Announcement of Availability of Funds for Rigorous Evaluation of New or Innovative Approaches to Prevent Teen Pregnancy (Tier 2B)

The purpose of this FOA is to increase the number of evidence-based TPP interventions available by rigorously evaluating new or innovative approaches for preventing teen pregnancy and related risk behaviors. The applicant must demonstrate that the proposed intervention is needed, likely to reduce rates of teen pregnancy and/or adolescent sexual risk behavior, relevant to the target population, and able to be rigorously evaluated. This is not a service delivery grant. Service may be a byproduct of the funding, but is not the purpose for this FOA. OAH is especially interested in expanding the evidence base for the field of TPP by funding rigorous evaluations of new or innovative interventions designed to address gaps in the existing evidence and reduce adolescent sexual and reproductive health disparities. This includes, but is not limited to interventions designed for older adolescents (18-19), males, rural youth, and other youth populations at disproportionate risk of teen pregnancy (see data on page 9). OAH is also interested in the use of non-traditional delivery methods (i.e., non-curriculum based approaches). Overall, grantees will be expected to: Engage the target population in the development or finalization of the intervention Engage in a 6-12 month planning, piloting, and readiness period Implement and rigorously evaluate the proposed intervention Ensure that intervention materials are medically accurate, age appropriate, culturally and linguistically appropriate, and inclusive of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ) youth Collect and use performance measure data to make continuous quality improvements Document and package the intervention to be implementation ready and able to be replicated if found to be effective Disseminate evaluation results and intervention information. Interventions that are not acceptable for this FOA include (1) those already identified as an evidence-based TPP program by the HHS TPP Evidence Review, (2) significant adaptations of evidence-based TPP programs identified by the HHS TPP evidence review, or (3) programs currently undergoing a rigorous evaluation under the OPHS/OAH-TPP PREP Tier2-2010 FOA initially funded in FY 2010 (http://www.hhs.gov/ash/oah/news/assets/funding_announcment_research.pdf). (See a complete list in Appendix D). Supporting HHS Strategic Goals, Healthy People 2020, and the National Prevention Strategy This FOA supports the HHS Strategic Goals to Put Children and Youth on the Path for Successful Futures, Eliminate Health Disparities, and Accelerate the Process of Scientific Discovery to Improve Health. HHS is committed to supporting both evidence-based programs and innovative approaches for children and youth in order to positively impact a range of important social and health outcomes, including, but not limited to, teen pregnancy and STIs STIs. http://www.hhs.gov/strategic-plan/hhs-vision.html This FOA addresses the Healthy People 2020 (http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/default.aspx) overarching goals to (1) achieve health equity, eliminate disparities, and improve the health of all groups and (2) promote quality of life, healthy development, and healthy behaviors across all life stages. The FOA addresses several Healthy People 2020 goals and objectives, including Family Planning Objectives 7 through 13; STD Objectives 1 and 6; HIV Objective 2; Adolescent Health Objectives 3 and 5; and the LGBT Topic Area Goal. This FOA also supports the National Prevention Strategy s (http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/initiatives/prevention/strategy/#The Goal) overarching strategic direction to help people make healthy choices and eliminate health disparities. This FOA supports the recommendations in the reproductive and sexual health priority area to (1) provide effective sexual health education, especially for adolescents, and (2) enhance early detection of HIV, viral hepatitis, and other STIs and improve linkages to care.