Subsequent Pregnancy Project: A Model that Works. This paper presents the program model for the Illinois Subsequent Pregnancy Project (SPP), an effective community-based program designed to delay second pregnancies among adolescent mothers, and highlights a collaborative approach to program development and evaluation. Begun in 1990, SPP is a collaborative effort among nine health and social service agencies, whose direct service staff have worked together to develop a program model and utilize this model across diverse populations of adolescents over time. Each year, 300 young first-time mothers, age 14-18, (African American, Mexican, Puerto Rican and Caucasian) in ten communities join SPP. Consistent year-end outcomes among SPP participants provide evidence of the effectiveness of the Subsequent Pregnancy Program Model, which provides intensive home visiting services coupled with substantive training and support through group participation. Between 1996-2000: only 2 to 4% (N=6-11) of the young mothers participating in SPP each year experienced a second pregnancy; 88-90% were reported to have had no unprotected sex in the last month; and between 75-80% remained in or graduated from high school. In addition to direct participant impacts, SPP Peer Educators reach over 1000 residents in six communities with their “delay” message every year. Factors which contribute to the effectiveness of the Subsequent Pregnancy Program effort are discussed, including: a specific focus on “delay”; the home visitor relationship; training; and an implementation strategy in which service providers participate in the development of the program model, the curriculum, and the evaluation strategy.
Learning Objectives: After this presentation, participants will be able to: 1. Identify components of an effective community-based program to delay second pregnancies among adolescent mothers, and 2. Describe a collaborative approach to program development and evaluation.
Keywords: Adolescents, Pregnancy
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.