Teen pregnancy prevention, health and family communication emphasized

Wisconsin will receive $4.7 million over five years to prevent unintended teen pregnancy along with reduce the youth cases of STD and HIV/AIDS according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS). Grant funded programs will also help young people improve communication with parents, maintain healthy relationships and understand basic financial topics.

“These cost-effective programs help young people see that they have positive options and give them tools to stay healthy, prevent early parenthood and work with their parents to achieve their goals,” said Karen Timberlake, DHS Secretary. “For each child making a healthier choice for themselves, we also realize cost savings in Wisconsin ’s Medicaid program and other programs as well.”

The grant funding comes from the Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP) which is a component of the Affordable Care Act (ACA)

The grant will support programs targeted at youth ages 10 to 19, especially at-risk youth who are homeless, in foster care, live in areas with high teen birth rate or are living with HIV/AIDS. Programs will also be required to reach out to African American, Hispanic and Native American youth.

“Reducing teen pregnancy and STD rates are high priority goals in our Healthiest Wisconsin 2020 plan. By helping more at-risk kids understand the consequences of unintended pregnancies and infection, these additional federal resources will move us closer to our goal of improved health for our state’s young people,” said Timberlake.

The Department of Health Services (DHS) will partner with the departments of Children and Families (DCF) and Public Instruction (DPI) to plan and manage the grant. Funding will be awarded through a request for application process to local, community based organizations, public health and human services agencies, local school districts and others.

Wisconsin has received several grants through the ACA, which will improve health care in the state.