CARE is Here for You!
Greetings readers!
This month is the National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month. In Arizona, there are organizations that serve teens with programs and supportive measures with the focus on promoting healthy relationships and decision-making skills for teens.
Organizations have created easily accessible ways to continue supporting the community to serve youth, parents, and families via text, phone calls, and video chat. Youths that participate in Teen Pregnancy Prevention Programs learn about the importance of communicating with parents or a trusted adult, learn about risk factors and preventative measures, how to critically think about their actions, and consequences.
According to the CDC, in 2017, babies born to women aged 15 – 19 years were at a rate of 18.8%, a lower record to that of 2016 by 7%. Birth rates fell 10% for women aged 15–17 years and 6% for women aged 18–19 years.1 In 2017, the birth rates of Hispanic teens (28.9) and non-Hispanic black teens (27.5) were more than two times higher than the rate for non-Hispanic white teens (13.2).2 Teen pregnancy increases the risk of high school dropout rates among girls with 50% graduating from high school,3 have an increase in financial uncertainty with socioeconomic disparities,4 and affects the youth’s and child’s physical and mental health.5
Even though the national rate has been declining, we must continue the discussion of the importance of prevention. This month CARE partnered with Fresh Start Women’s Foundation. They provide free services for girls 11-17 through the Girl’s Thriving Program through education, support, and resources to empower women. Their services for women 18+ years focus on personal, professional, and financial development. For more information, view their video by clicking here. We also encourage you to visit their website at freshstartwomen.org or call 602-252-8494.
For more information on services to parents and caretakers from the Department of Child Support Services (DCSS), click here.
If you or someone you know is a pregnant teen who needs assistance, contact Arizona Youth Partnership by calling 877-882-2881
For help and information on choosing a childcare program, visit Arizona Child Care Resource and Referral at https://www.azccrr.com/
If you would like more information and resources on healthy relationships and birth control to help you make informed decisions and live your best life, visit https://powertodecide.org/teen-talk
For more information on this please visit the below Websites:
- https://www.cdc.gov/teenpregnancy/about/index.htm
- Martin JA, Hamilton BE, Osterman MJK, Driscoll AK, Drake P. Births: Final Data for 2017. National vital statistics reports : from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, National Vital Statistics System Cdc-pdf[988KB]. 2018;67(8):1-50.
- Perper K, Peterson K, Manlove J. Diploma Attainment Among Teen Mothers. Child Trends, Fact Sheet Publication #2010-01: Washington, DC: Child Trends; 2010.
- https://www.cdc.gov/teenpregnancy/about/social-determinants-disparities-teen-pregnancy.htm
- Hodgkinson S, Beers L, Southammakosane C, Lewin A. Addressing the mental health needs of pregnant and parenting adolescents. Pediatrics. 2014;133:114–22
