Target Audience. The focus is on younger teens (11-14) before they adopt risky behaviors; however, the program can be tailored to ages 15-18. It is offered as a resource to existing youth groups such as after-school programs, YMCA and YWCA youth programs, Girl and Boy Scout troops, church youth groups, etc. The ideal class size is 12-15 students.

Primary Goal. After the four-week series, participants will be able to identify healthy vs. risky behaviors and have the necessary tools to make healthy choices in their own lives.

Objectives

• To increase participants’ knowledge of healthy vs. unhealthy behaviors and to teach critical-thinking skills to help them make healthy choices

• To strengthen participants’ goal-setting skills by connecting personal goals to personal behaviors

• To enhance participants’ self esteem through a better understanding of adolescent development and body image

Curriculum. Each one-hour class includes a variety of interactive teaching techniques and class discussion. Each session builds on lessons learned in prior sessions reinforcing self-esteem and goal setting skills.

Class One:  Puberty                                           Class Two:  Emotional Well Being

Physical Development                                                       Mood Changes

Hormones                                                                   Stress Management
Self-esteem                                                                      Depression

                                                                                     Self-esteem

Class Three:  Healthy Relationships                          Class Four: Physical Health

Parents, Teachers, Peers                                                    Nutrition

Dating Relationships                                                           Exercise

Refusal Skills, Setting boundaries                               Hygiene (skin care, sleep)

Pregnancy Prevention                                                    Goal Setting

STD/HIV Prevention

Goal Setting

Health Educator. Delilah McDonald has 12 years experience as a health educator working primarily with adolescents. She has a B.S. degree in School and Community Health Education from East Carolina University. She has worked as a health educator with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, Mecklenburg County Health Department and Forsyth County Health Department.

Evaluation. Measurement includes a pre and post test of both knowledge and quality of life, not only to find out what participants have learned but also how important being healthy is to them. We have created a database of the results which over time will provide insight into how teens of diverse ages and backgrounds view their health.

General Information. There is a charge of $200 for the four-class series. The charge may be waived for groups with very limited resources.

For more information and to schedule a program, contact Delilah McDonald at 704-446-9912 or delilah.mcdonald@carolinashealthcare.org.

Healthy Choices Girls Group 

This program addresses the need for comprehensive health education for adolescent girls, ranging from nutrition, exercise and hygiene to risky behaviors such as sexual activity, alcohol and tobacco. All teens undergo dramatic changes in biological, psychological and social development during puberty. Early adolescence is a crucial time for educational intervention to provide teens with knowledge and tools to help them make healthy living decisions.

The program combines continuing and consistent health messages to 15-20 girls, ages 13-16, who meet weekly in a safe, fun educational environment. Girls are recommended by school counselors and parents because they are not achieving in school and are at risk for adopting risky behaviors. Program goals are:

• To increase their knowledge of their own personal health and their overall sense of wellness;

• To build self-esteem and improve their feelings of empowerment to make healthy living decisions, and

• To develop negotiation, goal setting and social skills.

The program takes a comprehensive, holistic approach to adolescent health, including adolescent development, emotional well being, physical wellness, healthy relationships and general hygiene.

For more information, click here or contact Delilah McDonald, Community Health Educator, at 704-446-9912 or email her.

To register, complete this online application or click here to download and print application

Peer Health Education Program

Adolescents share and receive a lot of inaccurate health information from peers and research has shown repeatedly that peer health education programs provide an alternative method of getting accurate information to teens.

Teen Health Connection is currently recruiting teens to participate in a peer health education program and to serve on a Teen Advisory Board. The 14-week orientation will begin in March. This diverse group of 10-15 teens will teach our Healthy Choices, Healthy Teens curriculum in their schools and serve as health ambassadors for their peers.

For more information and to register, call Delilah McDonald at 704-446-9912 or email her.