TEEN PREGNANCY PREVENTION

In 2008, GBAPP was instrumental in addressing the recent spike in teen pregnancy rates in Bridgeport through a pilot education project with the 9th grade students and a community forum at Warren Harding High School. GBAPP staff, Candida Paul, Life Choices Project Coordinator, has organized a panel of community speakers to reach over 200 students with a comprehensive reproductive health education. The pilot program evaluation to be completed in 2009. Dr. Rudy Feudo, GBAPP Executive Director, was the keynote speaker for Harding High School’s Community Forum on Teen Pregnancy. Principal, Carol D. Birks, organized an ongoing dialogue with the community providers committee and the special teen pregnancy prevention forum for the school community. This was in response to the statistics where the Bridgeport Board of Education reported 143 pregnant students in 2007. In the 2007-2008 school year, Harding had 64 pregnant students, twice the number of both Bassick (31) and Central (32). Forum attendees included students, parents, teachers, and community providers.

HIV/AIDS AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION

In 2008, GBAPP initiated a stronger partnership with schools, colleges and faith organizations. In Central High School GBAPP’s Bridgeport Partners for Teens Project (in partnership with Connecticut Renaissance), will be able to serve over 200 students at risk for HIV and substance abuse. Connecting with the student Leadership program, facilitated by school social workers David Gordon and Steven Karjanis, GBAPP has offered free HIV/AIDS prevention and substance abuse treatment to students in need of services. At the University of Bridgeport, HIV Counseling and Testing services and group education services are now offered for free to the college students with the co-location of GBAPP services. GBAPP has also spearheaded major breakthroughs with engaging the faith community to address the issues of HIV/AIDS and substance abuse among communities of color. Principle national partners assisting in this faith-based effort include the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS, Metropolitan Interdenominational Church Technical Assistance Network; and The Balm in Gilead, Inc.

We would like to extend our appreciation to the many agencies in Bridgeport that work closely with us to provide services to the community. We are also very grateful for the opportunity to play a leading role in many of the city’s health-related collaborations and to offer our expertise in the area of teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease prevention, HIV testing and case management.