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CAPP | PREP | SRAE | HIV

New York State Adolescent Health Initiatives

ACT for Youth receives funding from the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) to build capacity in community-based health initiatives that serve adolescents and young adults.

Comprehensive Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention (CAPP)

An initiative of the NYSDOH Bureau of Perinatal, Reproductive, and Sexual Health (BPRASH), CAPP advances health equity and improves adolescent health outcomes in communities where CAPP program providers can have the greatest impact. The specific aims of the CAPP initiative are to:

  • Support youth (age 10-21) in practicing health-promoting behaviors and reducing risk behaviors;
  • Reduce barriers to preventive reproductive health care services;
  • Promote healthy, safe, and nurturing environments and relationships; and
  • Identify risk factors and address special needs (medical, psychosocial, developmental) early through accessible and coordinated supports.

CAPP providers offer evidence-based sexual health education as well as positive youth development programming and referrals for needed services. Some providers also offer parent education. The current CAPP initiative began in July 2023. Funding was awarded to 48 community-based projects through a competitive process (see Request for Applications - CAPP). ACT for Youth provides training, capacity-building, and evaluation services to CAPP projects.

Learn more about The CAPP Model.

Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP)

PREP is a community-based initiative of BPRASH. PREP funds are used to educate youth on both abstinence and contraception through the implementation of evidence-based programs that also include adult preparation topics. PREP programs serve youth age 10-19.

The current PREP initiative began October 1, 2023 and is anticipated to continue until September 30, 2028. The PREP initiative is funded by federal Title V funds awarded to NYSDOH by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Families and Children. In turn, NYSDOH has awarded funds to support seven community-based programs that were selected through a competitive process (see Request for Applications - PREP). ACT for Youth provides training, capacity building, and evaluation services to PREP projects in New York State.

Learn more about the PREP initiative in New York State.

Sexual Risk Avoidance Education (SRAE)

New York State's Sexual Risk Avoidance Education (SRAE) initiative offers prevention programs aimed at delaying the onset of sexual activity, preventing abuse, and supporting a healthy transition from early to middle adolescence for children in priority communities. With support from federal Title V State SRAE funds, the current initiative was launched in 2024 by NYSDOH and is under the auspices of BPRASH. This initiative utilizes an integrated model of evidence-based education and adult-supervised activities and opportunities for youth age 10-13, together with parenting education classes for parents, guardians, and caregivers.

Eleven community-based projects were selected to implement the state SRAE model through a competitive process (see Request for Applications - SRAE). ACT for Youth provides training, capacity-building, and evaluation services to SRAE projects in New York State.

Learn more about the SRAE model in New York State.

HIV/STI/HCV Prevention and Related Services Initiative

The AIDS Institute of NYSDOH funds community-based service providers to develop or enhance comprehensive HIV, sexually transmitted infection (STI), and hepatitis C (HCV) interventions for priority populations. The two components in this initiative are designed for the following populations:

  • Component A: Young gay men/young men who have sex with men (YMSM) ages 13-29, with a focus on communities of color
  • Component B: Young people age 13-24, with a focus on communities of color

The initiative is designed to address issues related to health equity and the key social determinants of health (SDOH) impacting the HIV/STI/HCV and sexual health needs of the priority populations. Programs funded through these initiatives aim to reduce barriers to services and strengthen the quality-of-care experiences and health outcomes utilizing sexual health, health equity, and SDOH frameworks. In addition, Component B service providers involve Youth Health Advocates (YHA) who are representative of priority population(s) in significant roles within the intervention. The current initiative began in March 2023 following a competitive process (see Request for Applications - HIV/STI/HCV). Twenty organizations are funded to provide Component A services for YMSM and seven organizations serve youth through Component B's YHA model. ACT for Youth provides training and capacity building support for this initiative.

Learn more about the HIV/STI/HCV Prevention and Related Services initiative.