The Erie County Department of Health, in partnership with CAI (Cicatelli Associates Inc.), has received a $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Adolescent Health (OAH) to facilitate and resource a community-driven plan to reduce teen pregnancy in nine zip code areas (14201, 14204, 14206, 14207, 14208, 14209, 14211, 14213, and 14215) in Buffalo, NY. This is the final year of funding for a five-year grant period.

With this grant, community youth, adults, community-based organizations, and other key stakeholders will work in partnership to reach 15,000 youth ages 15-19 with evidence-based programing in Buffalo Public Schools, after school programs, and in healthcare provider settings. Over the past four years, HOPE Buffalo – a project of CAI – has mobilized and engaged 43 diverse organizations in teen pregnancy prevention.

To date, our formal community-based partners include:

Buffalo Public School District
Confident Girl Mentoring Program, Inc.
Erie County Department of Health
Erie 1 BOCES
Native American Community Services of Erie and Niagara Counties
Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York
SS Columba Brigid
University of Washington
Via Evaluation

“Continued funding for the HOPE Buffalo project provides youth in Buffalo with access to comprehensive reproductive health education, health care providers and preventive services,” said Erie County Commissioner of Health Dr. Gale R. Burstein. “When youth have the tools to make informed decisions about their health and relationships, our community takes an important step towards improving public health.”

To achieve this long-term goal, HOPE Buffalo is employing three overarching strategies:
Delivery of Evidence-Based Interventions (EBIs) in cooperation with multiple Implementing Organizations (IOs), including community-based organizations (CBOs), schools, clinics, and facilities serving homeless and runaway teens.

Establishment of a referral and linkage network of youth-affirming health care providers and services that offer safe, supportive, and inclusive environments; and Community mobilization, including youth and community leadership. “We are excited for the opportunity to continue the important work that we started four years ago,” said Stan Martin, Project Director, CAI. “CAI is committed to ensuring that the youth voice is embedded in our work. A key aspect of the HOPE Buffalo initiative involves establishing inclusive, safe, and supportive environments in which youth can obtain information, resources, and services related to adolescent reproductive health and wellness.”

To learn more about this exciting initiative, please visit hopebuffalo.org or contact Stan Martin, Project Director, at (716) 246-3006 ext. 700 or via email atsmartin@caiglobal.org.