Latina Health Education and Empowerment Program (LHEEP)

The aim of the Latina Health Education and Empowerment Program (LHEEP) is to decrease rates of teen pregnancy and STIs among high risk female youth through science-based, peer delivered, and culturally specific, sexual health education.

HiTOPS is targeting three Mercer County school communities to recruit participants—through visits to ESL classes, recommendations from last year’s participants, and high school tours to HiTOPS. Currently there are applications or commitments from 21 Latinas (ages 15 to 18) from Princeton, Trenton Central, and West Windsor for a program at the school or at a local community site.

Diana Miranda, Latino Outreach Coordinator, is a trained sexual health educator and is in her third year as the coordinator for LHEEP. Ms. Miranda has worked with youth both in Colombia and the U.S., providing counseling and education on body image, self-esteem, and relationships. Elizabeth Walters, CNM, Director of Educational Programs, oversees staff and contributes to curriculum development and evaluation. She has provided well-woman gynecological care and sexuality education to adolescents at HiTOPS for 22 years. Elizabeth Casparian, Executive Director, will work in the community with educational leaders.