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Interdisciplinary community collaborative to reduce adverse outcomes with teen pregnancies

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Interdisciplinary community collaborative to reduce adverse outcomes with teen pregnancies

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Content Running head: ICC-RAOTP 1
Interdisciplinary Community Collaborative to Reduce Adverse Outcomes with Teen
Pregnancies
Suzette Douglas-Jones
University of Southern California
Professor: COL Jeffrey Yarvis, Ph.D., LCSW
Advisor: Dr. Lee
SOWK 720: Dr. Lewis, Jr.
SOWK 722
August 2019
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Abstract
Pregnant minority teens experience a higher rate of adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes than
their White counterparts. Most attention focuses on the birth rate outcome of minority teen girls
in the United States. However, other concerns, such as their mental well-being and the potential
adverse outcomes stemming from lack of prenatal care, remain unaddressed. Teen parents need
supportive programs and services in order to reduce the associated health risks. The current
project expounds on a collaborative project that addresses the unique needs of pregnant and
parenting minority teens. The focus is on the improvement of health and life outcomes for their
children as well as themselves. The project will maximize on collecting data using focus
groups, which will also be instrumental to the incorporation of the “Shame Not Mine”
initiative. Further longitudinal data measurement will allow comparisons of data outcomes
before the project and afterward with a focus on adverse outcomes in teenage pregnancies. As
such, the multifaceted effort ensures that young parents have the capacity to access information
on prenatal care as well as health services. It also emphasizes the involvement of multiple
stakeholders within the entire community, including specific institutions and individuals. The
interdisciplinary community collaborative acts as a source of social support and direct
mentorship for the pregnant and parenting minority teenagers. The project is expected to
diminish the stigma associated with teenage pregnancy, promote positive health outcomes, and
perpetuate better life outcomes among pregnant teens within the minority population.

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Executive Summary
The recognition of challenges facing pregnant minority teenagers and their parenting
efforts forms the basis for the current project. Teen pregnancy a stigmatizing occurrence in
the United States (SmithBattle, 2013), pose constraints to the access to prenatal care for the
teenage parents as well as the necessary social support for the pursuit of other life goals
including education (Holtz & Bairan, 2010). As such, the current project seeks to establish a
collaborative intervention intended to address these limitations specifically among the
minority population of teenagers.
The intervention identifies challenges for the target population and the system as well as
identifying personal outcomes and system barriers. The specific pursuits under this innovation
include the goals for program development, training to achieve goals and future research, and
policies that seek to create a more significant impact for minority pregnant teens. The current
innovation, therefore, would lower adverse outcomes in teen pregnancies by providing
education, community resources, and mentoring to change the results of teen pregnancy in a
faith-based setting. This collaborative recognizes the "voice" of the minority pregnant teen
mother (MPTM) and will give value to their active participation in decision making that
impact their lives. As such, it incorporates both the social effort to improve the health
outcomes of minority teens while also offering a framework for empowering these teens for
better results in the future.

