The Adolescent Health and Youth Development (AHYD) program focuses on improving the health of young people, ages 10-19, and provides educational and skill building workshops and programs that help them navigate safely through these years and into adulthood. By partnering with schools, youth service agencies and the faith community, AHYD builds support systems for youth that engage them in fun programs during the peak hours for high risk behaviors. These age-appropriate workshops and activities help young people think clearly about consequences and personal goals. There are also interactive workshops and presentations for parents and other interested adults.
Adolescent Health & Youth Development (AHYD) uses a variety of age appropriate materials designed to give teens the skills to say “no” to sexual activity and to prevent teen pregnancy. Our program takes a non-traditional approach to educating teens and adults by providing training and workshops in the afternoons and on weekends. Two evidence based curriculums are used to teach teens about the consequences of sex with one being abstinence-based (Making A Difference) and the other being a comprehensive approach aimed to encouraging safe sex with the use of contraception (Making Proud Choices). Each of the evidence based curriculum consist of 8 modules which are usually conducted over a span of 8 one hour sessions. Additional prevention trainings and presentations include: Alcohol and Drug Education, Developmental Assets, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, and Statutory Rape.
Topics covered in Making A Difference include:
- Self-esteem
- Communication
- Sexuality
- Dating violence
- Abstinence
- Sexually Transmitted Diseases
- Goal-setting
- Decision-Making
Topics covered in Making Proud Choices curriculum include:
- Goal-Setting
- Decision-Making
- Teen Pregnancy
- Sexually Transmitted Diseases
- HIV
- Condom Education
- Negotiation and Refusal Skills
AHYD programs are free of charge. The Adolescent Health & Youth Development program currently provides these services in Crisp, Dooly, and Sumter Counties with special grant funding through the Georgia Department of Human Resources Program of Excellence. Workshops are conducted by a trained adult facilitator and can be implemented in a variety of settings.
AHYD program participants develop skills from a variety of experiences, including:
Discussions, Audiovisuals, Role playing, Structured and semi-structured activities, Brainstorming, and Lectures
Additional Initiatives Include:
Youth Advisory Council
The Youth Advisory Board (YAC) is the AHYD teen leadership group, which provides an adolescent perspective on programs and activities offered in the community. The YAC also plans and hosts outreach events and community service projects throughout the year. Members attend Georgia Teen Institute summer trainings and other leadership conferences throughout Georgia.
Step UP, Step IN
AHYD is a partner in the Step UP, Step IN Sexual Bullying Awareness Campaign that addresses this in Georgia schools. Schools participating include Americus-Sumter High South, Dooly County Middle School, and Dooly County High School. The program is also a joint partner with the Georgia Network to End Sexual Assault (GNESA) and the Rape Prevention and Education Program.
For more information, contact: Katrisha Williams, Youth Development Coordinator at
229-271-1054, ext. 4 or email Katrisha.Williams@dph.ga.gov.