Mission WV Receives Funding to Bring Evidence-Based Teen Pregnancy Prevention Programming to More Youth Across WV

(Hurricane, WV) July 15, 2019 – Mission WVs’ Teaching Health Instead of Nagging Kids (THINK) program has been awarded a two year Teen Pregnancy Prevention grant from the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Population Affairs to ensure high school aged youth are provided with the life skills training they need to make important life decisions. Mission WV will receive $492,000 per year of the grant, with a two year total of $984,000. 

“We are thankful that due to these funds, we can continue improving health outcomes for teens in WV.” said Jill Gwilt, THINK Director. “This project will help us increase awareness of teen pregnancy prevention and reproductive health strategies throughout the state. This is a great opportunity for our organization to strategically and intentionally work with communities and individuals at greatest need.”

Currently, THINK teaches pregnancy prevention, healthy relationship education, and positive youth development utilizing Love Notes, an evidence based curriculum; in health classes, juvenile centers, foster care facilities and alternative schools in 22 counties. With this funding the THINK program will be able to expand their services into Wood and Jackson counties, reaching an additional 3,000 students. 

The grant will start on July 15, 2019 and run through June 30, 2021.

About the THINK Program:

The THINK Program improves the health and economic well-being of individuals, communities and the state of WV by preventing teen pregnancy. To achieve its mission, the Mission WV team works with a variety of programs - public, private, school and community based - in 24 WV counties.   

To learn more about Mission WV’s THINK program, or to partner with Mission WV, call 866-CALL-MWV or visit missionwv.org. 

About Mission WV 

Mission West Virginia works to create stronger communities throughout the state by changing the lives of youth and families. We promote positive futures by recruiting foster families, providing life skills education and creating community connections. For more information about Mission WV, visit missionwv.org.