ESTEEM and FACTS: Creative Ways to Teach Healthy Lifestyles to Youth from Diverse Backgrounds

Abstract

Two health education programs illustrating different ways to engage youth from racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds in positive youth development lessons and activities are described for practitioners in schools and community agencies. Both programs were developed in collaborative efforts between public school health teachers and community organizations and resulted in abstinence education curricula suitable for use in either schools or community agencies. Both programs were effective with youth from different racial and ethnic backgrounds in promoting setting wholesome personal goals, developing prosocial and healthy relationships, and avoiding risky behaviors such as premature sexual activity or abuse of alcohol and illegal drugs. Federal programs designed to prevent teen pregnancy facilitated the development and evaluation of both programs. ES-TEEM was developed in Texas at the Longview Wellness Center and FACTS was developed in Oregon by Northwest Family Services.