Reno, NV---Planned Parenthood Mar Monte’s Reno Education department recently received a $180,000 federal subcontract to implement Street Smart, a two-year HIV prevention program for at risk youth. Street Smart is recognized by the Center for Disease Control and the Diffusion of Effective Behavioral Interventions (DEBI) as a program that reduces substance use and the number of unprotected sexual acts among homeless youth, thereby reducing the risk of HIV.
The goal of Street Smart is to reduce unprotected sex, number of sex partners, and substance use among high risk youth ages 11-18. The program consists of eight 2-hour group sessions, one individual counseling session, and a group visit to a community health resource. This intensive intervention is limited to ten participants and is co-facilitated. The small group intervention provides opportunities for youth to practice, observe, and model new skills in a safe learning environment.
Facilitators teach effective behavior change, problem solving skills, and strategies to increase safer sexual behaviors. The program is based on a risk reduction model and includes exercises on problem solving, identifying triggers, and reducing harmful behaviors. Youth are rewarded with tokens for successful efforts to practice safer sex and encouraged to give positive feedback to each other. The intervention focuses on the development of coping skills including recognizing one’s discomfort level. The use of a “feeling thermometer” helps youth recognize their discomfort level and when they are better able to make safer decisions. Through the use of role play program participants learn how to assess risky situations and apply problem solving skills. Program implementation began in spring at a residential treatment facility for juvenile sex offenders and an outpatient treatment center for adolescent substance abuse.
Planned Parenthood has also partnered with a number of other organizations in the community who work with homeless and at-risk youth in their outreach efforts.
Planned Parenthood Mar Monte improves the lives of over 350,000 people annually in 40 counties in mid-California and in Northern Nevada. We reach people through our medical services, education programs, and advocacy initiatives.
Our mission is to ensure that every individual has the knowledge, opportunity, and freedom to make every child a wanted child, and every family a healthy family.
