HOPE Buffalo, a project of CAI, has been awarded a three year grant totaling $4,365,000 from The Office of Population Affairs (OPA) through its “Optimally Changing the Map for Teen Pregnancy Prevention (Tier 1)” funding opportunity to support teen pregnancy prevention in the City of Buffalo.  
 
In existence since 2015, HOPE Buffalo will use a systems thinking approach, improving the health of adolescents by reducing teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections in communities with the highest need. Focusing on three selected zip codes (14206, 14211, 14215) in Buffalo, these efforts will include replicating effective teen pregnancy prevention programs learned from past experiences and providing supportive services to youth, caregivers, faith organizations, healthcare providers and educators. 
 
Within the past five years, HOPE Buffalo has promoted positive youth development and adolescent health by engaging audiences and reducing teen pregnancy in nine selected zip codes in Buffalo. Past accomplishments include:
 
  • As of December 2019, HOPE Buffalo Implementing Partners reached over 6,162 youth and caregivers with evidence-based interventions proven to promote teen health.
  • After developing a referral guide, over 3,454 health and social services referrals were made for teens across the Buffalo community.
  • Through effective community partnerships, HOPE Buffalo was successful in getting sexual health education guidelines within the Buffalo Public School policy to promote adolescent health and well-being. 
  • The Youth Leadership Team awarded over $70,000 to Innovative Partnerships in Buffalo over the past five years.
  • HOPE Buffalo has partnered with over 90 diverse community organizations in Buffalo.
  • In 2020, HOPE Buffalo conducted a community-wide assessment, retrieving 700 completed surveys.
  • As a result, 88% of parents and caregivers in the designated zip codes believed that the community has a responsibility to teach teens about sexual health, protection from unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases.  
 
“We are excited for the opportunity to continue the important work that we started in 2015,” said Stan Martin, Project Director at CAI. “CAI is committed to providing a platform for the community’s voice and establishing an inclusive, safe and supportive environment. In the next three years, we will continue to provide the youth with resources and services, while also seeking to make a policy change that addresses the social determinants of health that drive inequities in the life outcomes of Buffalo youth.”
 
Valuing Health, Opportunity, Prevention and Education, this community-driven initiative looks forward to continuing the HOPE mission, in addition to strengthening the professional pathway for young people to obtain jobs. To learn more about HOPE Buffalo, visit www.hopebuffalo.org.  
 
Youth Leadership Team of HOPE Buffalo. Please note, image was taken prior to COVID-19.
 
 
HOPE Buffalo hosting a community action team meeting. Image taken prior to COVID-19.
 
ABOUT HOPE BUFFALO: HOPE Buffalo is a youth and community led collaborative that has successfully been able to mobilize and engage youth, parents, adults, schools, community/youth serving organizations, health care providers, and the faith community in a comprehensive teen pregnancy prevention strategy. Cicatelli Associates Inc. (CAI), in partnership with the Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH), has received a $10 million grant over five years from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Adolescent Health (OAH) to reduce teen pregnancy by 30% in nine zip code areas by the year 2020. The grant is one of 50 community-based teen pregnancy prevention initiatives funded by OAH. To learn more about this amazing collaborative, please visit www.hopebuffalo.org. 
ABOUT CAI (CICATELLI ASSOCIATES INC.): CAI is a diverse, mission-driven nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of health care and social services delivered to vulnerable populations worldwide. Since 1979 we’ve tackled the toughest health and social issues that confront populations and communities most impacted by health disparities. Working as trusted partners with numerous funders, our customized services build the capacity of health and human service organizations, improving lives in the communities we serve. Our passionate staff and commitment to the populations we serve drive us to innovate, educate and create positive change – fostering a more aware, healthy, compassionate and equitable world. For additional information visit www.caiglobal.org.