Youth Programs That Work – Preventing Teen Pregnancy
Not every youth program or product that is promoted to prevent teen pregnancy actually works.  Scare tactics don’t work.  And there is no evidence that requiring teen girls to carry around a doll that cries will reduce rates of teen pregnancy.  Researchers have identified common characteristics of youth curricula and programs that do reduce teen pregnancy. According to the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, effective curricula and programs: 

• have a clear message that not having sex and/or using protection and contraception is the right thing to do;

• last a sufficient length of time (more than a few weeks); 

• select leaders who believe in the program and provide them with adequate training; 

• actively engage youth and have them personalize the information; 

• address peer pressure; 

• teach communication skills; 

• reflect the age, sexual experience and culture of young people in the program.

The Rochester City District uses the high school health curriculum Reducing the Risk, ETR Associates.  The Metro Council for Teen Potential has identified two national youth curricula that are well suited to meet the needs of Rochester youth in community based programs.  These two curricula are Teen Outreach Program and Wise Guys.

The Teen Outreach Program Curriculum
The Teen Outreach Program is a nationally renowned youth development approach proven effective in increasing school success and preventing teen pregnancy. The program is grounded in contemporary research and theory regarding the developmental, social and educational needs of young people, ages 12 to 17. Teen Outreach is ideally suited to after school programs for middle and high school youth.

Wyman Center, Inc. (www.wymancenter.org) supports the national replication of the Teen Outreach program and approach. (Wyman Center can also be contacted at (636) 938-5245, x236; 600 Kiwanis Drive, Eureka, MO 63025.)

The Metro Council for Teen Potential provides on site staff training in the Teen Outreach model in Rochester, New York. For more information, contact Le Andrew Wingo at (585) 325-8123; or lwingo@yahoo.com.

Teen Outreach has been evaluated by Philliber Research Associates and by the University of Virginia. Consistently, TOP has shown dramatic positive results. TOP participants, randomly assigned, evidenced greater academic achievement, lowered drop out rates and lowered incidences of teen pregnancy—by factors as high as 40%—when compared to youth with similar backgrounds and profiles who did not participate in the program. The Teen Outreach program employs a two-part strategy of community service and small group discussion. The program brings youth together with their peers in discussions facilitated by a trained adult; to talk about school, family, friends, relationships, sex, ambitions, their community, and other topics. The curriculum sets out over 300 interactive exercises that help youth develop life skills, including communication, decision-making, job readiness, and goal setting.

Community service work is a core component of the Teen Outreach Program. Young people work together to design, carry out, and then reflect on individual and team service projects. These experiences help youth develop confidence in their own abilities and a greater connection to their communities. At the same time, youth learn concrete skills, including information gathering, team work, problem solving, negotiation and evaluation.

The Teen Outreach Program is designed for youth ages 12 to 17. The curriculum has four levels: ages 12 and 13 (level one); age 14 (level two); age 15 (level three) and age 17 (level four). The program can be used to strengthen and supplement other youth programs including youth drama programs, arts programs, sports and step teams. Life skills curriculum can be provided during the day, and the community service can be done after school.

MCTP provides staff training in the use of the curriculum; and individual staff coaching to help improve their group facilitation skills. In Rochester, the program has been implemented by Charles Street Settlement, Hillside Work Scholarship, SPCC, Cameron Community Ministries, and other groups.

Wise Guys
The Wise Guys program is nationally-recognized curriculum for young men (ages 11 to 17) that teaches male responsibility and prevents teen pregnancy.  The Family Life Council supports the national replication of Wise Guys.  Contact them at 301 E. Washington Street, Suite 204, Greensboro, NC, 27401; (336) 333-6890 or email: wiseguys@flcgso.com.

In twelve sessions, a trained facilitator guides a group of young men to reflect on themselves and their values.  The curriculum teaches communication skills and information about sexuality, abstinence, contraception, dating violence, and STDs.  Wise Guys helps young men to set goals for themselves, make better decisions, and understand the responsibilities of fatherhood. 

Wise Guys has been evaluated for over ten years.  From program entry to six month follow-up, Wise Guys students show:

• improved knowledge of sexuality;

• increased communication with parents about sexuality;

• delay in age of first sexual intercourse and

• increased use of contraception.

A second level of Wise Guys is available for young men, ages 18 and older. 

MCTP provides facilitators for youth groups that want to use Wise Guys. MCTP also delivers professional staff training to its organization members in use of the Wise Guys curriculum.  For more information, contact Sheila Driscoll at 325-8130 x210, or sheila_mctp@hotmail.com

Family Talk Parent Workshops
Workshops for Parents Who Want to Know How to Talk to Their Children About Sex, Substance Use and Healthy Relationships

About Family Talk

Family Talk is a workshop series developed by the Family Resource Centers of Crestwood Childrens Center with support from the Metro Council for Teen Potential. An evaluation study by the University of Rochester shows that it really works! After taking the workshops, parents start more conversations with their children, are more comfortable talking about sex and other important topics, and know more about connecting with resources in the community.
(Klein J., Sabaratnam, P. "Evaluation of the Parents as Primary Sexuality Educators Program" Journal of Adolescent Health Supplement, September 2005, Vol. 35 Page S94)

The workshops are offered to the community through funding provided by the Daisy Marquis Jones Foundation.


Family Talk Workshops help parents, grandparents and other adults connect with their children about sex and sexuality, healthy relationships, substance use, and HIV.

Family Talk provides the opportunity to discuss:
• What children need to know at what age
• How parents can effectively share information so children understand it
• How to answer children’s questions

The workshop series uses a curriculum called Parents as Primary Sexuality Educators developed by Family Resource Centers of Rochester; and Keeping Youth Drug Free, produced by the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, SAMHSA.


For Parents of Young Children and Adolescents

The workshop series is recommended for parents of children who are infants – age 14, who want to give their children information and guidance that is appropriate to their age and stage of development.

Family Talk provides:
• Practical suggestions and guidelines to communicate accurate information about sex and sexuality, healthy
relationships, substance use and HIV.
• Encouragement to examine parents’ own values and positive ways to convey values to children.
• Information about how children develop and how they mature sexually through puberty.
• Information about substance use.
• Support for setting limits and engaging children in healthy activities.


Family Talk Workshops

This series of five workshops includes discussion, a video, and practice with communication skills. The facilitators have extensive training in health topics and parenting issues.

When:
Workshops are offered at times and places convenient for parents.

Where:
Workshops are held anywhere parents may gather. Schools, churches, synagogues, support groups, child care centers and other sites can sponsor the workshop series.

Cost:
Family Talk is free to parents who live in the City of Rochester. Workshops are offered outside the City on a fee basis.

To Learn More:
If you are a parent who wants to connect with Family Talk — or — you would like your organization to offer the workshops, please call us.

Here’s what some parents have to say:

"Since I’ve taken the workshops, I will feel much more comfortable in the future discussing sexuality with my children."
Marisol, mother of two pre-school children

"I found it to be a relaxed and informal atmosphere where I could be with others and learn with them."
Lorelei, mother of a five year old

"The workshops made me realize that we must be the ones to talk with our children about sex. It is up to us to teach them."
Ana, mother of two school age children

"These workshops helped me to be a better parent."
Ora, mother of six children


For more information about Family Talk workshops contact:
Family Resource Centers of Crestwood Childrens Center
Phone (585) 436-0370 x312 or e-mail rkraus@hillside.com