Three State Boards Of Education Awarded HIV Prevention Grants By National Association Of State Boards Of Education

Main Category: HIV / AIDS
Article Date: 03 Mar 2008 - 4:00 PDT

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The National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE) has made grants to three state boards of education to promote more effective instruction to K-12 students about HIV prevention. The $13,000 grants are being made to the North Carolina, Oregon, and Tennessee State Boards of Education.

"HIV remains a dire threat to public health. And as with any communicable disease, education must be a cornerstone of our prevention efforts. These HIV prevention grants continue NASBE's long and proud tradition as a national leader in promoting student health policies and of providing support-both technical assistance and financial resources-to state boards of education," said Brenda Welburn, NASBE Executive Director.

The HIV Prevention Policy and Program Improvement Initiative assists state boards of education and state education agencies to more effectively provide K-12 students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to prevent HIV infection. The grants will support intensive state capacity building to improve HIV-related education policies and programs. The three state boards of education developed specific action plans that reflect their particular state's needs.

The North Carolina State Board of Education will develop an on-line training module for school administrators to increase knowledge, attitudes and support for HIV prevention education and emphasize the state's Healthful Living Standard Course of Study (SCS).

The Tennessee State Board of Education will train Family Life Educators (FLE) and Coordinated School Health Coordinators during a series of HIV seminars. The forums will target educators charged with delivering sexuality education and include risk reduction skills and teaching strategies.

The Oregon State Board of Education will provide training to administrative personnel across the State to help implement a recently revised state statute governing HIV/STD prevention education.

"We are impressed with the leadership displayed by each of these state boards of education in seeking these grants, as well as the thoughtful initiatives they crafted to best support their HIV prevention strategies," noted Welburn. Along with the funds, NASBE's Center for Safe and Healthy Schools staff will continue to provide ongoing technical assistance to each state.

The grants are part of NASBE's HIV Prevention Policy and Program Improvement Initiative, a facet of the Center for Safe and Healthy Schools, which is supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Division of Adolescent and School Health (CDC-DASH).

NASBE represents America's state and territorial boards of education. Its principal objectives are to strengthen state leadership in education policymaking; advocate equality of access to educational opportunity; promote excellence in the education of all students; and assure responsible lay governance of education.

National Association of State Boards of Education