence facilitator presents the workshop emphasizing the economic, academic and social consequences of early sexual behavior, recognizing high-risk behaviors and implementing effective parenting practices for teens. The third component, parent/teen communication, brings teens and parents together in large public settings to discuss issues taught in the abstinence education program in the schools and in the parent education/awareness workshops. The advantage of the Triangular Approach is that it encircles teens with the message of the importance of abstinence by involving their school, peers and parents as well as introducing them to positive role models through the team-teaching approach.

Learning Objectives:

• Attendees will be able to describe the key components of the Triagular Model of Abstinence Education.
• Attendees will be able to explain the importance of parent and community involvement in promoting adolescent abstinence.
• Attendees will be able to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of home-based (tupperware model) parent workshops and community-based parent workshops.

Keywords: Adolescent Health, STD Prevention

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.