The Health Department receives funding through the Sexual Risk Avoidance Education (SRAE), Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP), and Maternal and Child Health (MCH) grants to provide medically accurate, age-appropriate education to the youth of Jessamine County.

Positive Potential

The Sexual Risk Avoidance Education grant (SRAE) funds the Positive Potential program that is offered to 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students. This evidence-based curriculum encompasses a wide variety of age appropriate subjects such as bullying, self-confidence, and risky behavior, all pertinent to the needs of students as they grow and mature. The Positive Potential program is offered in school during school hours. To preview the curriculum, contact Melinda Barkley, Health Education Coordinator, at [email protected].

Teen Outreach Program

The Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP) grant provides the funding for our Teen Outreach Program (TOP). TOP is a nationally recognized, evidence-based program that is offered to middle school students in the form of an after-school club called TOP Club which meets once a week. TOP  focuses on empowering youth with tools and opportunities that help build their social-emotional skills, strengthen relationships, and avoid risk behavior. This program also uses community service learning to encourage students to take an active role in their community through community service projects.

Teen Connection Project

The Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP) grant provides the funding for our Teen Connection Project (TCP), a 12-14 week program for high school students. TCP is a nationally-recognized, evidence based, highly interactive program that builds strong connections with others through 12 curriculum lessons led by a trained, caring facilitator. Lessons focus on communication, trust, vulnerability, giving and getting support, and exploring personal strengths. Teens learn to interact, share, and create and maintain supportive social connections, fostering greater feelings of overall well-being.

Youth Thrive

Youth Thrive is a research-based framework to teach professionals how to improve healthy development and well-being in young people, ages nine to twenty-six. The components of Youth Thrive utilizes a strength-based approach to explore the impact of Positive and Adverse Childhood Experiences (PACEs), trauma, Guiding Premises and Protective Factors by making small but significant changes in everyday actions to strengthen young people. As part of the Youth Thrive program, youth have an opportunity to participate in Youth Cafés.

Youth Cafés

Youth Cafés encourage young people to grow and build relationships with others through discussions around Protective Factors. This is an opportunity for young people to learn from each other in a fun and supportive atmosphere utilizing conversation card decks that center around Protective Factors to increase leadership, confidence and resilience.  ​