1. 1 The Web of Life Study A program evaluation study of an experiential, positive youth development approach to prevent teen pregnancy for Native youth

2. 2 The Web of Life Program: Funding and Purpose Funded by a five year grant to the National Indian Youth Leadership Project, Gallup, NM by the U.S. Office of Adolescent Health (HHS), 2010-2015 Purpose is to develop and study an adaptation of NIYLP’s Project Venture to prevent unwanted teen pregnancy, and related risk factors.

3. 3 The Web of Life Program: Key Elements Carefully structured and sequenced adventure-based experiential activities, including problem solving, service learning, & equine activities, delivered to 6 th grade youth in three settings: School-based: weekly sessions develop social emotional learning skills Community-based: weekly after school sessions, and bi- monthly weekend/vacation sessions build on school component and further develop skills to support healthy development (the “Six Cs”) Wilderness-based: hiking, camping, etc.

4. 4 The Web of Life Study: Evaluation Design Quasi-experimental, with two program sites (Laguna Middle School and Chief Manuelito Middle School, Gallup), and two comparison sites (Zuni Middle School and JF Kennedy Middle School, Gallup) Pre, post and one year follow-up survey designed to measure risk as well as resilience factors Careful documentation of program delivery, fidelity, and quality Four cohorts of 6 th graders, beginning with 2011-2012 school year.

5. 5 Web of Life Study: Outcome Measures Developmental assets Substance use Mental health (depression, anxiety) Ethnic Identity Sexual behavior

6. www.niylp.org 6