Published: April 03, 2008 11:51 am      

Federal grant allows for HIV education in state classrooms

CUMBERLAND - The Maryland State Department of Education received a $1.38 million grant from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for HIV prevention education and the Maryland Youth Risk Behavior Survey.

"I'm very pleased that MSDE is working with us on this," said Lorelee Farrell, director of health and family life at the Allegany County Board of Education. "Kids need to have this type of information. They have to learn that they play a huge role in determining their future. Life just doesn't happen; it's about choices."

During the first year of the grant, MSDE will conduct an inventory of the prevention programs to determine if improvements are needed. In addition to professional development, training and Web-based technology, the grant will be used to develop a strategic plan for guidance and direction of prevention activities.

In May, Farrell will learn more about what programs will be available in Allegany County as a result of the grant.

"I am extraordinarily pleased that MSDE has received this grant to allow the continuation of critical initiatives addressing chronic diseases, such as HIV," said State Superintendent of Schools Nancy Grasmick. "It is imperative for the health of Maryland's youth that preventive programs are in place to prevent the further spread of HIV, STD, and to prevent teen pregnancy."

The YMCA provides an abstinence education program to sixth- and eighth-graders in county schools, according to Farrell.

"The kids are very receptive to the program. They want this kind of information because it's about them," said Farrell.

The program provides students with information about decision-making.

"In today's world, sex is in our face. The perception is that sex is normal and fun and there are no consequences, and that's not the case," said Sharon Cihlar, director of the community-based abstinence education program at the YMCA. "Kids need accurate information so that they can make healthy choices."

The Maryland Youth Risk Survey is administered every other spring to students in grades nine through 12 with parental consent. The survey is designed to collect data for the analysis of youth risk behaviors.

Although Maryland ranks 19th among the 50 states and the District of Columbia in total population, it was ninth in the cumulative number of AIDS cases in 2004 and third in the AIDS incidence rate in 2003, according to the Maryland AIDS Administration. At the end of 2005, the estimated rate of adults living with AIDS in Maryland was 13,768 cases per 100,000 population, according to the CDC.

In Allegany County, 34 people were living with HIV, and another 34 were living with AIDS as of December 2007, according to data provided by the Allegany County Heath Department.

Contact Jennifer Raley at jraley@times-news.com.