Personal Responsibility Education Program Grant (PREP)

The Alexandria Campaign on Adolescent Pregnancy was awarded a Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP) grant in September 2012 and again in January 2016 and October 2021 by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families to implement teen pregnancy prevention evidence-based programming. The primary objectives of the PREP Grant are to delay sexual activity, increase condom and contraceptive use for sexually active youth and/or reduce pregnancy among youth. This is done through a focus on abstinence and using contraception and condoms for the prevention of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, along with an emphasis on preparing youth for adulthood.  Currently, ACAP PREP Grant partners implement one of four evidence-based curricula: Be Proud! Be Responsible!, Becoming A Responsible Teen, El Camino, or Draw the Line, Respect the Line.  In 2019, the ACAP PREP Grant programs reached over 3,000 youth.

Through the PREP Grant, ACAP partners with Capital Youth Empowerment Program (CYEP), whose organization is dedicated to providing the Northern Virginia area with Fatherhood and Teen Pregnancy Prevention programs. CYEP implements Becoming A Responsible Teen (BART) with primarily African American, male athletes who attend Alexandria City High School.  CYEP implements Be Proud! Be Responsible!, Becoming a Responsible Teen, and El Camino at: Alexandria City High School, ACHS Satellite Campus, Juvenile Detention Center, Sheltercare (a residential facility that provides a safe a structured environment, counseling/skill building, education and crisis intervention services for primarily court involved adolescents in the City of Alexandria and surrounding counties), Community Lodgings, the Dunbar Alexandria-Olympic Boys and Girls Club, and the City of Alexandria’s Recreation Centers.

ACAP also partners with Alexandria City Public Schools to administer Draw the Line/Respect the Line to all 6-8 graders during Physical Education/Health classes at the middle schools.  

Adulthood Preparation Subjects are provided to ACAP PREP Grant youth participants.  ACAP partners with Virginia Cooperative Extension for an interactive lesson on financial literacy.  The City of Alexandria’s Department of Community and Human Services’ Sexual Assault Center provides sessions on healthy relationships using the Safe Dates curriculum and ACAP’s Peer Educators also facilitate a workshop on sexual health, the importance of self-care, and healthy communication to many PREP sites.

ACAP’s goal is to supplement the evidence-based curriculum with strategies that help adolescents develop brain-strengthening habits, resulting in the ability to reduce risky behaviors and impulsive decision-making, such as early and unprotected sexual activity.

For more information or to find a program, contact Felicia Parks at Felicia.Parks@alexandriava.gov