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Background of the Problem
Current evidence supports a higher prevalence of teen pregnancies among minorities
compared to their white counterparts (Wisniewski & O’Connell, 2018). Not only this, but
minority teens endure worse complications and adverse events in the course of these
pregnancies when compared to White teens (Penfield, Cheng & Caughey, 2013). Woven
within this complexity of racial disparities, maternal and neonatal outcomes are the dire
consequences for the teen mother and her child. Penfield, Cheng, and Caughey (2013)
indicated that minority teen mothers are more likely to experience complications during
pregnancy and have a mortality rate three times higher during childbirth when compared to
White mothers. The manifestation of these adverse outcomes is related to race-based stress
and lower socioeconomic opportunities within the population. In the issue of Black-White
disparities (Braveman et al., 2017) racial discrimination is a psychosocial stressor, may
increase the risk of adverse birth outcomes (Coley & Nichols, 2016) socioeconomic factors
have been found to contribute higher proportions of adverse birth outcomes and associated
disparities among mothers in lower socioeconomic environments. Interventions to facilitate
interdisciplinary community collaborations for the reduction of adverse events surrounding
teen pregnancies in the minority are crucial as an approach to addressing minority social
welfare. The tailoring of interventions relies clearly on the nature of challenges that pregnant
teens in the target population experience. Primarily, the minority pregnant teen girls report
psychological challenges that relate both to social stigma and the uncertainty regarding their
future (Vianna, 2019). The interventions, therefore, seek to provide a framework for
continued social support towards the enhancement of perinatal outcomes for the mother and
child.
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This Capstone Project will address the Grand Challenge of “Ensuring Healthy
Development of All Youth” while having an impact on the Grand Challenge of “Achieve
Equal Opportunity and Justice”, the lack of opportunity and justice results in lack of
resources that indirectly affects health , as with all 12 Grand Challenges for Social Work, the
challenge to Achieve Equal Opportunity and Justice is intrinsically intertwined with all the
others (Fong, Lubben, & Barth, 2018) through “Promoting Equality by Addressing Social
Stigma” (Goldbach, Amaro, Vega & Walter, 2015). It will focus on preventing adverse health
and social outcomes among pregnant minority teens.
Literature Review
Trends in Teen Pregnancy
The rates of teen pregnancy vary across populations and countries. At the present time,
rates of teen pregnancy and childbearing in the United States are among the highest in the
developed world (Fedorowicz, Hellerstedt, Schreiner, & Bolland, 2014). Beck (2016) noted
that the most recent data from the World Bank had the United States at 24 births per 1,000
women aged 15-to-19. Similarly, birth rates for all teens varied county-by-county, even within
smaller states (Buchanan, 2016). Giving birth during adolescence is not only a risk factor for
adverse pregnancy outcomes but also hurts the future well-being of the teen and her baby
(Ganchimeg et al. 2014). There are gaps in birth outcomes among mothers in different racial,
age, and socioeconomic groups that continue to present a serious health concern (Coley,
Nichols, Rulison, Aronson, Brown-Jeffy, & Morrison, 2015). In the United States, nearly half
of all women who become mothers in their teens, most never earn a high school diploma, and
a vast amount of them live in poverty (Redden, 2017). Further, teen childbearing can have
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negative health, economic, and social consequences for mothers and their children (Romero,
2016). These perspectives emphasize the value in addressing strategies to minimize these
potential negative outcomes.
There is a link between racism and health status from various dimensions, but this
phenomenon remains inadequately researched. Even with chronic stress being a key element
in how racism contributes to health disparities (Bishell, 2017), no program exists to mentor
and aid the families of teens who experience adverse health outcome related to social and
behavioral health issues of pregnant teens. The stress of pregnancy and childbearing is
detrimental to the health of African American and Hispanic teens and their children. A study
with 125 minority pregnant teens attending a comprehensive pregnancy and parenting
program found that 41 % had significant depressive symptoms in the third trimester based on
the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (DES-D), (Buzi, Smith, Kozinetz,
Peskin, & Wieman, 2015, p.2187). Teen mothers experience high levels of parental stress and
depression. Huang, Costeines, Ayla, and Kaufman (2014) observed that teens who are first-
time parents experience additional stress and negative emotions associated with parenting,
which impacted the healthy development of their children. The aftereffects of depression and
stress are associated with the health outcome for the child. Buzi et al. (2015) explained that
studies had found depressive symptoms in expecting mothers are related to slow fetal growth
rates, increased risk of preterm delivery, and low birth rate. Interventions to address these
issues are crucial to the achievement of positive outcomes within the target population.

