Partnership for Children and Families Reducing the Risk curriculum emphasis is on teaching students the interpersonal or social skills they can use to abstain or protect themselves. Abstinence is presented as the best, safest and most common choice for high school students, but Reducing the Risk also recognizes that some students are sexually active. For this reason, students are given clear guidelines and rationales for using protection during sex.  Students learn the importance of communication with their parents (or a trusted adult) and thinking through their own values in order to make decisions. 

Students in RTR:

• Evaluate the risks and lasting consequences of becoming an adolescent parent or becoming infected with HIV or another STD.
• Recognize that abstaining from sexual activity or using contraception are the only ways to avoid pregnancy, HIV and other STD.
• Conclude that factual information about conception and protection is essential for avoiding teen pregnancy, HIV and other STD.
• Demonstrate effective communication skills for remaining abstinent and for avoiding unprotected sexual intercourse.

(https://www.pfcf.org/rtr.html)

RTR is taught in the 9th grade health class of Lee County high schools.

​RTR has is an Evidence Based curriculum proven to:

• Delay sexual initiation
• Greater use of birth control
• Retained knowledge about sexual health and contraceptive use
• More likely to have conversations with parents (or trusted adult) about birth control and prevention of STDs/HIV.
• Increase Positive attitudes towards protection
• Increase Knowledge of pregnancy risks and STI risks

Just before the start of the 2025 school year, in was announced in late August of 2024 that the Reducing the Risk program was dropped from Lee County schools due to a lack of funding.  The Le County Health Department has made the area high schools and other community partners aware that that the Health Education section will help support the high schools in any capacity we are able to try to incorporate this education using the Making Proud Choices program materials given that this is where the staff has familiarity.  As of September of 2024, one area high school has had a meeting with the Health Education staff to discuss this partnership/assistance. 

This program has been cancelled in the Lee County School District.  The data shown is what is available until such time the program is brought back into the school system.

  Teen Pregnancy Reducing the Risk (RTR)