Health Care Education and Training, Inc.

Project Name: Indiana Connected and Supported Teens (IN-CAST) Project

Project Overview: The Health Care Education and Training, Inc. (HCET) Indiana Connected and Supported Teens (IN-CAST) Project will provide evidence-based teen pregnancy prevention programs to 550 adolescents annually in the geographic boundary of the state of Indiana. IN-CAST will specifically serve youth in foster care (FC) and adjudicated/juvenile justice youth (JJ). Programming will be delivered in four unique settings:

1. Juvenile detention centers;
2. Community-based organizations;
3. Group and residential care programs; and
4. Schools (specifically alternative high schools).

The IN-CAST Project is a systems-level, community- and youth-driven approach that incorporates multiple sectors within the child welfare and juvenile corrections systems to address risk and protective factors for teen pregnancy. IN-CAST will deliver an individual, interpersonal, and organizational positive youth development (PYD) approach to improving reproductive and sexual health, safety, and well-being for adolescents. HCET will provide evidence-based programs, education, and training to parents, guardians, foster parents, child welfare and juvenile justice staff and administrators, judges, and other youth-serving professionals to improve adult and youth communication regarding healthy relationships, sex, and health. The multi-systems-level approach of the IN-CAST project has the potential to change FC/JJ youth’s attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors related to sexual risk and other risky behaviors, as well as affect long-lasting change in the community, organizations, and families.

Community(ies) Served: State of Indiana, counties outside of Marion County (Indianapolis)

Target Population: Youth in foster care and adjudicated/juvenile justice youth ages 14 to 19

Geographic Area Served (Urbanicity of Community): Mix of rural, urban, and suburban

Average Anticipated Number of Youth Served Annually: 550