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Upcoming Workshops
Date: January 16
Location: Mary Black Foundation, Spartanburg, SC
Fee: Contact the Campaign for details
Intended Audience: General Audience
Overview: The tool to Assess the Characteristics (TAC) was designed by Healthy Teen Network and ETR Associates, with input from the South Carolina Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, to assist practitioners to assess the probable effectiveness of a curriculum or program and
adapt a curriculum to the needs and characteristics of a particular community.
For more information or to register for this training please contact the SC Campaign Education Department at (803) 771-7700.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Becoming Indispensible: A Training on Program Sustainability
Date: January 22
Location: SC Campaign, Columbia, SC
Fee: $25
Intended Audience: Directors, Managers, Board Members, Key Staff Members
Overview: We'll focus on creating the optimal conditions for your organization's programs and projects to continue beyond the life of their original funding. In short, to become a sustainable, integral part of the services regularly offered by your organization.
To register for this workshop, click here. |
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Teen Birth Rate Increases Nationally and in SC
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The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) released final 2006 teen birth data confirming data released in 2007 that after 14 years of successful declines, the teen birth rate in South Carolina has increased. NCHS reported that a total of 26 states had a significant increase in their teen birth rate between 2005 and 2006 and only three states and the District of Columbia had significant decreases. South Carolina has the 13th highest teen birth rate in the country, with Mississippi ranking the highest and New Hampshire the lowest.
"This report confirms what we have been fearful of for some time. Our lack of continued investment in young people is beginning to catch up to us," said Forrest Alton, Executive Director of the SC Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. "It's not fair to point to any one issue as the cause for this increase, but we do know that our teens are living in a sex-saturated society and in many cases have a lack of education when it comes to love, sex, and relationships. We also know that in economic times like we are experiencing it becomes increasingly more difficult for teens to access programs and services. This report gives us all a chance to refocus our efforts and encourage our policymakers and school board officials to support our state's young people through a sustained investment in research-proven prevention approaches."
Click here for the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy.
Click here to view the full report. |
The BUZZ- It's a Boy for the Palin Family
The former vice-presidential candidate and governor of Alaska has issued an official statement about the birth of her first grandchild, Tripp Easton Mitchell Johnston. Daughter Bristol Palin, 18, and Bristol's fiancé, Levi Johnston, welcomed a son on Dec. 27. "We are over the moon with the arrival of this healthy, beautiful baby," says Palin.
Read more about the governor's new family. |
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Virginity Pledges Proven Ineffective 
A new study suggests that teens who pledge to remain virgins until marriage are just as likely to have premarital sex as those who do not promise abstinence and are significantly less likely to use condoms and other forms of birth control when they do.
Forrest Alton, Executive Director of the SC Campaign, said this in response: "The new research on virginity pledges is quite telling. Clearly we do not have the time or the resources to continue investing in prevention programs that don't work. The South Carolina Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy believes strongly in abstinence as the first and best choice for all young people, but the current investment in abstinence-only-until-marriage programs is not getting us any closer to that goal. To be effective, preventing teen pregnancy will require a greater investment in programs that are successful increasing the number of young people who delay sexual activity and increasing the number of sexually active youth who use contraception."
Click here to read full article from the Washington Post. |
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Executive Director and Board Member named to "20 under 40 Class of 2009"
Forrest Alton, Executive Director of the SC Campaign to Prevent Pregnancy, and Rozalynn Goodwin, a member of the SC Campaign's Board of Directors, have made the Columbia Business Journal's 20 under 40 Class of 2009. For the past six years the state has highlighted some of the regions best and brightest under the age of 40. This remarkable group of young leaders consists of lawyers, accountants, salesmen, department heads and politicians. This year the SC Campaign is pleased to have two of our very own make the list. Please join us in congratulating Forrest and Rozalynn!
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Wine for Charity Save the date for Wednesday, January 21. Mr. Friendly's, a restaurant in the Five Points area of Columbia, is hosting a Wine for Charity night that will benefit the SC Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. A portion of their wine proceeds from the night will go to our organization. Please invite your friends and family to attend and help us spread the word. You can dine anytime between 5:30 - 10:00 pm. Hope to see you there!
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There's Still Time to Purchase a Chair
Happy New Year! We hope you enjoyed a festive Holiday season with your family and friends. December was a busy month for the SC Campaign as we launched a Chair-a-Thon for our new, state-of-the-art training facility. To date, we have reached almost 60% of our goal, but still have 40 chairs remaining. One of those could be yours! If you are interested in purchasing a chair and having your name or business featured on our wall of fame please click here to donate online or send your donation of $250 or more to SCCTPTP, 1331 Elmwood Avenue, Suite 140, Columbia, SC 29201.
