Say What You Mean (SWYM)

Say What You Mean is a federally funded project of Teen-Aid. The Agency of Children & Family funds projects that teach the many benefits of abstinence for teens.

Objectives

The goal is to connect parents and teens (12-18) in order to reduce out of wedlock sexual activity. The objectives are to: 1) increase the number of youth who have never had sexual intercourse and remain abstinent following the abstinence education program by 10% 2) increase the number of youth who have had sexual intercourse but have discontinued having sex following the abstinence education program by 5%, 3) increase the amount of time that teens report talking with their parents by 10%, 4) have at least 50% or more of students affirm the positive effect and intention to abstain from sexual activity, 5) compare the effectiveness of the components of an interactive presentation with the additions of monthly follow-ups plus parent workshop involvement.

Curricula offered-linked to curricula explanations

Local trained PRC presenters will reach teens in classrooms and communities with 3 curricula in 3 grade levels. The intent of each curriculum is to address developmentally different issues relative to the postponement of sexual involvement until marriage. All students will have parental permission to participate in the program and to respond to the pre and post tests. Each program will be presented by trained speakers.  Approximately, 500 7/8^th graders will participate in presentations from the SWYM skill-based program addressing all 13 themes in five-1 hour presentations. Approximately 500 9th graders will receive 4 hours of i-Pulse Relationship and Media education elaborating on each of the 13 themes. Then approximately 200 12^th graders will receive a minimum of 4 hours and a maximum of 8 hours of training in the development of skills pertaining to relationships and self-sufficiency in the Economics of Family Formation (EFF) in program. Two of the three programs target 9^th- 12^th graders and their parents.

Parent Workshop The PRC will be responsible to sponsor/coordinate the 10 hour, Building Family Connections, parent workshop in each community. The Medical Institute curriculum was written under an ACF grant and piloted under a CDC grant. It addresses all 13 themes and enables parents and teens to practice communication skills regarding each of the concepts.  Workshop participants will also receive the podcasts monthly to stimulate further reinforcing conversations with their teens. The PRC will receive media support via radio and billboards plus they will call local parents to recruit workshop attendants.