Frequently Asked Questions
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Q: What happened to the Governor’s Program on Abstinence (GPA)?
A: June 30, 2009 marked the end of the federal Title V funding for abstinence education in all states, including Louisiana. The Governor’s Program on Abstinence had been funded through these federal moneys since its inception. Because this funding is no longer available, and in an attempt under new leadership to better related to and connect with high school students, the GPA has now become Louisiana Youth for Excellence (LYFE). |
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Q: What are LYFE clubs?
A: LYFE clubs are school clubs similar to civic, language, or arts clubs. They are sponsored or led by a teacher sponsor within a given school, are comprised of students within that school, and meet on a regular basis. |
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Q: What is the purpose of LYFE clubs?
A: LYFE clubs provide a safe place for students to hear a message of sexual purity, good decision making, and leadership development. LYFE clubs are open to any student in the school who wishes to attend. |
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Q: Should LYFE clubs be run in a similar manner as GPA clubs?
A: The purpose and vision of the LYFE clubs are similar to previous GPA clubs, i.e. to provide a safe place for students to meet and encourage one another in their pursuit of excellence. However, because of the lack of funding from a federal level, many of the state wide events that took place under the GPA will not be taking place under LYFE. |
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Q. Are LYFE Sponsor Handbooks and Officers’ Manuals Available?
A. The State LYFE Staff is currently working on both a Teacher Sponsor Workbook and an Officers’ Manual. As soon as the staff completes these manuals, they will be distributed to the clubs and available on the website. |
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Q: Should LYFE clubs collect dues from students?
A: It is up to the discretion of the LYFE Sponsor to collect dues from students. The LYFE State Office will not be collecting any dues from the clubs, but the clubs can use these monies to help purchase LYFE t-shirts (more information about t-shirts is below), host an event at school, travel to a LYFE event, pay for a speaker to come to an event, etc. The State LYFE Office is working with a media company to design an easy to use t-shirt template for the individual schools. |
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Q: Should LYFE Clubs establish officers?
A: Yes. It is best for the structure and order of the club for each school to have officers that will allow the meeting and club activities to be run in an orderly manner. The same officer positions previously held under the GPA Clubs should continue under LYFE Clubs. |
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Q: When is the next conference/event going to be held?
A: The LYFE staff is working to procure other grant opportunities or private monies that would allow The State LYFE Office to host a statewide event or regional events. At this time, there are no events planned because of the lack of funding, but the LYFE staff is hopeful that there will be funds available soon. |
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Q: What is the new curriculum being used in the LYFE program?
A: After much research of many different abstinence curriculums, LYFE has decided to partner with “Choosing the Best.” Over 2.5 million students nationwide have been exposed to the Choosing the Best Curriculum since its inception in 1993. Through LYFE’s partnership with Choosing the Best there are currently four age-appropriate abstinence curricula that are known for being easy to use, dynamic, and engaging available for clubs to use. For more information, visit: www.choosingthebest.org. The grade specific levels for the curricula are as follows: |
- Path: 7th Grade
- LIFE : 8th Grade
- Journey : 9-10th Grades
- Soul mate: 11-12th Grades
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Q: How do I order the new curriculum so that I can begin to teach it to my students?
A: The LYFE program is requiring all teachers, volunteers, administrators, etc. who are interested in teaching the Choosing the Best curriculum to attend and complete a curriculum certification training. These trainings are one day trainings and are conducted by staff members of Choosing the Best in conjunction with the LYFE State Office. For information on the next training in your area, please contact LYFE at 225-342-5818. |
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Q: How many copies of Choosing the Best curriculum can I get once I complete a curriculum certification training?
A: Fortunately, for those who complete a curriculum certification training and plan to implement the program within their clubs or schools, LYFE has purchased a large quantity of the Choosing the Best materials. The State LYFE Office is thus able to provide individual schools and clubs with a curriculum starter kit. LYFE will provide those schools interested in implementing the curriculum with : |
- Path, Life, Journey, and Soul mate
- 40 Student Manuals
- 1 Leader Kit
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Q: If I have not attended a Choosing the Best training can I still use the old GPA curriculum/materials?
A: Due to the outdated facts and material within the old GPA Curriculum, all LYFE Club Sponsors/Teachers must be trained in and teach the new curriculum. The State LYFE Office realizes because of logistical constraints not all teachers have been trained in the new curriculum. In light of these constraints, the State Office has established a grace period until January 1, 2010 for those teachers who have not completed the curriculum certification training to do so. Please contact the LYFE State Office to register for the next available training in your area. 225.342.5818 |
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Q: When will the new LYFE website be up?
A: The State LYFE Office is currently working with a website company to provide the best website possible. Look for the new website Fall 2009. www.lalyfe.com |
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Q: What resources are available to help start LYFE Clubs and/or promote events and meetings?
A: Initially flyers and documents will be available for your use to help promote your LYFE club events and meetings in your school. In addition to these materials, a logo designed by our marketing/media company will be provided for school specific publications. |
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Q: Will there be a t-shirt design template on the website?
A: Yes! The State LYFE Office is working with a marketing and media company to provide a t-shirt template for your use. The design is usually the bulk of the cost in creating t-shirts. Should the club choose to provide t-shirts for their members, this will help defray the cost. |
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Q: Who will be paying for the t-shirts?
A: Unfortunately, due to the lack of federal of funding for the program, the cost of t-shirts will be covered by the LYFE club or group if they choose to create a t-shirt for their members. |
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Q. Who can I contact if I have further questions?
A. Please contact the State LYFE Office at 225.342.5818 or e-mail LYFE Program Manager Daniel Kirk at daniel.kirk@la.gov |
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people, I see the obstacles that Louisiana’s youth face. Every day these youth face negative peer pressures and increased temptations for at-risk behaviors in their schools and community. School officials and community leaders are meeting these challenges with positive outlets for the students as well as programs designed to promote positive behaviors in the classroom and at home. In response to the challenges of negative peer pressure and at-risk behaviors in our state, I am joining with the schools and community leaders by initiating within the Governor’s Office “Louisiana Youth of Excellence”, or LYFE.
