a. Hopeful Incredible Teens Offer Positive Solutions
b. Health Interested Teens Own Program on Sexuality
c. Happy Intelligent Teens Offer Popular Skits
d. Heroic Impeccable Teens Orchestrate Puberty Safely
While “all of the above” could describe HiTOPS, you are correct if you selected “b.”
Twenty two years ago, Health Interested Teens Own Program on Sexuality began focusing on educating high school age teens. What you may not know, is that HiTOPS has expanded its reach to pre-adolescents and emerging adults. The largest population to benefit from HiTOPS’ educational programs is middle school students ages 11-14. Last year nearly 4,000 students benefited from classes on puberty, healthy and unhealthy relationships, cyberbullying and sexual harassment prevention. Parents of pre-adolescents are seeking HiTOPS’ expertise to help prevent problems before they arise by increasing family-communication and promoting healthy decision-making.
HiTOPS’ Center for Adolescent Health is serving the other end of the adolescent age spectrum. The Center, located in Princeton, was founded to provide confidential health services to adolescents ages 13-26. Of the 814 clients served last year 89% were ages 17 and up, 62% are 19 and older. College students from multiple counties come to HiTOPS for a variety of health needs. In some cases, the health care they receive from HiTOPS is the only health care they receive from any source during their latter adolescence and young adult years. For more information or to contact the Center, call 609-683-5155 ext. 211.
