Last week, Planned Parenthood of Southwest Oregon received a federal grant for its teen pregnancy prevention programs.
The Office of Adolescent Health awarded nearly 19 million dollars, spread over multiple programs in the Northwest. Eugene-based Planned Parenthood Vice President Mary Gossart says their portion—150- to 180 thousand dollars--will fund a five-year program:
Gossart: "We're targeting this specific funding in Grants Pass and in Medford, working with two community partners that work with homeless youth and youth transitioning out of foster care, as well as working with identified high-risk youth in school systems in those communities."
Gossart says the grant follows a similar initiative begun in 2010. She says the curriculum, which included life skills and community service projects, helped reduce teen pregnancy and also built school success. Official results of the initial program will be released in the fall.