A total of 120 Male Parenting Partners will be chosen from 8 teen parent sites in New Mexico. Male Parenting Partners may be the Biological father of the child born to a teen mother or he may be the person now in the father role. Through this project, participants will receive the availability of services including outreach, case management, and support groups. Services will include educational and vocational support and guidance, parenting skills, life skills training, sexuality and contraceptive education, and peer education training. The most intensive services and training will be focused on 24 of he Male Parenting Partners to enable them to become peer trainers. These peer trainers will link up with adult male trainers in the project and begin to provide education on sexuality, parenting, and life skills to younger males and their communities.
The young men working on this project will be involved in surveying other young males regarding sexuality and parenting issues. This will allow for the tracking of attitudinal and behavioral changes. A professional evaluator will assist with the development of this survey. A formal evaluation of this project, will be conducted by Philliber Research Associates, Inc.
The Father and Family Center will provide the professional expertise and staff necessary to coordinate and implement the project. They will train the Male Parenting Partners and all adults
working on this project. The Father and Family Center will also develop a curriculum for working with young fathers. Planned Parenthood's male educators will provide support services and mentoring for each of the 8 project sites.
The primary target group
will be young men who have fathered children of teen mothers or are in
the role of father to the children of teen mothers. The project will interface
with other programs and agencies in order to focus on males enrolled in
teen parent or school to work programs. The secondary target group is other
young males who will be provided peer education on pregnancy prevention.
PROJECT GOALS
+ To address the needs of young parenting males by improving parenting skills, educationallevels, employment capabilities, and social stability.
+ To increase the young fathers ongoing involvement and support for their children.
+ To reduce repeat pregnancies.
+ To support peer education of young males.
+ To support the males involved in this process with training and technical assistance.
+ To develop regional infrastructures for male involvement in New Mexico in order to provide networks for young males and families.
The NMTPC Male Involvement Committee is playing an active role in the development and implementation of the YOUNG FATHERS PROJECT.
This project is being funded by a grant from the US Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Population Affairs and comes through the New Mexico Department of Health, Public Health Division,
---Dave Breault, M.S.W.,
NMTPC Board Member and Male Involvement Committee Chair
NMTPC
Board of Directors
President
Karen
Hensley Ford
Estancia
Northeast Vice President
LaNell
Lindsey Leatherwood
Clovis
Southern Vice President
Chris
Jameson
Las Cruces
Treasurer
Tim Lopez
Albuquerque
Secretary
Kristin
Sharp
Tierra
Amarilla
Past President
John
Stermer
Las Cruces
Board Members
Gail AguiIar, San Felipe
David Breault, Albuquerque
Marc Davidson Albuquerque
Bernadette Jojola, Isleta
Naomi Kistin, Albuquerque
Alicia Moreno, Bayard
Robert Pacheco, Albuquerque
Mary Potter, Clovis
Mary Raje, San Fidel
TC Shaffer, Farmington
Executive Director
Laine Renfro Sedillo
Newsletter Editor
Linda Phillips Lehrer
From the Desk of Your President
Karen Hensley Ford
NMTPC is marching steadfastly ahead! At the fall retreat in Santa Fe, the Board of Directors assembled a list and I was amazed at the accomplishments we are striding through, setting the "gold" standard.
As fate should have it, the statewide GRADS Programs are now under the auspices of NMTPC. Philliber Research Associates released nationally ground-breaking statistics on New Mexico's teen parent programs proving the efficacy of these efforts. Dr. Philliber often says, "nothing has happened unless it's been effectively documented", well. we have the documentation. It is also very exciting that we have secured funding to begin evaluation of "Baby Think it Over." Are these dolls indeed effective; and in what ways can they be used for optimal effectiveness? As if that weren't enough, we now document children from teen pregnancies into kindergarten and first grade to determine if these children are at, above or below grade level, and indeed am better off. NMTPC continues to shake the ground in teen pregnancy and parenting as the organization that has the facts, or is seeking the facts.
