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May 2005 Monthly Monitor
Advocates for Youth's Youth of Color Initiative
Feature: Teen Pregnancy Prevention
Good news! Between 1991 and 2002, teen birth rates significantly declined in every age and racial/ethnic group. Nationally, the teen birth rate declined 30 percent during those eleven years and every state and Washington, DC, also experienced declines. The largest decline by race/ethnicity was among young black women. Birth rates for black women ages 15 to 19 fell 42 percent and Hispanic teen birth rates declined 20 percent. The research indicates that sexually active teens are becoming more effective users of contraception and that more teens are choosing to remain abstinent during early and middle adolescence. Overall, teen birth rates also result in improved overall child well-being in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, according to a new state-by-state analysis from the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy.
Nevertheless, the rates for both Hispanic and black young women remain higher than for any other group. In fact, Hispanic teens have the highest birth rates among teens. To continue to reduce rates of teen pregnancy and birth amongst youth of color, we must continue providing culturally appropriate and age-specific programs that address the many social and economic disparities that place youth of color at risk for teen pregnancy and too early childbearing.
To assist your organization in providing culturally appropriate teen pregnancy prevention programs for young people, please review Science and Success, Second Edition: Sex Education and Other Programs that Work to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, HIV & Sexually Transmitted Infections. This document summarizes programs whose evaluations have been published in peer reviewed journals and that have been shown to reduce at least two sexual risk behaviors and/or to reduce rates or incidence of pregnancy, HIV, or STIs among youth exposed to the program. Clear charts identify the behaviors and health outcomes affected by each program as well as the locale, age range, and populations. The document also directs you where to purchase the program. See the document at http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/programsthatwork/index.htm
In addition, the Program Archive on Sexuality, Health & Adolescence (PASHA) and Advocates for Youth partnered to produce another selection tool, available on line at http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/pasha.htm This tool provides access to a wide range of promising teen pregnancy and HIV/STI prevention programs. The selection tool allows you to specify the:
- Aim of the program (primary pregnancy prevention, secondary pregnancy prevention, or HIV/STI prevention);
- Program setting (middle school/junior high, high school, college campus, clinic, community-based organization or other community setting, or incarceration facility);
- Program approach (community outreach, contraceptive/condom access, youth development, self-esteem, etc.); and
- Population characteristics (gender, race/ethnicity, grade level, age, or other, including sexual orientation, rural, incarcerated, runaway, in residential drug treatment, etc.).
Advocates for Youth recently updated its National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month (NTPPM) Planning Guidebook. The guidebook provides strategic tips and examples to help local communities plan and implement activities for NTPPM. It also includes fact sheets, guidance for involving youth and working with the media, and sample forms. To download the guidebook and sample forms, please visit http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/publications/ntppm.htm
Youth of Color Initiative Partner Programs
American Indian Child Resource Center Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Program, 21 Generations, Oakland, CA
The American Indian Child Resource Center (AICRC) serves to preserve and promote the integrity and culture of American Indian youth and their families. AICRC programs have developed over the years to meet the challenges faced by the urban American Indian community. By providing social services, community support and education, AICRC helps Indian families stay together and promotes the success of our Native youth. One of the most successful programs at the American Indian Child Resource Center is the adolescent pregnancy prevention program, 21 Generations, which has a peer education component.
Using a culturally relevant curriculum, 21 Generations provides health education in both traditional classroom settings and also interactive workshops led by American Indian youth. In addition, 21 Generations offers support to young mothers and fathers in the American Indian community. 21 Generations' goals are to reduce adolescent pregnancy rates in the urban American Indian community of Alameda County and to reduce the number of children who lack a relationship with their father.
Each school year, American Indian youth are recruited to the peer educator program. Applicants must be between the ages of 14 and 19 and committed to preventing teen pregnancy and fatherlessness in the community. The peer educators undergo an extensive youth leadership-training program throughout the school year. 21 Generations staff lead workshops and fieldtrips twice each month. Peer educators receive a monthly stipend, provide one-on-one health education to their peers, make presentations, and facilitate workshops for a variety of groups.
For more information about 21 Generations, please contact Sherry Wilson, Coordinator/Health Educator, at 510-208-1870 x318 or sherry@aicrc.org
New York Urban League Teenage Services Act Program, New York City
The Teenage Services Act (TASA) Program is a community-based organization located in Brooklyn, NY. It provides case management services for pregnant and/or parenting teens, with the primary goals of preventing another pregnancy and of fostering self-sufficiency in at-risk teens. Those eligible to participate in TASA must be a recipient of, or payee on behalf of a child eligible for, ADC and home relief categories of public assistance. TASA provides case management services to teens ages 13 to 20 for an average of two years. The TASA program seeks to allow teens to: reduce their risk of another pregnancy; make appropriate use of their financial resources; reside in a healthy, safe, and nurturing environment; improve their social functioning in both their family and in society; maintain and/or improve their health, including mental health; complete their secondary education and pursue post-secondary education; and obtain job skills and employment.
