Healthy Relationships and Economic Pathways (H-REP)

The California Adolescent Health Collaborative (CAHC) brings together multiple nonprofit organizations in California's Central Valley to implement the Healthy Relationships and Economic Pathways (H-REP) program, which aims to increase and promote healthy relationships and stability among youth between the ages of 14 and 24.

This research project was designed to explore three core questions (RQs). Research Question 1:Does assignment to the HRE improve the knowledge and skills necessary to develop and maintain caring and supportive personal and professional relationships among youth between the ages of 18 and 24 in Stanislaus and Merced Counties? In addition, American Institutes for Research (AIR), an independent evaluator, has been asked to answer two supplemental RQs: Research Question 2: Does participation in the HRE Technology Boot Camp improve technological knowledge and skills as well as awareness of professional and educational opportunities among youth between the ages of 18 and 24? Research Question 3: Does HRE have the same effect on relationship knowledge and skills for youth between the ages of 18 and 24 who participate in the HRE-only training as it does for youth who participate in HRE plus Technology Bootcamp? H-REP provides a comprehensive, three-pathway program of services to (a) students in traditional, comprehensive high schools; (b) students in continuation of alternative schools (e.g. court schools); and (c) youth between the ages of 18 and 24 who are receiving employment support services from Central Valley nonprofit programs. The H-REP program involves formal classes in Healthy Relationship Education (HRE) and technology use, case management, and job skills training.

Adolescent Relationship Abuse, Sexually Transmitted Infections, Pregnancy (Unwanted), Violence, Intentional Injury

This socio-behavioral intervention project will randomly assign participants to the HRE-only or the HRE+Technology bootcamp arms, with a waitlist for accommodation of additionally interested youth, and a cross-over option

Social-behavioral intervention Participants will receive employment support services and Healthy Relationships Education interventions.

Social-behavioral intervention + technology bootcamp (associated economic pathways for participants) Participants will receive employment support services, Healthy Relationships Education, and Technology Bootcamp interventions.

Healthy Relationships and Economic Pathways involves formal classes in Healthy Relationship Education (HRE), comprehensive case management, and support services and referrals to services.

HRE + Technology Bootcamp involves formal classes in Healthy Relationships Education (HRE), comprehensive case management, support services and referral to services, 6-week intensive website and professional development training, and paid work experience developing a website for a local small business and mentorship.

HRE survey to assess changes in knowledge and skills needed to develop and maintain caring and supportive personal and professional relationships (surveys)

Baseline and 6 month follow-up surveys of participants will be conducted to assess impact of the intervention.

Inclusion Criteria: students in traditional, comprehensive high schools; students in continuation or alternative schools; youth between ages of 18-24 who receive employment support services from Central Valley non-profit programs (California); residents of Merced or Stanislaus counties (California). Exclusion Criteria: less than sixth-grade English language proficiency