Abstinence Education Project

Mission
The Abstinence Education Initiative for the District of Columbia promotes the adoption of abstinence among youth age 9-14 who reside in wards 5, 6, 7, and 8, and promotes abstinence as a primary means to prevent pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases.

The District of Columbia's Abstinence Education Initiative consists of four major goals:

• Promote the adoption of abstinence among youth living in targeted areas.
• Increase the capacity of youth service organizations to provide abstinence-based education.
• Increase the number of youth who are receive abstinence education.
• Delay the onset of sexual activity among youth living in wards 5, 6, 7, and 8.

An abstinence education curriculum, "I'm Worth the Wait," was developed to help District of Columbia youth make the correct decision about abstinence from sexual activity. The curriculum is realistic and culturally sensitive, with nine specific learning goals for youth.