California's Male Involvement Program (MIP) continues to demonstrate success with its comprehensive educational and awareness programming oriented to young men in preventing teen pregnancy. Initiated in 1996, the program reaches well beyond the confines of traditional sex education, offering participants a variety of tools to help them navigate a healthy passage into adulthood, while avoiding too-early pregnancy.
A statewide evaluation of the program involved focus groups with participants, interviews with program staff, and a survey of coordinators from 25 projects. Overall, results indicate the importance of (1) building on cultural identity and strengths; (2)incorporating employment readiness and economic development;(3)creating programs that fit within the context of young men's lives;(4)adopting age-appropriate strategies; and (5)providing incentives to attract and maintain young men's participation.
Such evaluation findings led to the redirection of the MIP at the state level, and the adoption of an integrated, comprehensive approach to working with adolescent and young adult males. Eight key strategies subsequently required of programs include: (1) Prevention Education Services; (2) Community Mobilization; (3) Youth Leadership Development; (4) Institutionalization of MIP Activities; (5) Guidance and Referral; (6) Youth/Adult Partnerships; (7) Community Awareness of Male Involvement; and (8) Links to Clinical Services.
Evaluation results offer valuable insight for expanding services to males within local communities and replicating programs at the state and national levels.
Learning Objectives: 1. Identify the most effective strategies for engaging young men in pregnancy prevention; 2. Describe the required components of California's Male Involvement Program, which will help interested organizations to replicate the intervention
Keywords: Male Reproductive Health, Family Planning
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Program sponsored by the California Office of Family Planning, DHS
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.