Since 1991, national teen birthrates have been declining. However, nationally, among adolescents ages 15-19, Latinas have had the highest birth rates of any racial/ethnic group. In Santa Clara County, between 1991-1998, the Latina teen birth rate for those ages 15-19 (108.3 per 1,000), was slightly higher than the national rate (101.6). Indeed, in 1998, nearly 70% of all births to teens ages 15-19 in Santa Clara County were to Latinas. Since 1997, the Santa Clara County Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Network (APPN) has been actively developing a community wide effort to reduce adolescent pregnancy in Santa Clara County. APPN originated as a community based idea that was subsequently financially and staff supported by the county Public Health Department. In 1998 APPN received a four year grant from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation for the implementation of seven community based workgroups who subsequently created 21 prevention projects. Four of the workgroups are geographically based in high risk areas. The remaining three county-wide workgroups comprise the faith community and the areas of public policy and community education and awareness (media). This presentation describes the lessons learned from the intermediate findings of a research case study that describes the types of projects implemented, APPN's unique decision-making structure, the faith community's struggle with professional agencies over prevention messages other than abstinence, and most significantly the processes and structures that a county public health department and a private foundation implement to ensure program accountability while also respecting the autonomy and integrity of the community-based groups.
Learning Objectives: Particpates will recognize the organizational structure of a community wide pregnancy prevention network
Keywords: Pregnancy, Latinos
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Santa Clara County Public Health Department
Santa Clara County Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Network
Sociometrics Corporation
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: evaluation consultant