title: An organizational capacity-building program to enhance adolescent sexual and reproductive health.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To present a new practice for promoting sexual health among youth, and a pilot evaluation. The Afterschool Health and Sexuality Education Project is a capacity-building program that provides staff training, technical assistance, resource materials, and policy recommendations to create organizational change that facilitates staff members' abilities to promote sexual and reproductive health for adolescents.
  
  
  METHODS
  The evaluation included assessment of (a) sexual health educational materials, resources, and referral lists; (b) organizational policies that guide provision of sexual information and referrals; and (c) communication about sexual health. Data were collected prior to intervention, 7 months later, and 1 year later using anonymous surveys of staff and adolescents, and researcher observations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results indicate that organizational support for addressing youth sexual health increased as did communication between staff and youth, with decreased barriers. Most, but not all, improvements were maintained at the 1-year follow-up. Organizational policies that support youth sexual health and the availability of educational materials, resources such as condoms, and referral lists also increased and were maintained at follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Organizational systems change may create a broader, more sustainable environment for increasing communication between youth and adults and increasing resources to promote sexual health.
authors: Planned Parenthood of New York City, New York, NY, USA lisa.colarossi@ppnyc.org.
authors: Lisa
authors: L
authors: Colarossi
authors: Planned Parenthood of New York City, New York, NY, USA.
authors: Gabriela S
authors: GS
authors: Betancourt
authors: Planned Parenthood of New York City, New York, NY, USA.
authors: Amanda
authors: A
authors: Perez
authors: Planned Parenthood of New York City, New York, NY, USA.
authors: Meghan
authors: M
authors: Weidl
authors: Planned Parenthood of New York City, New York, NY, USA.
authors: Haydee
authors: H
authors: Morales
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D057191:Capacity Building / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003142:Communication; D005178:Faculty / Q000458:organization & administration; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009519:New York City; D044469:Racial Groups; D060728:Reproductive Health / Q000193:education*; D012572:School Health Services / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012736:Sex Education / Q000458:organization & administration; D012725:Sexual Behavior
keywords: health promotion; program planning and evaluation; reproductive health; summative evaluation