This is an archive page. The links are no longer being updated.

Date: Wednesday, Oct. 15, 1997
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: HRSA Press Office (301) 443-3376

HHS Awards $1 Million To Build Bright Futures For Young Girls

"As they enter adolescence, too many girls lose confidence, become vulnerable to negative influences, and begin to engage in risky behaviors that could cost them their health and even their lives," said Secretary Shalala. "With these grants, communities can work together to help young girls stay healthy, stay active, and make the most of their lives."

Community projects receiving funding include Girls Incorporated of Memphis, Memphis, Tenn.; Youth and Family Services, Inc., Rapid City, S.D.; Crispus Attucks Association, York, Pa.; and the City of Madison, Madison, Wis.

Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition, Inc., Washington, D.C., received the award to operate the national consortium to provide technical assistance and consultation to the four funded communities as well as to others interested in developing their own locally funded Girl Neighborhood Power projects.

These awards are part of Girl Power!, a national public health campaign sponsored by HHS to help educate and encourage girls to stay away from dangers like tobacco, pregnancy, and eating disorders and build confidence in sports, academics, and other endeavors.

Studies show that girls experience adolescence differently than boys. They are less likely to be physically active, and more likely to be depressed, to have a negative body image, and to attempt suicide. During this pivotal period, girls often lose self-confidence, performing less well in school, ignoring their own interests and aspirations, and becoming more vulnerable to negative outside influences and to mixed messages about risky behaviors.

Girl Neighborhood Power: Building Bright Futures for Success is a 5-year effort to demonstrate how state and local agencies, organizations, businesses and communities can work together to improve the health, education and well-being of adolescent girls. The Girl Neighborhood Power program is administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration, an HHS agency. It is funded through the Maternal and Child Health Special Projects of Regional and National Significance program.

The Girl Neighborhood Power effort is intended to help girls with physical activity, nutrition, health education, abstinence, mental health, social development, community service and future careers.

"Adolescence is a critical transition period from childhood to adulthood," said Claude Earl Fox, M.D., M.P.H., acting administrator, Health Resources and Services Administration.

"Community-based and community-driven, these grants address the unique needs and challenges that young girls experience during adolescence."

To receive funding, the four community-based projects demonstrated how a coalition of agencies, families, businesses and volunteers would work together to promote the well-being of girls in their neighborhoods and how their projects would be sustained by community investment following the conclusion of federal support.

A list of the grantees and funding is below.