Program Description
Teen Outreach Program (TOP) is a positive youth development program designed to support adolescents’ healthy development and reduce risky behaviors. The program combines curriculum-based group sessions, community service learning, and ongoing guidance from supportive adults. Lessons address topics such as goal setting, communication and assertiveness, decision-making, relationships, health and wellness, including sexual health, and human development. Students also participate in structured community service experiences intended to build self-efficacy, strengthen connections with others, and provide opportunities to apply skills discussed in the curriculum. TOP is designed to be flexible enough to be used in school, after-school, and community-based settings.
Program Outcomes
The impact of Teen Outreach Program was evaluated in a cluster-randomized study conducted in nonmetropolitan Florida high schools with two cohorts of primarily ninth-grade students. TOP was implemented as supplemental instruction in health and physical education-related classes over nine months, with a minimum of 25 weekly sessions. Trained facilitators employed by county-level Florida Departments of Health delivered the program rather than classroom teachers.
In Cohort 1, TOP students were significantly less likely than control students to report having sex without a condom in the previous three months (effect size = +0.19). In Cohort 2, TOP students were significantly less likely to report intending to have sex without a condom in the next year (effect size = +0.24). When all eligible risky sexual behavior outcomes across both cohorts were included, including nonsignificant results, the average effect was effect size = +0.09. These results qualify TOP for a Strong rating in the Problem Behaviors domain.
Staffing Requirements
TOP fidelity standards require that the TOP teen to TOP trained facilitator ratio is 25:1 or lower.
Professional Development/Training
Successful completion of the TOP Training of Facilitators is required prior to program implementation. Training of Facilitators is a 2.5 day training led by certified TOP trainers and may be completed either virtually or in person. Trained facilitators also have ongoing access to resources from Wyman to support program fidelity and quality. Each implementing organization may offer additional professional development and technical assistance opportunities.
Technology
There is no specific technology needed to implement the program. Access to computers and the internet is recommended to collect teen surveys online.