College receives millions of dollars to combat risky teen behavior

By Staff Writer

A Kentucky-based university's school of social work has received its largest grant ever, which will be used to combat risky behavior among problem teens.

The Louisville Courier-Journal recently reported that the college has been awarded $4.8 million in federal money from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The five-year grant is expected to help more than 1,200 at-risk adolescents between the ages 14 and 19. The school will specifically target immigrant and refugee communities to tackle issues such as teen pregnancy and abusive relationships.

The college's initiative is called Creating Healthy Adolescents through Meaningful Prevention Services (CHAMPS), and it will educate teens about the dangers of risky sexual behavior, including pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). According to WFPL News, school instructors and students will contribute to the campaign. They will be trained to promote self-confidence, positive communication skills and healthy relationships.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that teen pregnancy is a significant factor among high school dropout rates. The agency states that only about 50 percent of adolescent mothers receive a high school diploma by age 22.

Parents who are concerned about their children's risky sexual behavior may consider a tough love approach, which may involve enrolling them in a troubled teen program.