From the time I have been involved, we have grown from a mere advisory committee to a powerful statewide force, with a numerous grants and projects with a proven track record of accuracy. How could we err, with recently accomplished assets such as Dave Breault's Young Fathers Program Mary Raje conjuring the Welfare Roundtable, and Robert Pacheco conducting the Hispanic Focus Group with Mario Otero? NMTPC continues in political advocacy with, a tough watch-dog attitude fostering information from national, state and local levels reflected in consistent training.
You, our membership, have provided me with a fully active, geographically diverse Board of Directors who are individually committed to this 'gutsy" organization. I sit in lauded glory at the national conference. making all that I do seem impressive and grand! While it is you, our membership, our staff, and your Board of Directors who sit in the trenches and do all the work!
On that fateful day when I attended my first Resource Committee meeting and met so many wonderful and committed people, little did I know of the adventure that awaited me. As I look back over these formative years, NMTPC has expanded, and I too have grown deeply. I have learned so very much, from some of the most wonderful and dedicated people in all my life.
In looking back, I am stirred to awe...a quiet reverence...
But mostly... a profound
sense of humility.
Hispanic Focus Group Held in Albuquerque
On January 15, the NMTPC Resource Committee hosted a Focus Group to explore the issues surrounding the disproportionate birth rates to Hispanic teens. According to the NM Department of Health, Vital Statistics Bureau, in 1996, Hispanic girls made up 44% of the female teen population of New Mexico, however, they delivered 64% of the babies to teens statewide.
Twenty-five people, including five teens, representing various Hispanic professional, education, and business groups in the state, were invited to provide input to NMTPC. It was acknowledged that the term "Hispanic" is not the only appropriate designation, and that Chicano" and "Latino" are preferred by many individuals.
One of the most important comments made was that teen pregnancy is not really an ethnic issue, but rather related to"systems break down'. If root causes (like poverty and lack of school success) are addressed for all, regardless of the ethnicity of the youth, then teen pregnancy rates in the affected populations should fall. It was pointed out that curricula and programs developed to encompass the values and needs of specific cultures has helped other ethnic groups to reduce teen birth rates.
The following suggestions
for action were made to reduce pregnancy in Hispanic teens:
Cultural Influences and
Teen Pregnancy: An Hispanic Perspective
March 26, 1999 1-3 p.m.
Los Griegos Community Center
1231 Candelaria NW
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Cultural Influences and
Teen Pregnancy: An Hispanic Perspective
Las Cruces
Time and Place to be announced
Call for more information
244-9297
The NMTPC Resource Committee holds Round Table Discussions on various topics of interest that relate to teen pregnancy. In the past those topics have included Male Involvement, Military Issues, Welfare Reform, Religious Community Involvement. and Hispanic Community Issues. These conversations ore opportunities to share knowledge and perspective and to explore a problem with other concerned people.
During the October Round Table on Welfare Reform, an important two-way conversation took place between representatives from the Human Services Department, people who work with teen parents, and several teen parents. Everyone learned and benefitted from he opportunity to both talk and listen.
The NMTPC Resource Committee will continue to follow the important issue of welfare reform as it impacts teen pregnancy and parenting.
If you have a suggestion for a future Round Table Discussion, contact Mary Raje at 552-6738 or raje@flash.net.
--Mary Raje, NMTPC Resource
Committee Chair
Announcing...
The
NMTPC YOUTH PROJECT Fund
Purpose: To encourage students to become involved in efforts to reduce teen pregnancy.
NMTPC wants to tap into the
energy and creativity of our youth and support them in their efforts to
reduce teen pregnancy because:
The first YOUTH PROJECT Fund grant was made to a peer education group at Hatch Valley High School --they used their grant to create a video called "0' Baby". This video is based on a day in the life of a teen mom and is used by the peer educators (including the teen mom!) as a teaching tool with other students.
If your school, club or organization is involved in a project dealing with the issues surrounding teen pregnancy prevention and would like to apply for a grant of up to $1000, please contact NMTPC at 244-9297. Application instructions and criteria will be sent to you.
This fund is primarily supported from the proceeds of the NMTPC Annual Conference Silent Auction. Other contributions are also gratefully accepted.
