ASPIRE has partnered with the CAS-Carrera program from Children's Aid Society in New York, New York. This evidenced based program is an intensive, year-round, multi-year after-school program that is designed to promote positive youth development and positive reproductive health. At-risk 13- and 15-year-olds participate in the program through the end of high school. The program employs a holistic approach—addressing the various contexts (e.g, school, family) and needs (e.g, supportive relationships, social services) relevant to the participants’ lives—and it provides a variety of activities and services, including employment and academic assistance, family life and sexuality education, performing arts experience, sports training, and mental and physical health care. An experimental evaluation showed that participation in CAS-Carrera led to increases in sexual health knowledge, health care and health behaviors, life skills, and academic skills. Participation also lowered levels of pregnancies and births and increased the use of Depo-Provera for females, and made less likely the initiation of marijuana use in males.
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