Teenwise Minnesota Adolescent Parent eNews

September 2011

You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do.

-Eleanor Roosevelt

Announcements

Teenwise Minnesota is eliminating the Adolescent Parent Program Manager position as of September 9, 2011. This will be my last newsletter. Keep up the good work. You are needed and valued in this field!

-Sue Fust

Baby Steps Opens Its Doors in Brooklyn Center!

Brooklyn Center Academy now offers a teen parenting program including on-site childcare. Programs are tailored to support teen parents as they pursue their high school diploma. Also offered: support groups, on-site medical, dental and mental health care, home visiting services and assistance connecting to a wide variety of other service providers to meet the individual needs of each family. Call 763-561-4480 x5000 for more information.

Kids Count 2011

According to data released by the Annie E. Casey Foundation in its 2011 KIDS COUNT Data Book, Minnesota ranks second for the fourth year in a row in key indicators of child health and well-being.

The Data Book highlights child well-being in Minnesota including:

• Improvements for the indicators child and teen deaths, infant mortality and teens who are not in school and not high school graduates. The rate of children facing these risks has decreased since the beginning of the decade.
• Declines in well-being for children born at low birth-weight, children living in poverty, and children living in single parent families. The percent of children for all of these indicators has increased since the beginning of the decade putting children's well-being at greater risk.

"The indicator that experienced the largest change since the beginning of the decade is child poverty," said Kara Arzamendia, Research Director for the Children's Defense Fund-Minnesota. "Child poverty has increased 56 percent since 2000 compared to 18 percent nationwide. Children living in poverty face all kinds of risks that affect their health, achievement, and overall well-being, which ultimately affect the well-being of our state. Unless we deal with the increases in child poverty, we cannot begin to address the other challenges represented in the data to promote the health and well-being of Minnesota's children." For a detailed profile of Minnesota children's well-being, click here (PDF).

Teen Parent Connection Meetings

Research

Teen Dating Violence: A Literature Review and Annotated Bibliography

This annotated bibliography and summary of research (PDF) identify significant research carried out in the decade since 1999 on the issue of dating violence among high school and middle school youth. The survey provided by the bibliography and summary covers quantitative and qualitative literature on the definition and prevalence of, as well as risk factors for, adolescent dating violence, also called teen relationship abuse. The survey also encompasses research on the deleterious effects of dating violence both in the context of the current relationship and in future intimate partnerships. Finally, the bibliography and summary cover the literature on the effectiveness of prevention programs and on responses to the issue of dating violence in the law and legal systems.

Perceived Fatherhood Roles and Parenting Behaviors Among African American Teen Fathers

Despite the growing body of research on the topic of adolescent parenthood, few studies have examined the perceptions and lived experiences of African American teen fathers. The primary aim of this study in the Journal of Adolescent Research was to examine how this group defines and performs the father role. In-depth interviews were conducted with 30 African American fathers aged 14 to19 years old. Three themes emerged from the data: provider role, nurturer role and autonomous fathers. The study results generate important questions that require further research. Information from African American teens in particular could be used to develop and evaluate interventions.

The Efficacy of an Intimate Partner Violence Prevention Program with High-Risk Adolescent Girls: A Preliminary Test

This study in Prevention Science examined the efficacy of a brief (four session) intimate partner violence (IPV) prevention that was designed to reduce the relationship violence of predominantly African American inner-city adolescent girls who were receiving teen pregnancy services. These high-risk girls were randomly assigned to the prevention program or waitlist control conditions. As predicted, girls who successfully completed the program reported significant reductions in their perpetration of psychological abuse toward their baby's father as compared to the control participants. They also reported experiencing significantly less severe IPV victimization over the course of the program. Preliminary analyses indicated that avoidant attachment to one's partner may be associated with less program-related change. These findings support the contention that brief IPV prevention programs can be targeted to selected groups of high-risk adolescents.

Sexual Abuse in Childhood and Adolescence and the Risk of Early Pregnancy Among Women Ages 18-22

This clinic- and community-based study in the Journal of Adolescent Health of young women investigated the relationship between previous sexual abuse and early pregnancy, examining the effect of the developmental period in which sexual abuse occurred and type of sexual abuse. As compared with women with no history of sexual abuse, women who experienced sexual abuse only in childhood had a 20 percent greater hazard of pregnancy; women who experienced sexual abuse only in adolescence had a 30 percent greater hazard of pregnancy; and women who experienced sexual abuse in both childhood and adolescence had an 80 percent greater hazard of pregnancy. Across these periods, attempted rape and rape were associated with an increased hazard of pregnancy. Women with higher educational attainment are less likely to experience early pregnancy as a result of abuse.