Your gift will allow us to offer trainings in both traditional and non-traditional formats and will afford us the opportunity to pass on a huge cost savings to our participants (most often staff at small not-for-profits) through reduced training fees. The SC Campaign stands ready to reinvest and refocus our efforts for the state's young people in 2009. Won't you join us? |
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Attention Teen Reproductive Health Clinicians Are the materials in your waiting rooms outdated? Are you looking for new ways to reach the young people who visit your teen health centers/clinics? Could you use some pamphlets for parents, other providers, your staff, and/or community partners that also work with the teens that you serve? Check out the links below for the latest brochures, posters, and handouts!
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CDC 2008 Compendium Available Online
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released online the 2008 Compendium of Evidence-based HIV Prevention Interventions. The 2008 Compendium,which includes 8 additional evidence-based behavioral interventions (EBIs) that have been scientifically proven to significantly reduce HIV risk; bringing the total to 57 EBIs identified and included in the 2008 Compendium.
As many of you know, the 2008 Compendium is central to HIV prevention practice because it is a single source of information regarding interventions that represent the strongest behavioral HIV interventions in the literature to date that have been rigorously evaluated and have demonstrated efficacy in reducing HIV or STD incidence or HIV-related risk behaviors or promoting safer behaviors.
Click here to read the 2008 Compendium. |
New Female Condom backed by FDA Advisers
A potentially less-costly version of Female Health Company's condom for women has won unanimous backing from a Food and Drug Administration advisory panel.
A lower price could attract more users and allow health organizations to distribute more of the condoms to help stem the spread of the virus that causes AIDS, the panel heard. The new version is also quieter, with panelists saying the new, softer material could win over more American women. Click here for full article. |
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Research Corner
Handbook for Nonprofit Organizations
New online booklet, Effective Advocacy at All Levels of Government, is designed to prepare nonprofit organizations for engaging in advocacy by exploring the following elements: generalized processes and principles of how to influence public policy;guiding questions that will help translate an understanding of general principles into appropriate strategies; case stories and sample advocacy plans.
2006 Teen Birth Data Released
The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) released final 2006 teen birth data which confirmed a 3% increase in the national teen birth rate, a figure first reported in December 2007 based on preliminary analyses. The increase between 2005 and 2006 is the first increase in the U.S. teen birth rate after 14 years of steady decline. In addition, NCHS reported that 26 states had a statistically significant increase in their teen birth rate between 2005 and 2006 and only three states and the District of Columbia had significant decreases.
Click here for more resources.
Majority of Adolescents, Young Adult Women Unaware of Intrauterine DevicesA survey in the September 2008 issue of Contraception analyzes knowledge of intrauterine devices among young women ages 14 to 24. The survey also examines the effect an educational discussion on IUDs has on women's attitudes about IUDs. Click here to access the abstract. |
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Workshop Opportunities
Public Health Leadersip
A free webinar is being offered on Tuesday, January 27 from 10:00am - 4:30pm titled Public Health Leadership: To Improve the Health of Young People. This symposium will explore the issue of public health leadership as it applies to the complexity of youth health. The event will provide concrete tools and strategies to public health officials and emerging leaders, and motivate them to face the challenges of improving the health of young people. Click here for more information. Association of Maternal and Child Health Program 2009 Annual Conference
Online registration is now open for the Association of Maternal and Child Health Program 2009 Annual Conference. This year's program will be "Launching Maternal & Child Heath: Opportunities for a New Era."
Date(s):February 21-25
Location:Washington, DC.
Click here to learn more and to register.
Wise Guys National Training
The Wise Guys Program is an award-winning adolescent pregnancy prevention program for young men between the ages of 11 and 17. The curriculum and program are designed to promote sexual responsibility in young males. This training is designed for those who would like to develop and implement prevention programs for males on adolescent pregnancy, HIV/AIDS and STI's, and/or supervise adolescent males, such as educators, health care workers, mentors, coaches, and counselors. Enrollment is limited and advance registration is required.
Date(s):April 2-3
Location: Myrtle Beach, SC.
Click here for more information and to register.
Wise Guys Webinar
The Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs cordially invites you to participate in our second Adolescent Health Information Series Webinar featuring Rick Brown, Director of the Family Life Council of Greater Greensboro's Wise Guys Program.
Date: January 22 from 1:30PM to 3:00PM EST.
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In the News
Shaping Good Health
Associated Press - Ever watched a teen sulk in the corner of a toddler-packed pediatrician's waiting room, obviously wishing to be anywhere else?
Adolescents aren't just big kids, and too many start falling through cracks in the health care system when they pass the stage of preschool shots and summer camp checkups - what a major new report calls missed opportunities to shape the next generation's well-being.
Click here for full article.
Mississippi Now has Highest Teen Birth Rate
MSNBC - Mississippi now has the nation's highest teen birth rate, displacing Texas and New Mexico for that lamentable title, a new federal report says.
Mississippi's rate was more than 60 percent higher than the national average in 2006, according to new state statistics released Wednesday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The teen birth rate for that year in Texas and New Mexico was more than 50 percent higher.
Click here for full article.
Bristol Palin Goes on the Record- teen pregnancy "not ideal"
CNN - Bristol Palin, the teenage daughter of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, is going on the record about the recent birth of her son, Tripp Easton Mitchell Johnston. In a statement posted on the Alaska governor's Website, Bristol says the pregnancy was "not ideal," but is thankful to have a family who supported her.
