EMAA GRANTS TO HELP PROMOTE ABSTINENCE

"Just say no" didn't work. Handing out condoms at schools didn't work. So the government is taking a new approach to curbing teen sexual activity and the resulting pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases.

The East Missouri Action Agencies, in conjunction with four other community action agencies in southern Missouri, have received a $200,000 grant to teach abstinence in partnership with parents.

The grant comes from Missouri's Department of Health.

"It's an abstinence-only program," explained Debra Willis Hamilton, assistant executive director of East Missouri Action Agency. "We don't talk about alternatives or contraception. We teach that abstinence is the only 100 percent guarantee to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases."

The message is sent to children during parent-child workshops, sponsored by community groups. The first of these meetings have been held with good response, said Hamilton.

"Children get some education in school, in health or PE classes," Hamilton said. "Our basic premise is that these workshops can serve as a catalyst for conversation between parent and child."

Parents and children attend the workshops together so they can discuss personal, moral and religious beliefs, she explained.

Educators are looking for sponsoring groups in each of the 25 counties.

Sponsors have been "church groups, social clubs, schools, Scouts. We even had a softball team," Hamilton said.

The sponsor must provide a location and enroll a minimum of six parent-child couples.

The curriculum is eight hours, but can be divided into several shorter meetings.

"At the end, kids get a contract to sign that they will abstain from sex. They also get a certificate for completing the course. Some schools are even offering extra credit," Hamilton said.

Two courses are available. One for boys or girls ages 9 to 12. The other for boys or girls ages 13 to 15. Classes are offered to girls or boys, but not mixed groups. Mothers or fathers may attend.

"We want to tell young teens it's OK to wait," said Hamilton. "There are other ways to express your feelings. There are ramifications of sex including pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases."

The East Missouri Action Agency serves Bollinger, Cape Girardeau, Iron, Madison, Perry, Ste. Genevieve and St. Francois counties.

The Delta Area Economic Opportunity serves Scott, Stoddard, Mississippi, Dunklin, Pemiscot and New Madrid counties.

South Central Missouri Community Action Agency serves Butler, Ripley, Carter, Shannon, Reynolds, and Wayne counties.

Ozark Action Agency, Inc., serves Oregon, Howell, Ozark, Douglas, Wright and Texas counties.