Power 2 Protect programs are active in schools and communities across Mississippi—helping youth protect their health, their voices, and their futures.
Years of Experiences
Power 2 Protect is a youth-focused initiative powered by the Mississippi State Department of Health’s Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP). By providing medically accurate sexual health education and practical life skills, the campaign equips young people with the confidence, knowledge, and tools to make informed decisions about their bodies, relationships, and futures.
Expert Authors
Great Lessons
For All Students
Easy to Follow
MSDH offers three PREP programs that can be implemented in schools, youth groups, and community settings. Each one is evidence-based, interactive, and designed to meet the needs of Mississippi youth.
For youth ages 11–18, this program builds confidence, sets goals, and encourages responsible decision-making about sexual health through engaging, interactive lessons.
Making Proud Choices! gives adolescents the tools to reduce their risk of HIV, STIs, and pregnancy by abstaining from sex or using condoms if they choose to be sexually active.
Designed for high school students ages 14–18, RTR prepares teens to navigate peer pressure, use protection responsibly, and plan for their futures.
Reducing the Risk (RTR) is a 16-session curriculum proven to help students delay sex or use protection consistently and correctly. The focus is on building the skills needed for risk assessment, communication, decision-making, planning, refusal strategies, and delay tactics.
For middle school students in grades 6–8, this program helps youth define personal boundaries, resist peer pressure, and build healthy, respectful relationships.
Draw the Line/Respect the Line is a 3-year evidence-based curriculum promoting abstinence and teaching boundary-setting, respect for others, and decision-making. Lessons include role play, group discussions, interactive games, videos, and guest speakers.
Whether you’re a parent, guardian, teacher, or mentor—your support matters.
Power 2 Protect equips youth with the tools to stay safe, healthy, and confident. But the guidance of parents, caregivers, and educators is just as necessary. You can make a difference by:
Together, we can give young people the knowledge and confidence they need to protect their health and future.
Research shows Mississippi parents overwhelmingly support sex-related education in schools. A survey by the Center for Mississippi Health Policy found:
Interested in offering one of our programs, or need more information? We’re here to help. Contact us to learn how you can support youth in your school, classroom, or community organization.
The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) is committed to promoting the healthy development of all children and adolescents.
Our vision: All Mississippi youth have access to evidence-based, medically accurate, age-appropriate sex education programs—empowering them to make safer reproductive health choices.
We work with school districts, community-based organizations, and youth detention centers in the counties most in need of these programs.
