Sexual Risk Avoidance Education (SRAE) Program and Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP)

A diverse group of teenagers walking together and smiling at the camera.

To prevent adolescent pregnancy, the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, and other risky behaviors among adolescents, the Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) takes a holistic approach to support state, Tribal, and community efforts to help youth reduce and avoid risks associated with teen sex and other risk behaviors.

Iowa Department of Health and Human Services currently implements two adolescent pregnancy prevention programs, Title V State Sexual Risk Avoidance Education (SRAE) Program and State Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP), for Iowa Youth.

Iowa State University’s Child Welfare Research & Training Project collaborates with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, serving as the program evaluator.

Title V State Sexual Risk Avoidance Education (SRAE) Program

The purpose of the Title V State Sexual Risk Avoidance Education (SRAE) Program is to implement education exclusively on sexual risk avoidance that teaches youth to voluntarily refrain from sexual activity. The program is designed to teach youth personal responsibility, self-regulation, goal setting, healthy decision-making, a focus on the future, and the prevention of youth risk behaviors such as drug and alcohol use without normalizing teen sexual activity.

The State of Iowa serves 250 youth ages 10—19 in Boone, Greene, Marshall, Muscatine, Polk, and Story counties. The program uses Teen Outreach Program (TOP) in community-based organizations and school districts. The curriculum includes weekly peer group meetings, facilitator-led instruction, and community service.

State Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP)

The purpose of the State Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP) is to educate young people on both abstinence and contraception. With efforts toward preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, PREP targets young people who are:

  • Homeless
  • In foster care
  • Living in rural areas or areas with high teen birth rates
  • From minority groups (including sexual minorities)

PREP also supports pregnant youth and mothers under the age of 21.

The Iowa PREP serves youth ages 10 to 19 in community school districts and counties statewide, with a target participation of 900 annually. The program implements the Teen Outreach Program curriculum for girls and boys and the WISE Guys curriculum for boys in foster care using school and community-based settings, providing adulthood preparation subjects that include adolescent development, healthy life skills, and healthy relationships.

Have questions?

Use the button to email Dr. Daeyong Lee about SRAE or PREP.