You can get a copy of O' Baby for $10. Call NMTPC, 244-9297.
--John Stermer, YOUTH
PROJECT Committee Chair
NMTPC Scholarships Available
Application forms are now available for New Mexico Teen Pregnancy Coalition Scholarships There are two categories of scholarships available, 1) pregnant or parenting teens (male or female) and 2) students who have been actively involved in strategies for the prevention of teen pregnancy. Male and female high school seniors who plan to pursue a college or post secondary education are invited to apply.
Scholarship are made in the amount of $500.
To receive an application,
please call our office at 244-9297 and leave your name, address, and phone
number. The deadline for returning completed applications is April 16,
1999.
NM Teen Parent Residences - A National Model
The New Mexico Teen, Parent Residences have been recognized by Congress as a national model for Second Chance Homes". The NM Department of Children Youth and Families opened the first residence in 1990; today there are six residences serving 46 girls in the communities of Clovis, Portales, Las Cruces, Silver City. Grants, and Albuquerque, The Clovis program is multi-generational and serves 8 teens and 8 seniors through planned inter-generational activities.
In all programs, the young mothers are required to continue their education and develop job skills. All residents learn life skills (especially budgeting), parenting, and child development. Twenty-four hour supervision is pro~vided along with counseling and support for learning to keep a clean and healthy home for their child. The teenagers all pay rent (either from Their TANF grant or from their jobs) and learn to budget the rest to meet their needs. Some residents stay for only a few months; others for over two years.
In the past four years, the programs have served 400 girls with only three of the girls having a repeat ,pregnancy while in the program. Many of the girls are involved in the juvenile justice system when they enter the program or have had legal custody of their child removed by the State. During their stay at the residence, most regain custody and finish high school or get a GED. Many also go on to a post secondary education.
About 1/4 of the funding for the Teen Parent Residences come from the New Mexico general fund, through the Children, Youth, and Families Department. The remainder of the necessary support comes from a coordinated effort made by service providers in the individual community.
For more information, contact
Barbara Otto, CYFD, Director of Teen Parent Services at 841-2973. Hats
off to Barbara for a terrific program!
Artesia Teens Speak Out
The following letter to the editor was published by the Artesia newspaper as part of a teen pregnancy prevention project of the FFA (Future Farmers of America), Spring,1998.
To the Editor:
We, the Artesia Greenhand Parliamentary Procedure Team, are writing to inform the Artesian public about a growing crisis in our country.
Many don't consider it to be a crisis, but teenage pregnancy is. Drugs might he more important to many people but did you know that over 1 million teenage girls become pregnant every year. Here in New Mexico the birth rate to teens is 20 percent higher than the national average.
Seven out of 10 teen mothers drop oat of high school before graduating.
Maybe these facts do not bother our society but they scare the thunder out of us. In addition, the financial responsibility to the mothers and even taxpayers s enormous, The gross annual costs to society of adolescent childbearing and the entire web of social problems that confront adolescent moms ultimately lead to the poorer and sometimes devastating outcomes for their kids is calculated to be $29 billion.
The health-services for children of adolescent mothers cost taxpayers $6.9 billion each year. Some teenage girls ignore these facts saying my boyfriend will help me pay for the child's care or we'll get by, but think about it for a little while. Is it really fair to the kids?
We believe the answer is no. Children of adolescent mothers do less well in school and are far more likely to drop out.
An estimated five percent of children born to adolescent mothers end up in foster care. Children of adolescent moms are more likely to be physically abused, abandoned, or neglected.
To us the odds aren't all that great, we believe that teenage girls should delay sexual contact till their 20s or at least take birth control. So far teenage girls have been hit pretty hard by critics but the fathers and guys have responsibility too.
To the male population, these stats are horrifying. The young men of our society need to delay sexual contact until they can financially support a baby and its mother. In addition, they need to quit harassing young girls into sexual intercourse.
We do not believe that the problem will be solved easily nor quickly. If we unite and work as a team teen pregnancy will lower.
