North Carolina is experiencing a tremendous growth in the Hispanic/Latino population. Nationally, this population has the highest teen birth rate of any group, and although the rate is gradually declining nation-wide, it is falling at only about half the rate as that of non-Hispanic black and non-Hispanic white teens. In 16 states, including North Carolina, the rate of Latina births has actually increased. APPCNC and local program providers have begun to address this issue by promoting and implementing programs specifically designed for Hispanic/Latino
teens.
On October 9th, 2008 The Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Campaign of North Carolina (APPCNC) will convene a one-day symposium on effective practices in teen pregnancy prevention programming for Hispanic/Latino youth. The symposium will be held at The Friday Center in Chapel Hill.
The symposium focuses on helping health providers and educators increase knowledge of Hispanic culture and Hispanic health and learn from the experiences of those who are implementing and studying successful programs for Latino youth in North Carolina and other areas of the US.
Speakers will include
Dr. Vincent Guilamo-Ramos, Associate Professor at Columbia University School of Social Work and contributing author to The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy
" Parent-Adolescent Communication about Sex in Latino Families"; Martica Bacallao Assistant Professor at UNC Greensboro and
Paul Smokowski Ph. D. Assistant Professor at UNC Chapel Hill,
" Entre Dos Mundos/Between Two Worlds: A Prevention Program for Latino Families" ;
Maria Soto and Hugo Gallegos, Hablando Claro Program Coordinators in Chatham Co. with a panel of parent participants speaking of their experience in the program over three years and other experts in the field of teen pregnancy prevention for Latino youth.
Prevention program providers, healthcare providers, school personnel, public and private agency directors, and policy makers will benefit from lessons learned in other parts of the country in the design and implementation of effective teen pregnancy prevention program for Hispanic/Latino youth and their families.
Those interested in attending the Symposium should consult APPCNC's website at
www.appcnc.org . The final date for registration is October 2nd. For further information or questions, contact Olivia Davis at (919) 226-1880 ex.103.
About the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Campaign of North Carolina:
APPCNC is a non-profit organization that partners with individuals, agencies, and communities in North Carolina to prevent teen pregnancy, thereby improving the lives of young people. APPCNC has been recognized nationally for its innovative work in the area of teen pregnancy prevention and provides services in all 100 North Carolina counties through Advocacy, Collaboration and Education. APPCNC can be contacted at (919) 226-1880.