For more information about the Teenage Services Act (TASA) Program, please contact Marta Hardy, Director at 718-485-9660 or HARDYTASA@aol.com
Pitt County Health Department Peer Education Program, Greenville, NC
The mission of the Pitt County Health Department is to protect, promote and assure the health of all county residents. To achieve this mission, the Health Department has a number of clinical and community programs and services. Among them is the youth development program, housing a peer education program for the youth of Pitt County. The peer education program focuses on preventing pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The program is composed of ninth to eleventh grade students of North Pitt High School, who are trained to educate their peers on pregnancy and STI prevention.
At the start of the school year, students receive skills training and education in the area of pregnancy and STI prevention. The students, in turn, design activities to educate their peers. Along with group projects, the students volunteer individually for activities throughout the community, acting as liaisons between their peers and available community resources. The program gives students an alternative to risky behavior, an opportunity to educate their peers, and a chance to enhance their leadership skills.
For more information about this peer education program, please contact Vashti Joyner, Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Coordinator, at 252-902-2453 or vkjoyner@co.pitt.nc.us
Capacity Building & Professional Development
The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention, Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention is sponsoring an HIV/STD Educator/Trainer Network (ETN) Meeting entitled "Moving Beyond Content: Facing Challenges of Change" in Atlanta, GA, July 13-16, 2005. The purpose of the ETN is to foster a climate where individuals who play key roles in HIV/STD prevention training can collaborate with one another and with CDC in developing and delivering the highest quality HIV/STD prevention training. This meeting is specifically designed to bring together trainers in the field of HIV and STD prevention to network and share important issues. The meeting's goal is to exchange information about courses and training initiatives to build skills among trainers. For more information, please contact Phyllis K. Storch at 404-639-5221 or pstorch@cdc.gov
The Black Gay Research Group (BGRG) has announced its 2005 Black Gay Research Summit to be held August 3-5, 2005 in Brooklyn, NY. A major initiative of BGRG is to address the dearth of research and program interventions about black men who have sex with men (MSM). BGRG intends to broaden the scope of research to include an array of issues (not just HIV-specific) in the lives of black MSM. The 2005 Summit will provide a forum where participants: learn and exchange information with respect to research by and about black gay men and black MSM; create collaborations among black gay and MSM agencies and programs; and provide a platform for agencies and organizations to discuss resource barriers. For more information please contact Howard Lee 718-230-0770 ext. 226 or poccgen@pocc.org
Healthy Teen Network formerly known as The National Organization on Adolescent, Pregnancy, Parenting and Prevention (NOAPPP) has announced that its 2005 annual conference, Leading the Charge: Making a Difference in the Lives of Teens and Young Families, will be held November 16-19, 2005, in Chicago, IL. Healthy Teen Network seeks proposals for presentations and hands-on workshops that will develop transferable skills among conference participants in the following focus areas: 1) research and evaluation, 2) policy and advocacy, and/or 3) programs. Within each of the three focus areas, the conference will emphasize the following subcategories: pregnancy prevention and sex education; young families (teen parents and their children); science-based programs and practices; family involvement and engagement; male involvement; and state and local coalitions. For more information, please visit http://www.healthyteennetwork.org/Services/Conference/2005%20Conference/2005Conference.htm
Funding Opportunities
The MetLife Foundation supports health, education, civic affairs, and culture. To meet the Foundation's goal of helping people make more informed decisions about their health, grants are available for national health promotion and education initiatives, particularly for young people. Emphasis is given to, HIV and AIDS prevention education, substance abuse prevention, healthy aging, and promoting healthy life styles. For more information, please visit http://www.cdcnpin.org/scripts/display/FundDisplay.asp?FundNbr=2260
The Gap Community Relations carries out charitable activities in four major program areas: health and human services; arts and culture; education; and the environment. Children and youth are the primary focus, with emphasis on improving the lives and prospects of children and youth, especially those from disadvantaged and/or minority backgrounds. Community Relations also makes contributions of t-shirts, sweatshirts, and gift certificates to support organizations that fit its program interests. Contributed merchandise and gift certificates may not be resold to raise funds for the organization. For more information please visit, http://www.cdcnpin.org/scripts/display/FundDisplay.asp?FundNbr=1000
Announcements
MAY 18th is HIV Vaccine Research Awareness Day
May 18, 2005, marks the eighth annual HIV Vaccine Awareness Day. Community activities and media events around the country will: highlight research advances; address challenges associated with HIV and AIDS; recognize volunteers who have participated in HIV vaccine clinical trials; underscore why preventive HIV vaccines still offer the best hope for controlling the HIV and AIDS pandemic; unveil the upside-down AIDS ribbon as a symbol of progress; and recognize the need for education. For more information, please visit http://www.niaid.nih.gov/newsroom/mayday/
What did your organization do for National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month? The Youth of Color Initiative would like to share your activities and events with Initiative partners in the June edition of the Monthly Monitor. We know you are doing great work in your community and with your clients, so please e-mail your submissions to nahnahsha@advocatesforyouth.org
Resources
Advocates for Youth
http://www.advocatesforyouth.org
http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/programsthatwork/index.htm
http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/teenpregnancy.htm
Healthy Teen Network
http://www.healthyteennetwork.org
The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy
http://www.teenpregnancy.org
You can help Advocates for Youth with a contribution today. To donate, visit http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/about/donatetoday.htm
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