Cardea Connections Project

Project Overview

Connecting disconnected youth to programs that support healthy sexual outcomes.

The Cardea Connections Project aimed to reduce the disproportionate pregnancy and birth rate among “disconnected” youth in Texas by connecting youth to knowledge, awareness and services, and connecting service providers to one another. The project sought to improve youth’s knowledge and awareness of healthy sexuality through use of evidence-based teen pregnancy prevention programs at juvenile detention centers, foster care agencies and drug treatment facilities where they are already receiving services.

The Cardea Connections Project was a collaboration among several types of non-profit agencies, each contributing a unique and essential element of the project. Cardea Services, as the coordinating center, facilitated assessments and conducted training, managed evaluation activities, and provided ongoing technical assistance and support to the other partners. Cardea subcontracted with six youth serving agencies with high-need populations to host the evidence-based programs (EBPs) and assure voluntary participation by the youth in their care. Three local education agencies, also under subcontract, provided expert facilitation of the EBPs after completion of training conducted by Cardea. Cardea subcontracted with Monica Faulkner, PhD, LMSW at the University of Texas to lead the evaluation activities.

This project was completed in 2015. Please contact the Principal Investigator with any questions.