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Oregon's Blueprint for Success The new Action Agenda to Reduce Teen Pregnancy is the blueprint for local action. The Action Agenda was created in 1997 and was updated in 2002. The seven strategies are based upon years of research and effort and they unite Oregonians with differing methods and views who all agree that pregnancy and parenthood are not the best life strategy for teens.You can download a copy of the 2002 Action Agenda (PDF) or contact us at (503) 945-5600 for a copy.
Introduction What's acceptable or ignored in a community influences young people's values and norms, and the decisions they make about sexual behaviors.Children who believe they can have a positive future and youth who have family members or key adults with whom they can discuss sexuality and other issues are more likely to make safe decisions about sexual behavior. Young people seek guidance and structure from parents and trusted adults in their lives, even though it may not be apparent. Involvement by positive role models, community members, peers and adults is an essential part of supporting youth in making healthy choices about their future. Goal Communities actively support and promote teens in making healthy choices.Recommended actions
Indicators Among the indicators that reflect the success of this strategy are those measuring the percent of teens never having intercourse, the use of contraceptives, the use of research-based sexuality education curricula in schools, and the state's teen-pregnancy rate.
Introduction This strategy offers local communities a solid framework of information, skills and opportunities needed by youth to enable them to have positive and productive futures. The combination of youth development and comprehensive sexuality education has been found most effective in reducing teen pregnancy. Strategy 2 includes key information and skills related to sexuality, and the tools to build confidence and self-worth among young people in Oregon.An essential element to helping young people make responsible decisions is providing research-based, comprehensive sexuality education. These programs have been found to help families and teens communicate about sexuality, and reduce risky behaviors among youth. Goal Youth in Oregon will possess the skills and knowledge necessary to positively participate in family and other relationships, work, and community.Recommended actions
Indicators Among the indicators that reflect the success of this strategy are those measuring the percentage of teens never having intercourse and the percentage of teachers receiving training in research-based sexuality education.Background information
"Emerging Answers: Research Findings on Programs to Prevent Teen Pregnancy." Kirby, D. The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. 2001. "Reducing the Risk: Connections That Make a Difference in the Lives of Youth." Blum, R.W. and Rinehart, P.M. Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Health, University of Minnesota. 1998.
Introduction This strategy focuses on providing youth with refusal skills, goal setting and positive peer support in an informed, practical way. It supports the growing number of students who are choosing to remain abstinent and recognizes the key role played by parents in the success of these programs.Abstinence programs are designed to help all youth avoid sexual involvement, while encouraging sexually active teens to consider the benefits of abstinence. According to a recent survey from the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, 93 percent of teens say they should be given a strong abstinence message. This affirms Oregon's support of public and private abstinence programs, which are active in schools, youth agencies and other youth venues throughout the state. The skills taught in abstinence education reinforce the skills taught in drug and alcohol prevention courses. This is particularly important in light of research connecting the use of alcohol and drugs with sexual behavior in the adolescent population. Goal Foster a community environment that supports and strengthens young people's decisions to choose abstinence.Recommended actions
Indicators Among the indicators that reflect the success of this strategy are those measuring the extent of STARS training in schools, the percent of teens never having intercourse and the state's teen pregnancy rate.Background information Factors that increase the practice of abstinence include some of the following:
Introduction A high priority must be placed on encouraging teens to take responsibility for educating themselves and using clinical contraceptive services, if they make the decision to become sexually active.Contraceptives must be affordable and conveniently located; services for teens must be user friendly, timely and confidential. Both females and males must have access to these services. Teens must have the education and counseling they need for the effective use of contraceptives. This strategy is most successful when it includes community partners such as schools, the faith community, health-care providers, retailers and community based organizations. Goal All sexually active youth have the necessary access, knowledge and skills to use contraceptives effectively and consistently.Recommended actions
Indicators Among the indicators that reflect the success of this strategy are those measuring the use of contraceptives by teens and the state's teen pregnancy rate.Background information