Most Sincerely,
The Artesia FFA Greenhand
Parliamentary Procedure Team
Teen Sex Survey Available for Use
If you are interested in the youth in your area regarding sexual activity and attitudes, but don't have a tool to use, we have a solution for you. A Farmington area group called Teens Advocating for Sexual Abstinence (TASA) created and utilized a 30 question survey expressly for this purpose. The information gathered from this survey has been extremely helpful to the adults and young people who work with youth. They are now able to design programs and interventions based on the realities of life for their youth.
The survey collects data on gender, age, and family situation. It also asks questions about where sex education came from, status of sexual activity, age at first sex, was it consensual, was birth control used, drug and alcohol use, etc.
TC Shaffer is an NMTPC Board Member and also the MCH Coordinator for San Juan County. His wife Sharon Klausmeyer facilitates and mentors the TASA groups in the Farmington area. If you would like a copy of the survey, call TC directly. If you decide to use the survey. TC can make it available to you on disc so that only small modifications are necessary to personalize it for your area.
NMTPC requests that you share your survey results with us so that we can compare various communities to see how similar the experiences of our youth are, or are not.
You can reach TC at 325-2124.
Dona Ana County Activities
Just over a year ago, the Las Cruces Memorial Medical Center Foundation expanded ~its mission and became actively involved in encouraging healthier communities initiatives. The Memorial Medical Center (MMC) was already involved in teen pregnancy issues since it pro'~ded prenatal care and delivery services to most of the teens in the area-- but they were also interested in the 'bigger picture' A group of diverse people from schools and community organizations began to rest and discuss teen pregnancy in Dona Ana Counts they became the Southern New Mexico Teen Pregnancy Consortium. NMTPC Board Members Chris Jameson and John Stermer are active members of the Consortium and liaison to NMTPC,
The Foundation initiated weekly lunch-time support groups for pregnant and parenting teens at Mayfield and Las Cruces high schools, and after-school groups open to the community. The teens meet with MMC Family Practice Residents, school staff, and sometimes guest presenters. MMC Foundation also buys lunch. The support groups are designed to prevent the teens from dropping out of school and having a repeat pregnancy.
The support groups also allow for additional contact with the MMC medical staff. The Family Practice residents find that the teens are often more relaxed and open in the non-medical setting. And the medical staff have gained empathy for the academic pressures the young people are coping with, This has resulted in better scheduling of medical appointments to avoid interfering with classes as little as possible Residents now encourage new mothers not to take a first period class right after the baby is born (it's too difficult to get the baby and yourself ready to leave the house very early in the morning).
The Foundation also hired a part-time case manager to identify high risk pregnant teens. This initiative came about as the result of a needs assessment survey that MMC took of 100 teen mothers.
Patsy Duran, Executive Director of the MMC Foundation, has been the driving force for these undertakings. For more information, you may contact her at 521-4794.
Bev Hines, active member of the Consortium and Health Services Coordinator for Las Cruces Public School. tells us that LCPS has received Abstinence Only Education funding from the Department of Health to provide classroom instruction at 3 middle schools. To find out more about this project, call Bev at 527-5884.
Congratulations to the Memorial
Medical Center, its Foundation, and everyone in Dona Ana County for your
hard work and commitment!
New NMTPC Publications
NMTPC has just released the following publications based on the research of Philliber Research Associates.
Ten Lessons Learned About New Mexico Teen Pregnancy Prevention Projects is a review of Department of Health funded programs that began in 1995. This report takes a look at the experiences of several teen pregnancy prevention programs for the purpose of learning from their successes and obstacles.
Future Voices: Teen Parents and Their Children in New Mexico summarizes the statewide data that has been collected from teen parent programs. Information about teen mothers and their babies was collected and analyzed from 40 New Mexico programs. (This publication is being made available to you as an insert to this newsletter.)
Both publications are available
to you at no cost, please call NMTPC for copies. They will soon be available
on the NMTPC web site.
