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Empowering Youth Through REACH

Resources & Education for Adolescents Choosing Healthy Behaviors

Through REACH, the Family & Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) awards the State Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP) and Sexual Risk Avoidance Education (SRAE) grants to state agencies to educate young people on both abstinence and contraception; and how each can prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS. This program targets youth ages 10-19 who are considered to be “at-risk.”

REACH projects replicate effective, evidence-based program models that have been proven to delay sexual activity amongst youth, reduce pregnancy, and reduce incidents of sexually transmitted infections.

We Can Help At-Risk Youth

For some youth, this may be their first opportunity to discuss alternatives to risky behavior. Many have never considered abstinence. REACH includes skills to help youth learn to stand up for themselves and say “NO” to risky behavior and pressure from peers, and potential sex and drug partners.

We can help at-risk youth. By combining an evidence-based educational program with an invested and trained adult, we empower youth to choose healthy behavior in all aspects of their lives.

Important Stats

  • South Dakota teens have a pregnancy rate higher than the national average; in 2020, South Dakota teens had the 13th highest pregnancy rate in the U.S. (2022 CDC/National Center for Health Statistics)
  • South Dakota youth aged 15 to 24 account for more than 57% of all reported cases of Chlamydia. (Dec 2021 Health and Disease Summary, SD Department of Health)

For more information on curricula and training opportunities, please complete an online inquiry form or contact us at ILS-Reach@LssSD.org.

REACH programming was made possible by Funding Opportunity Number HHS-2016-ACF-ACYF-SR-1197 from the Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families. Its contents are solely the responsibility of Lutheran Social Services and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families.