Positive Choices is a teen pregnancy prevention program developed in 1996 through Pediatric Services at the St. Vincent Mercy Family Care Center to promote health and well being among the children we serve. The overall goal of Positive Choices is to reduce sexual activity, sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy, and births in 9 to 18-year-old children in north west Ohio. The project objectives are as follows.

1. To increase the knowledge of sexual abstinence for junior high and high school students by providing a curriculum adhering to the eight federal requirements for sexual abstinence until marriage education and for 12-18-year-olds participating in the in-school and after school programs by the end of the intervention.
2. To provide abstinence until marriage information and skills specific for special needs teenagers that adheres to the federal requirements for abstinence until marriage education and includes abstinence from drugs, alcohol, and tobacco along with skill development.
3. To increase the number of students who are able to identify characteristics of healthy relationships.
4. To increase the number of 12-18-year-olds who make a commitment to practice sexual abstinence until marriage at the end of the program.
5. To increase parent's communication about sexuality with their children participating in the Positive Choices program by the end of the program.
6. To promote public and professional awareness about Ohio Revised Code: Section 3313.6011 in Lucas County and surrounding communities.

The program provides accurate information and practical skills to junior and senior high school students to encourage sexual abstinence until marriage as well as abstinence from drugs, alcohol and tobacco.

The program has four primary components:

1. In-school education based on nationally-recognized curricula
2. Ongoing after-school education and supportive activities
3. Peer education and mentoring
4. Parent involvement

Curriculum and activities promote respect for self and others, responsibility and setting goals with a means of attainment.

Positive Choices is a community-based program providing services that are not reimbursable through traditional sources of health care funding such as Medicaid, Medicare or private insurance. The program therefore relies entirely on federal, state and local grants to continue. Positive Choices is required by federal and state funders to evaluate the effectiveness of its services.

The program has consistently demonstrated that boys and girls who participate increase:

1. Knowledge of abstinence as the only certain way to avoid pregnancy and STD's
2. Assertiveness and refusal skills
3. Commitment to avoiding risk behaviors including alcohol, tobacco, and drug use
4. Commitment to sexual abstinence until marriage

Nationally and locally, teen pregnancy rates are declining and evidence is emerging that abstinence education programs are a significant factor in this decline.

The response to Positive Choices has been very positive from teens, parents and teachers:

"Positive Choices made me feel like we can achieve success in our lives and I think they should come back next year and talk to more 6th graders and make them feel like they can do anything. And they have made me think more about why and why not I should say no to having sex." (Ceniqua, 6th grade)

"I thought it's something everyone should go to. It made me think about future possibilities and the choices I should make. It made me feel more serious about STD's." (Cory, 8th grade)

"It was fun. They were nice and kind. One thing they really taught me is how to respect myself and others. They taught me how to say no to drugs and to sex. Thank you guys very much." (Domodes, 5th grade)

"Positive Choices has been a worthwhile program for the students. Wish we could have had more time for longer discussions. I think Positive Choices works well with the notion of responsible thinking that we try to empower our students with. I feel it's important for the kids to understand that there are many ways to solve problems beyond methods they have been taught to this point." (6th grade teacher)

"My fear of them [my children] getting pregnant was overwhelming. The adult leaders and the parent groups helped me find the words about good character and healthy relationships and setting boundaries and even facts about STDs that I could discuss with my kids. Like, I never thought about how kissing led to other things, or about self-respect. The best part of the parent groups was hearing how other parents struggled with the same thing." (Ann, 25 year-old mother who gave birth at 12, 13, and 16 years of age)

The St. Vincent mission comes alive in Positive Choices programming by

• providing an opportunity for teenagers to make a difference in their lives
• find hope for the future
• means to attain their goals and dreams

Instead of accepting societal norms and values that assume teenagers are going to make bad choices, Positive Choices staff challenges even the highest-risk youth to uphold high standards and expectations.

The program also works with:

• special needs students
• homeless shelters
• juvenile justice system
• generational teen pregnancy
• alterative caregivers

All representing very vulnerable populations, and treats all with compassion, dignity and respect.

Parents who were pregnant at a young age want better for their children, and we assist them in making their dreams come true. Positive Choices involves the parents in all aspects of the program, as the most important influence and educator in their children's lives. High school students act as role models and mentors for the younger students, which also reinforces the high school students' commitments to make healthy decisions in their lives. Staff and teen leaders were drawn from the communities served, making the services culturally appropriate and relevant for the families, and allowing services to penetrate all areas of the community. Many young men who have no contact with their fathers have the opportunity to develop positive relationships with the male educators, who provide guidance and mentoring for teens and their parents. The youth benefit from culturally specific experiences and education provided by a compassionate, caring and committed staff. They truly develop HOPE for a brighter future.