Resources

• Lionheart's Newest Resource: The Power Source Parenting Facilitator's Manual
• Closing the Financial Gap for Low-Income Student Parents
• Zero to Three: From Baby to Big Kid: Month 31
• Zero to Three: From Baby to Big Kid: Month 32
• Video of an Incarcerated Dad's Transformation
• Nurturing Relationships
• Healthy Break-ups

Lionheart's Newest Resource: The Power Source Parenting Facilitator's Manual

The Lionheart Foundation developed the Power Source Parenting Facilitator's Manual to assist staff and clinicians in implementing the Power Source Parenting program. The Power Source Parenting Facilitator's Manual presents a 13-session program which can be adapted to fit a wide range of settings. The Power Source Parenting book and facilitator's manual provide a theory-driven intervention to support teens in becoming attuned, responsive and effective parents. The book and manual serve as a comprehensive stand-alone course or can be used to augment existing parenting programs. Special introductory price of $25 on orders placed through October 31, 2011. For more information and to order, click here.

Closing the Financial Gap for Low-Income Student Parents

On July 25, the Institute for Women's Policy Research hosted the webinar, Closing the Financial Gap for Low-Income Student Parents: The Benefits of Integrated Service Delivery on Community College Campuses. The webinar was co-sponsored by CLASP and Single Stop USA. View the webinar's slides (PDF).

Zero to Three: From Baby to Big Kid: Month 31

Learn how a child's development unfolds from 30 to 36 months and what you can do to support her learning and growing. Read about the importance of being aware of adult temperamental styles and how parents might be similar to and different from their child—and the challenges this creates at times. Tune in to how you can help toddlers cope with saying good-bye at child care in the morning. Read about research that shows the importance of providing toddlers with social "scripts" to use. These scripts seem to help children learn manners, compassion and how to get along with peers. Take an in-depth look at how to help a child learn how to manage her frustration and follow the rules and limits. Check out these fun activities that nurture a baby's development and her connection to adults.

Zero to Three: From Baby to Big Kid: Month 32

Read about common experiences many parents have at this age, like dealing with their child's bedtime tantrum. Tune in to the ups and downs of learning to make friends. Read about research that shows how older toddlers are developing an awareness of what gender they are. Take an in-depth look at what you can do to nurture a child's growing imagination and how playing pretend supports your child's overall development. Check out these fun activities that nurture a baby's development and her connection to adults.

Video of an Incarcerated Dad's Transformation

Click here to see a 10-minute video of Troy, who worked through his own trials and issues to become a good Dad to his son.

Nurturing Relationships

Read the Annie E. Casey Foundation report (PDF) of evaluations of some relationship-building curricula.

Healthy Break-ups

Here are some resources from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation for helping teens deal with breaking up.

Upcoming Trainings

September 19-December 19, 2011
Fall 2011 CEED Online Courses

September 19-November 21, 2011:
Parent-Infant Pathways: An Educator's Guide to Providing Information and Support to New Parents
(36 clock hours)
Instructor: Jolene Pearson, B.E.S., M.S., IMH-E® (IV), Minneapolis Public Schools, Early Childhood Special Education, Interagency Facilitator

September 26-November 28, 2011:
Prenatal Development and Its Influence on Child Development: A Foundational Course on the Parent-Infant Relationship
(24 clock hours)
Instructor: Joann O'Leary, Ph.D., MPH, MS

October 3-December 5, 2011:
Bridging Education and Mental Health
(24 clock hours)
Instructor: Leah Hjelseth, MA, School Psychologist

October 10-December 12, 2011:
Premature Babies and Their Parents: Information and Insights for Early Intervention Personnel
(36 clock hours)
Instructor: Jolene Pearson, M.S., IMH-E® (IV), Minneapolis Public Schools, Early Childhood Special Education

October 17-December 19, 2011:
Introduction to Infant Mental Health
(24 clock hours)
Instructor: Marit Appeldoorn, MSW, LICSW

September 19, 2011
8th Annual Women's Health Research Conference: A Focus on Perinatal, Maternal and Child Health

McNamara Alumni Center, University of Minnesota

This conference will focus on presentations that inform the audience about the latest evidence-based methods to address numerous perinatal health concerns of women and infants. Each speaker will be a leader in developing evidence-based models for identifying and addressing the health of women and children. Several topics of critical importance to perinatal health have been identified and leading researchers/practitioners will address each of these topics.

More information and registration is available here.

October 20 and 21, 2011
Nurturing Adolescent Parent Families Conference

Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Center
11385 Grant Drive, Northglenn, CO

The Nurturing Adolescent Families conference will bring together multi-disciplinary individuals dedicated to improving the lives and relationships of adolescent parents. Participants will explore issues facing adolescent families and practice concrete tools to strengthen and enhance their work with this vulnerable population. For more information and to register, visit www.howtoreadyourbaby.com.

For more resources and information about adolescent parents, visit the Adolescent Parent Program page on the Teenwise Minnesota website.