 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Robert ridley, MA, Annis Bishop, AA, and Margaret copemann, BS, CHES. D.C Deptartment of Health Maternal and Family Health Administration, 825 North Capital St NE 3rd floor, Washington, DC 20002, 202-442-5925, rridley@dchealth.com
The District of Columbia Department of Health has successfully developed and implemented two non-traditional teen pregnancy prevention programs that utilize common core component to assist in the building self-esteem skills. The Department Abstinence Education Program “I’m Worth the Wait” and Teen Mothers Take Charge (TMTC) Program teaches self-worth as an effective strategy for supporting youth in making healthy decisions about sex, substance abuse and gang related activities. Such improvements help to delay early onset of sexual activity and reduce high-risk behavior that may lead to pregnancy, Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) and juvenile delinquency. The purpose of TMTC is to help teen mothers postpone repeat pregnancies and embrace behaviors, which support and promote personal responsibility and self-sufficiency, job replacement and education services are also provided.
“I’m Worth the Wait” abstinence program was designed to assist youth in developing self-esteem building skills during the critical early years of adolescence. Both programs complement the Departments teen pregnancy prevention efforts and are easily integrated into numerous health promotions strategies across the District. During adolescence the formation of adequate self-esteem is essential to youth development. Good self-esteem building skills ensure that youth are better equipped to handle negative situations and peer-to-peer influences. A multidisciplinary approach to teen pregnancy prevention and programs initiatives aimed at the development of integrated strategies most relevant and appropriate for this targeted population will have a powerful impact on preventing unintended pregnancies. This presentation will offer participants an in-depth introduction to both program activities and design for youth involvement.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Adolescents, Pregnancy
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.