Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP)

Since October 2010, the department's Office of Family and Community Health has received federal Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP) funds to deliver evidence-based programs emphasizing abstinence and contraception. The program targets at risk youth 15-19 years of age within the juvenile correctional system and in foster care and the goal is to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STI).

 

Programming is designed to give youth the skills and knowledge they need to reduce risky behaviors and identify the qualities of healthy relationships between individuals and within families. PREP in South Dakota is a collaborative effort of the departments of Health, Corrections, Social Services, Education and Human Services.

 

South Dakota's PREP Program uses Reducing the Risk, an approved, evidence-based curriculum. Reducing the Risk is one of the first rigorously-evaluated sex education curricula shown to have a measureable impact upon behavior. As a result of participating in Reducing the Risk classes, students will be able to:

  • Evaluate the risk and lasting consequences of becoming an adolescent parent or becoming infected with HIV or another STI.
  • Recognize that abstaining from sexual activity or using contraception are the only ways to avoid pregnancy, HIV, and other STIs.
  • Conclude that factual information about conception and protection is essential for avoiding teen pregnancy, HIV and other STIs.
  • Demonstrate effective communication skills for remaining abstinent and for avoiding unprotected sexual intercourse.

The program is also required to address adulthood preparation subjects that include:

  • Healthy relationships

  • Adolescent development

  • Financial literacy

  • Parent-child communication

  • Educational and career success

  • Health life skills

 

Links

 

Contacts

Bev Duffel, Program Director

Amanda Stednitz, Nurse Consultant

605-773-3737
DOH.INFO@state.sd.us