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November 2004 Monthly Monitor
Advocates for Youth's Youth of Color Initiative
Feature: Cultural Competence in Prevention Programs
Racial/ethnic disparities in rates of HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and unintended pregnancy underscore the need for culturally competent prevention programs for youth of color. Youth who face prejudice and discrimination by virtue of their identity, life experience, or family circumstances disproportionately experience HIV/STI and teen pregnancy. Such young people may include youth of color, those from low-income families, immigrants, and gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth (GLBTQ). Choosing to make an organizational commitment to providing culturally appropriate prevention programming is an ongoing process that may significantly improve the success of interventions for youth of color. Below is a four-step model of building cultural competence for working effectively and respectfully with youth from a variety of backgrounds. The four steps are:
- learning about culture and important cultural components;
- learning about your own culture through a process of self-assessment that includes examining your culture's assumptions and values and your perspectives on them;
- learning about the individual young people in your program; and
- learning as much as possible about important aspects of their cultural backgrounds with a focus on sexuality-related issues.
To learn more about this four step model, download a copy of A Youth Leader's Guide to Building Cultural Competence at http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/publications/guide.pdf
For some of the latest research on cultural competence and teen pregnancy prevention for Latino/Hispanic youth, visit http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/journals/3614204.html. This study identified gaps in access to information and services, and offers recommendations for addressing the diverse needs of Latino/Hispanic adolescents and young adults.
Capacity Building & Professional Development
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH), through the CDC/ASPH Institute for HIV Prevention Leadership, offer Steps to Success in Community-Based HIV/AIDS Prevention, a self-study program with Web cast, including Module 1, How to Determine Who is at Risk and Why; and Module 2, How to Plan and Put Into Action Strategies for Behavior Change.
Registration is currently underway; there is no fee to register and participate in this capacity-building program. Courses end December 15, 2004. For more information, to download the fact sheet on each module, or to register visit http://www.ihpl.org
Funding Opportunities
The Health Resources and Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Public Health Service is offering grants for Coordinated HIV Services and Access to Research for Women, Infants, Children, and Youth. The purpose of the Ryan White Title IV funding is to improve access to primary medical care, research, and support services for HIV infected women, infants, children and youth, and to provide support services for their affected family members. The application deadline is February 14, 2005. For further information or assistance, contact the HRSA Call Center at 877-Go4-HRSA/877-464-4772 or visit: http://www.fedgrants.gov/Applicants/HHS/HRSA/GAC/HRSA-05-045/Grant.html (no longer available).
The Health Resources and Services Administration of the Department of Health and Human Services Public Health Service is sponsoring cooperative agreements for National HIV Training and Technical Assistance. The cooperative agreement is intended to assist people working with programs funded under the Ryan White CARE Act as well as other programs with an interest in HIV or AIDS, to understand and put into action the requirements of the CARE Act as well as research-based best practices for high quality, comprehensive primary care and support services for people living with HIV or AIDS. The application deadline is March 1, 2005. For further information or assistance, contact the HRSA Call Center at 877-Go4-HRSA/877-464-4772 or visit: http://www.fedgrants.gov/Applicants/HHS/HRSA/GAC/HRSA-05-031/Grant.html (no longer available).
Announcements
December 1st Is World AIDS Day!
UNAIDS estimates that 35.7 million adults and 2.1 million children were living with HIV or AIDS at the end of 2003, and that during 2004 4.8 million new people became infected with HIV. http://www.worldaidsday.org/getinvolved.asp is a day of action; this year’s theme focuses on women. For suggestions on how you can get involved for World AIDS Day, please visit http://www.worldaidsday.org/getinvolved.asp
Black Entertainment Television (BET), in conjunction with its partners the Kaiser Family Foundation and Cable in the Classroom, offers the educator’s kit, Classroom Connection 2: Sexuality, Social Pressures and STDs. This free kit is part of RAP-IT-UP, BET’s ongoing national HIV and AIDS awareness campaign. The kit is designed for use in secondary health education classes, youth support groups, and community health organizations. The kit includes a 30-minute, commercial-free video entitled Naked Truth: The Lessons Continue and an educator guide with engaging lesson plans and activities. The lessons and activities are designed to help young people discuss and cope with the complex issues of self-identity, self-esteem, and healthy sexual behavior, especially as they relate to HIV and other STIs. To obtain an order form, please visit http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/rapitup.pdf
The Seventh European Study Tour Is June 3–20, 2005
Teen birth, teen abortion, and STI rates in the United States are higher than in most other industrialized countries. Thus, Advocates for Youth and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte will sponsor the seventh European study tour, June 3–20, 2005. The organization will select 30 participants to explore and identify strategies, programs, and policies in the Netherlands, France, and Germany that have positively influenced adolescent sexual behavior and outcomes. For a PDF file of the European study tour application as well as information on who should apply, selection criteria, and the tentative program itinerary, visit http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/news/events/stdytour.htm
To submit an article, announcement, or resource, for the Youth of Color Initiative, please contact Nahnahsha at 202-419-3420 or nahnahsha@advocatesforyouth.org.
Resources
For additional resources on cultural competence, please visit the following Web sites:
You can help Advocates for Youth with a contribution today. To donate, visit http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/about/donatetoday.htm
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