Click here for full article
A Rise in Efforts to Spot Abuse in Youth Dating
NY Times - She was 17 when she met her boyfriend, and 20 when she died at his hands. In between, Heather Norris tried several times to leave the relationship, which was fraught with control and abuse, before she was killed - stabbed, dismembered and discarded in trash bags.
Click here for full article. |
Grants Available
Funds for Grassroots Women's Projects
The Open Meadows Foundation supports projects nationwide that are led by and benefit women and girls, particularly those from vulnerable communities. Specifically, the Foundation supports projects that are designed and implemented by women and girls; reflect the diversity of the community served by the project; promote building community power; and encourage racial, social, economic, and environmental justice. Priority is given to organizations that have limited financial access or have encountered obstacles in their search for funding. The Foundation provides grants of up to $2,000 to cover start-up expenses or to support ongoing projects. Funding guidelines and application instructions are available on the Foundation's website.
Deadline: February 15
Learn more about Open Meadows Foundation.
American Advertising Federation
The American Advertising Federation (AAF) of the Midlands has announced they are accepting applications from nonprofit organizations to become the club's public service client for 2009. Each year, AAF of the Midlands selects a nonprofit organization in our community and assists them with their marketing and advertising needs. To qualify, applicants must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Richland or Lexington County.
Deadline: January 19
National Education Association Foundation Learning and Leadership
These grants support high-quality professional development opportunities, such as summer institutes, action research, collegial study, lesson study and mentoring for pre-K-12 teachers, education support professionals and higher education faculty and staff, all of whom must be practicing in U.S. public schools.
Deadlines: February 1 & June 1
Click here for more information.
Point Foundation Offers Higher Education Scholarships for Gay and Lesbian Students
Point Foundation, a scholarship-granting organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students of merit, has announced the opening of its 2009 application season. Students who will be enrolled in undergraduate or graduate programs for the 2009-10 school year are eligible to apply for the multi-year scholarships. Deadline: February 9 Click here for more information.
Rubbermaid: Community Investment Grants
Rubbermaid grants propose to strengthen communities by investing in programs that matter to their employees and enrich the lives of their consumers, from childhood to adulthood.
Deadline: Rolling
Click here for more information. |
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Website of the Week:
Vaccinate Early. Pap Test Regularly.
January is Cervical Cancer Screening Month. For more information, visit the National Cervical Cancer Public Education Campaign's website for easy to understand information on cervical cancer and HPV, including powerpoints, resources, and finding a physician. Click here to check out this website. |
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DHEC WORKSHOPS & INFO  Cicatelli Associates, Inc., the new Title X Regional Training Center for Region IV, along with SC DHEC's Family Planning Program, is pleased to sponsor a Statewide Satellite Broadcast Training presented by Forrest Alton, MSPH, CHES, and Erin Johnson, MPH, CHES, on Adolescent Sexuality.
Date: January 16, 2009
Time: 9:15 am - 11:40 pm
Satellite Channel: 7
Location(s): Peeples Auditorium in Columbia or other DHEC Satellite Site Locations Statewide
Registration Fee: None
Cicatelli Associates, Inc. will also sponsor a statewide Satellite Broadcast Training presented by Dr. Leigh Beasley on "Contraceptive Technology Update."
Date: February 27, 2009
Time: 9:15 am - 12:30 pm
Satellite Channel: 7
Location(s): Peeples Auditorium in Columbia or at other DHEC Satellite Site Locations Statewide
Registration Fee: None For more information on both of these trainings, including how to register, please contact Susan Dillard-Hamilton at dillarsm@dhec.sc.gov. |
Preterm Births Rise 36 Percent Since Early 1980s
Late Preterm Infants Drive the Increase
New government statistics confirm that the decades-long rise in the United States preterm birth rate continues, putting more infants than ever at increased risk of death and disability.
Nearly 543,000 babies were born too soon in 2006, according to the National Center for Health Statistics, which released "Births: Final Data for 2006," National Vital Statistics Reports; Vol. 57, No. 7 on January 7. The nation's preterm birth rate (birth before 37 completed weeks gestation) rose to 12.8 percent in 2006 -- that's a 36 percent increase since the early 1980s.
The report attributed much of the increase to the growing number of late preterm infants (those born at 34 to 36 weeks gestation), which increased 25 percent since 1990. The report also noted an increase in preterm births to Hispanic women, while rates were unchanged for non-Hispanic whites and blacks. However, black women continue to have the highest preterm birth rate, at 18.5 percent.
"We are committed to raising public awareness about premature birth, and we believe there are concrete steps we can take to solve this problem, including ensuring that all women of childbearing age have access to health insurance and expanding our nation's investment in research into the causes and strategies to prevent preterm birth," stated Dr. Howse, President of the March of Dimes.
For the latest resources and information visit www.marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org. | |
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