Urban Community Action Network - Healthy Choices
Urban Community Action Network is a non-profit initiative. We receive funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to provide abstinence education through our Healthy Choices Program. Pursuant to Indiana Code (IC 20-10-1-4-11), all schools are to teach that abstinence until marriage is the expected standard for school aged children.
We teach that abstinence is the only guarantee to avoid pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and associated health problems. In addition, sexual activity outside of marriage causes negative psychological and emotional effects.
CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION
Our Healthy Choices Program provides classroom instruction for 6th, 7th, 8th, and 10th grade students. We send well-trained and highly-experienced abstinence educators into public, charter, and Catholic schools.
These instructors provide educational reinforcement about abstinence until marriage. Simultaneously, we promote self-respect, character development, and abstaining from other high risk and destructive behaviors.
In effort to satisfy Indiana State academic standards, our curriculum is nationally recognized and highly effective in urban areas.
INNOVATIVE STRATEGIES
National Speakers
We also promote inspirational instruction to students and parents by hosting national speakers such as Professional NFL player Shawn Harper, Motivational Speaker Roderick Glover, Miss America Erica Harold, and Actress Cee Cee Michaela to serve as role models and promote the message of abstinence and healthy choices.
Team Revolution
There is nothing more innovative, positive, and successful than our high school students teaching the message of healthy choices to their peers. Our UCAN peer to peer component Team Revolution is a group of local students that are committed to abstinence, who promote the message to their peers using hip-hop, R&B, dance, drama, motivational speaking, and spoken word poetry.
Teen Mom’s Program
We must face the reality that some of youth become parents without plans or expectations. Our Teen Mom's Program provides the message of healthy choices, motivation, encouragement, and education.
PARENT POWER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In order to insure success, parental involvement is critical. Parents must be well informed, educated, and empowered to help their children make healthy choices. Parents are the most important and influential people to their children. This is why we’re educating parents on the following:
- Why it is important to speak with your teen about abstinence, sex, and relationships;
- Tips for talking with your teen;
- What if your teen has had sex;
- Abstinence vs. Condoms;
- Dangers of Sexually Transmitted Diseases
- How to abstain from sex
- The facts about Sexually Transmitted Diseases
- How to listen to your teen
In working with parents, and different parental organizations we strive to build relationships with the parents of the children we are providing healthy choices education to. We encourage parents who may be single, married or cohabitating to take advantage of our Healthy Marriage Initiative services with a focus to sustain and increase marriages in communities of color.