Teen Parent Conference:
A Conference Designed By and For Pregnant and Parenting Teens
Where: ENMU Ballroom
Portales, New Mexico
Date: March 18, 1999
Time: 10 AM-2PM
Who: Pregnant & parenting
teens
To register, call NMTPC 244-9297
Funded by the New Mexico
Department of Education, Vocational and Adult Education and the New Mexico
Department of Health,
Public Health Division.
FYI...
Congratulations!
New Mexico's own Carol Mendez Cassell, Ph.D., has been named as the new Director of Teen Pregnancy Prevention Programs for the Center for Disease Control(CDC)in Atlanta. Carol has been with CDC as a visiting scientist since l996. NMTPC is fortunate to have her support and guidance in many of our endeavors. She has been a presenter at many of our conferences and we hope to continue to lure her back to New Mexico on a regular basis.
Abstinence Funding...
The NM Department of Health has awarded Abstinence Only Education funding to 14 programs. We'll be reporting on these efforts in future newsletters. Congratulations to:
APS Rio Grande Cluster -AlbuquerqueCobre
Consolidated Schools
Las Cruces Public Schools
San Jon Consolidated Schools
-Santa Rosa
Santa Fe Public Schools
San Juan TASA - Farmington
Socorro Maternal & Child
Health
Service Organization for
Youth- Raton
Community Service Center
- Portales
West Las Vegas Schools
Hope Pregnancy Center -
Los Alamos
Albuquerque Pregnancy Center
Sierra County MCH - T or
C
Griffin & Associates
(Media campaign)
For more information contact,
Marie DiBianco-Eik, Abstinence Only Education Coordinator/Department of
Health at 827-1630.
Membership Reminder
All NMTPC memberships run
from January to December 30. Have you paid your 1999 membership? Here are
just a few benefits of becoming an NMTPC member:
Membership fees are as
follows: full time student $10, Individual $25, Organization $50.
Lifetime Membership $150. Call the NMTPC office for further information,
244-9297. Please see the on-line NMTPC
membership form.
Important Publication
The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy has published a 32 page publication called While the Adults Are Arguing The Teens Are Getting Pregnant. If your community needs some ideas about how to overcome the conflict about how to prevent teen pregnancy, this book is for you. The cost is $10.00 each (plus 5% shipping). Contact the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, Department #6021, Washington, DC 20042-602l,
or e-mail campaign@teenpregnancy.org
or web www.teenpregnancy.org
AC. Green Coming to Socorro
AC Green of the Phoenix Suns
will be speaking to youth about the importance of abstinence. This free
presentation will take place on June 5, 1999 and is sponsored by the Socorro
General Hospital Maternal and Child Health Council. For more information,
contact Brenda at 835-8709. All youth are welcome!
It's Free
A new and free 16-page booklet contains excerpts from Books, Babies and School-Age Parents: How to Teach Pregnant and Parenting Teens to Succeed, by Jeanne Lindsay and Sharon Enright. This booklet could be a convincing handout for school board members and others who may need some coaching in order to increase support of teen parent programs. Permission is granted to reproduce sections for community education purposes. The booklet will also give you a preview of the full publication and help you decide if the book would be useful to you.
For a free copy, contact
Morning Glory Press at l-888-612-8254 or fax 1-888-327-4362.
May is Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month-- Plan Your Activities Now!
IDEAS ... Use Teen Pregnancy
Prevention Month as an excuse to get new partners involved in your work
- like businesses, faith communities, legislators ...Ask religious leaders
to talk about teen pregnancy in their sermons ... Honor people and organizations
who have worked on teen pregnancy prevention .....be creative.
"Is This For Real?"
I thought that he loved me,
I know now I was wrong
In one month I'll deliver,
and now he is gone
Only one more push,
and I'll never be the same
So tiny, so precious
I should be filled with
joy
But now I have to realize
this isn't just a toy
My friends are all out
and partying up a storm
But me, I'm at home
making sure the milk is
warm
No one will really understand
the
hurt that I now feel
I'm left to wonder all ALONE
my God, "Is this for real?"
by Heather Brennan
taken from SEX, etc..
A Newsletter by Teens, for Teens, Network for Family Life Education, Rutgers
University, New Jersey