Adolescent Pregnancy & STI Prevention
CPRD has partnered with schools, community organizations, and public health agencies to advance adolescent pregnancy and STI prevention through research-driven strategies, program evaluation, and evidence-based interventions. By leveraging data collection, analysis, and outcome monitoring, CPRD supports communities in implementing effective prevention programs that empower youth, promote healthy decision-making, and reduce disparities among high-risk populations.
Personal Responsibility Education Program
The State Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP) is funded by the Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB), which is part of the Administration for Children & Families within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) applies for this grant annually to establish and implement their own PREP programs across the state.
The purpose of Illinois State PREP is to educate youth on both abstinence and contraception to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV/AIDS. State PREP projects replicate effective, evidence-based program models or integrate key elements of such programs that have been proven to delay sexual activity, increase condom and contraceptive use among sexually active youth, and/or reduce rates of pregnancy and STIs. These services target youth, ages 10–19, who are at high-risk for pregnancies. This group includes youth in or aging out of foster care, homeless youth, youth with HIV/AIDS, victims of human trafficking, pregnant and/or parenting youth who are under age 21, and youth who live in areas with high teen birth rates.
CPRD serves as the evaluation contractor to assist the federal government, IDHS, and local service providers learn more about program design, implementation, and outcomes.
PREP Surveys
The national evaluation contractor for PREP, Mathematica, has developed Entry and Exit surveys to be completed with all youth participating in the PREP program. These surveys are approved annually by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) nationally and the Institutional Review Board at the University of Illinois locally.
Sexual Risk Avoidance Education
The Title V State Sexual Risk Avoidance Education (SRAE) Program is funded by the Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB), which is part of the Administration for Children & Families within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) applies for this grant annually to establish and implement their own SRAE programs across the state.
The purpose of Illinois State SRAE is to educate youth exclusively on sexual risk avoidance that teaches youth to voluntarily refrain from sexual activity. The program is designed to teach youth personal responsibility, self-regulation, goal setting, healthy decision-making, a focus on the future, and the prevention of youth risk behaviors such as drug and alcohol use without normalizing teen sexual activity
SRAE services are delivered to youth ages 10–19 (grades 6–12) in communities with demonstrated need, with a focus on youth who live in geographic locations with high teen pregnancy and birth rates, live in economically disadvantaged communities, are in foster care or are involved with the juvenile court. CPRD serves as the evaluation contractor, supporting the federal government, IDHS, and local service providers in understanding program implementation, effectiveness, and impact on youth outcomes.
SRAE Surveys
The national evaluation contractor, Mathematica, has developed Entry and Exit surveys to be completed with all youth participating in the SRAE program. These surveys have are approved annually by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) nationally and the Institutional Review Board at the University of Illinois locally.