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L.E.A.P.P. (Life Endeavors Accomplished through Pregnancy Prevention) is a pregnancy and STD prevention program, of the Minority Health Coalition of Marion County, Inc. (MHCMC), developed especially for young men and women between 11 and 19 years of age. The Goal of the L.E.A.P.P. program is to help young people realize their dreams and strive to achieve them, without having to deal with the obstacle of facing an unplanned pregnancy. The LEAPP program was originally developed in 2002 for the MHCMC's Healthy Start outreach program, but ended when the focus for that program was changed to target the adult population. The L.E.A.P.P. program recently got a second chance to touch the lives of young people when the MHCMC received a R.E.S.P.E.C.T. grant from the Indiana State Department of Health.
The L.E.A.P.P. program uses the S.T.A.T.S: Sex, Teens, AIDS - Take 'Em Serious video, along with the Curriculum and Activity Guide. This guide was originally developed for Project Alpha, a male responsibility program conducted by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. with support from the March of Dimes. It has been updated and revised in order to address sexuality issues for both men and women. The L.E.A.P.P. program is designed to strongly encourage abstinance, but also discusses safe sex practices to prevent STD transmission and unplanned pregnancies, for those participants who are not willing to abstain from sexual activity.
The MHCMC will target non-Hispanic black youth, between the ages of 11 and 19, living in Marion County by collaborating with local youth programs to conduct L.E.A.P.P. Teen Retreats. In addition parents/guardians will receive information on teen sexual practice and ways of talking to their children about sex.
The retreat topics are as follows:
· Personal Goals and Aspirations: Planning for Tomorrow Today
· The Three R's: Responsibility, Respect, Relationships
· Adolescent Pregnancy and Parenthood
· Protecting Yourself and Your Partner
· Sexually Transmitted Diseases
· Intimate Violence in Relationships
Parents are encouraged to allow their teens to participate in a L.E.A.P.P. Retreat because it is an opportunity for them to learn how to make sensible and informed choices that could affect their entire life, prepare for their future and avoid unplanned pregnancies, so that they are able to achieve your goals and prepare themselves for when they decide they are ready to have a baby.
For more information contact:
Sherry Matemachani
L.E.A.P.P. Program Coordinator
317-490-6088
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