Congressman Visclosky announced a grant award from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to A Positive Approach to Teen Health (PATH), a local 501 (c)(3) organization dedicated to teen health programs. The funds were awarded from the Department’s Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP) created by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010.
According to PATH’s mission statement, the organization works “to equip, empower, and encourage teens to make healthy life choices through life skills, relationship, and character building education.” PATH serves approximately 15,000 young people in 23 school districts across seven counties of Northwest Indiana.
Donna L. Golob, Executive Director of PATH, explained that the grant would provide a major boost to the organization in its efforts to reach the youth of Northwest Indiana. With this grant, “PATH will continue to bring age-appropriate and medically-accurate programming to students, enabling them to make stronger life choices and resulting in stronger communities,” she said. Ms. Golob also expressed the need to keep teen health programs “factual, relevant, and interactive.” “Today’s youth are looking for the truth,” she said.
Congressman Visclosky added, “I am grateful to the dedicated staff of PATH for securing this grant, which was made possible by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. With parents, teachers, and community organizations working together to encourage healthy decisions, our region’s teens have a support system in place as they pursue successful careers and healthy lives.”
The award to PATH totals $691,213.00.