Introduction Goal Encourage and provide opportunities for males (young men and adult males) to be actively involved in teen pregnancy prevention and parenting efforts.Recommended actions
Indicators Among the indicators that reflect the success of this strategy are those measuring the use of contraceptives, the number of teen births fathered by adult males and the state's teen pregnancy rate.Background information
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Introduction There are legal as well as social issues involved in teen pregnancy. Children deserve to be supported by both parents. To do this, services need to encourage both parents to be active and positive influences in their child's life.The methods of achieving this include paternity establishment, collection efforts by the state's Child Support Program, and encouraging and facilitating positive involvement by both parents. A portion of teen pregnancies result from criminal acts such as rape, incest, abuse and exploitation. The challenge for communities is to effectively respond to the legal issues involved in these pregnancies without negatively affecting the health and safety of the teens involved. There are currently pilot projects in three counties where the multi-disciplinary team (MDT), made up of investigators, prosecutors and social-service providers, is changing its approach. The projects seek a balance to help law enforcement pursue predators without discouraging young people from accessing services. The pilot results will be available in June 2002. Goals
Recommended actions
Indicators Among the indicators that reflect the success of this strategy are those measuring the number of teen births fathered by adult males and the state's teen pregnancy rate.Background information Establishing paternity: Establishing legal paternity means children will know who their biological father is and will be legally recognized as the person's offspring.To establish legal paternity, parents can sign a voluntary acknowledgement of paternity at the hospital or birthing center. Or, the parents can later sign a paternity affidavit. Families receiving services from the Department of Human Services or the Oregon Youth Authority can get help in establishing paternity through the Oregon Child Support Program. Multidisciplinary teams: Every county district attorney is mandated by Oregon law to develop a multi-disciplinary team that staffs cases of child abuse, including cases of teen sexual abuse. Mandatory reporting: Oregon has a "mandatory reporter" law that requires many professionals who have frequent contact with children to report possible abuse. Information about who is a mandatory reporter and how to make reports can be found in the pamphlet "Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse & Neglect." Local MDTs are also a resource on mandatory reporting, especially in regard to teen pregnancy.
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Introduction Strategy seven offers support to programs within communities that provide services to young mothers, fathers and their children. It affirms the unique needs of these families, and recommends actions for maximized support in meeting those needs.Oregon communities can benefit from coordinated programs and services for young parents that support positive choices and reduce subsequent teenage pregnancies. It is crucial that young-parent programs are culturally competent and respectful; use multiple strategies to address the diversity of the needs of young parents; tailor services to the individual; use strategies that are age- and gender-appropriate; and are flexible. Goal Young parents have the self-worth, skills, knowledge and resources they need to make positive life decisions and postpone additional teenage pregnancies.Recommended actions
Indicators Among the indicators that reflect the success of this strategy are those measuring the number of second teen pregnancies, the use of contraceptives, and the state's teen pregnancy rate.Background information Repeat births among adolescents are of particular concern for several reasons. An adolescent with two or more children is at greater risk of experiencing, and less likely to overcome, a host of difficulties associated with early adolescent childbearing, including pre-term birth, low birth weight and failure to thrive.When compared to similarly situated women who delay childbearing until age 20 or 21, adolescent mothers and their children experience a number of adverse social, health and economic consequences. For example, in an increasingly competitive economy, the adolescent years are best devoted to education and building the skills needed to old a job that pays a living wage. This is increasingly difficult while parenting. Therefore, it is clear that young-parent services are an important strategy for the health of our families and communities. Based on information from: "Reviving Interest in Policies and Programs to Help Teens Prevent Repeat Births." Dailard, Cynthia. The Alan Guttmacher Report on Public Policy. 2000. "Kids Having Kids: A Special Report on the Costs of Adolescent Childbearing." Robin Hood Foundation, Maynard, Rebecca A., Editor. 1996. "Tracking Healthy People 2010." U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
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Positive community values
Comprehensive sexuality education and youth development
Abstinence education
Contraceptive access
Male involvement and leadership
Balancing health, safety and legal issues
Young-parent services