Contact Us

Melissa Steiner, Project Director/Health Educator
msteiner@medinstitute.org
512-328-6268 ext 202

Program Summary

The Medical Institute for Sexual Health (MI), is collaborating with World Vision, Inc. to provide innovative training for parents and parenting adults in the area of sexual health through the Building Family Connections (BFC) program. With a particular emphasis on increasing parental involvement in abstinence education, the program aims to ultimately postpone the age of sexual debut in adolescents nationwide. This 10-hour curriculum teaches parents and other adults hands-on skills to help youth grow up safe, smart, and strong. During the interactive course, parents learn how to discuss sexual health and abstinence, connect with their children, and adopt effective communication and decision making strategies.

With funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Building Family Connections curriculum was developed and piloted with diverse audiences throughout the country. Train-the-Trainer events are being held annually to establish a cadre of community and faith-based trainers nationwide. These certified trainers will have the knowledge and skills to train parenting adults in their communities.

Early age of sexual debut contributes to higher rates of HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and nonmarital pregnancies. Fortunately, effective parenting strategies, including monitoring, communication about sexual health, parent-child connectedness, and positive disciplinary methods all contribute to an adolescent’s choice to avoid early sexual debut.

According to the Program Director, Melissa Steiner “We anticipate that this program will be one of the best and most successful tools for sparking dramatic change in our communities.” We expect an immediate impact —right where people live—and are excited about the difference parenting adults can make in the lives of the children they love and care about."

For information about a course near you or to host a Train-the-Trainer event, contact Melissa Steiner at ta@buildingfamilyconnections.org. The curriculum is also available in Spanish.