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The Proposed Intervention
Therefore, the proposed intervention seeks to fill this void for pregnant and childbearing
teens. For this reason, it is crucial to construct the first of its kind, an innovative curriculum
based on the need and eliminate the adverse health outcomes of pregnant minority teens. We
are introducing an inclusive community-based collaborative, Shame Not Mine, to impact the
teen pregnancy community and bring awareness to the significant health issues experienced
by this group. For one thing, implementing Shame Not Mine innovative program will disrupt
the adverse outcomes for this marginal population while improving the quality of life for both
mother and child. The methodology tools will thwart personal embarrassment, shame, and
awkwardness that afflict minority teens during pregnancy and childbearing. Huang et al.
(2014) advocated the view that minority teens who were pregnant or parenting had lower
levels of self-esteem, lower grades, and fewer career aspirations. Embedded in the culture of
teen pregnancy are negative labels such as stupid, whore, immoral, and promiscuous. This
deviant shift will disrupt the social norm early parenthood leads to loss of hope and
educational goals. Shame Not Mine will implement programs to build confidence in all
participants.
The intervention, as part of this project, will use a conceptual framework to highlight
the steps and stages of the model program concepts. The framework will identify challenges
for the target population and the system as well as identifying personal outcomes and system
barriers. The framework will include the goals for program development, training to achieve
goals and future research and policy to create a more significant impact for minority pregnant
teens. Developing an educational program and distributing resources through a collaborative
network would assist this group with their goals of achieving a good quality of life (Lindberg,
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Santelli, & Desai, 2016). The innovation that I am proposing would lower teen pregnancies by
providing education, community resources, and mentoring to alter the incidents of teen
pregnancy in a faith-based setting. This collaborative recognizes the "voice" of the minority
pregnant teen mother (MPTM) and will give value to their active participation in decision
making that impact their lives.
Increasing Local and State Capacity to Support the High-Quality Implementation of
Effective Preventive Interventions
Current interventions often lack sufficient stakeholder collaboration to address the
individual details of change that are required for progress in health. Most local and state
systems lack the interdepartmental structures necessary to overcome the vertical delivery of
prevention services. Measurable progress in promoting healthy youth development and
preventing behavioral-health problems will require interdisciplinary and cross-sector
collaboration across the vertically organized local and state agencies that currently provide
health, education, social, protection, and justice services for young people. New policies and
organizational structures are needed to foster the cross-sector implementation of effective
prevention programs. Some states have created executive-level children’s cabinets to develop,
implement, and oversee cross-cutting prevention initiatives (Wisniewski and O’ Connell,
2017). Other states have partnered with universities to enhance infrastructure and technical-
assistance capacity through intermediary organizations that help agencies and communities
implement and monitor preventive interventions (National Conference of State Legislatures,
2018). Collaborative and interdepartmental backbone structures and intermediary
organizations should be examined and, when appropriate, replicated. It is only where the
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implementation of these efforts is comprehensive that sustainable progress can be
accomplished for this vulnerable population.
Measurable progress in promoting healthy youth development and preventing
behavioral-health problems will require interdisciplinary and cross-sector collaboration across
the vertically organized local and state agencies that currently provide health, education,
social, protection, and justice services for young people. A collaborative community design is
being proposed that brings together government agencies/structure, nonprofits, and faith-
based organization, working directly with community stakeholders. This collaborative effort
will bring together pregnant and at-risk teens and give them a voice “ at the table” with a
voice in the design and implementation of the program. This is one of the key design factors
of this Capstone Project. The pilot program is set in the center of Lynchburg, Virginia.
Current public policies concerning teen pregnancy are unfounded and are not working.
For instance, the three-word mantra, “Just Say No” coined by Nancy Reagan, does not work
and does not fit in today’s norms (McGrath, 2016). Therefore, there is a need for an
alternative strategy that conforms to current practices and adequately addresses the demands
emanating from current habits. Subsequently, establishing a group of supporters along with
the family members of teens who have to succumb to adverse health outcomes while pregnant
would push towards change. Contacting legislators, along with other elected officials, will
give the community collaborative the support of stakeholders and others to scale up the
program. There are current uncertainties relating to teenage pregnancies, such as supportive
interventions supposedly perpetuating negative behavior and outcomes (Farber, 2014). It is
important to have stakeholders like parents and education institutions on board, ensuring their
provision of social support and reduction of stigma. In this case, the most important
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stakeholder is the minority teenager, when bombarded with choices and do not know how to
choose or navigate through the scarcity of medical resources in her community as she seeks
treatment for herself and the developing fetus ((Farber, 2014). Therefore, joint efforts within
the community should demonstrate the highest degrees of effectiveness due to their capacity
to articulate the views of various stakeholders.
Further, the collaborations include field-based and site-based mentoring towards the
provision of guidance on care practices that ensure the health and safety of the mentees. At
the same time, the efforts feature the provision of a voice to the teen girls among the minority,
facilitating community-based programs that allow feedback from them on their individual
experiences. These innovative programs are expected to bridge the gap in adverse health
outcomes experienced by minority teens in the course of pregnancy, decreasing the social
barriers created by socioeconomic shortcomings and providing supportive frameworks to
diminish risk. The approaches also offer the opportunity to empower stakeholders to work
with traditional and non-traditional agencies to develop positive prevention programs; thus,
meeting the goals and objectives of the Power of Prevention (Hawkins et al., 2015).
Therefore, the current innovation should apply this principle in bridging the gap between the
health and social needs of pregnant teens and their current provisions, towards the prevention
of adverse health outcomes.
Area II. Conceptual Framework
“Though the incidences of teen pregnancy are decreasing, it continues to be highest in the
United States than other developed countries” (Lindberg, Santelli, & Desai, 2016).

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Statement of Problem
The health effects of the teens’ pregnancy and birth results are often overlooked,
especially those affecting the minority populations. Pregnant minority teens experience a
higher rate of adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes than their White counterparts (Farber,
2014). Gunes (2016) indicated that few studies explore the impact of teenage childbearing on
health behaviors of mothers. Most attention focuses on the birth rate outcome of minority teen
girls in the United States. Wisniewski and O’ Connell (2017) noted that in the United States,
the teen birth rate is high for Hispanics and non-Hispanic Blacks when compared to non-
Hispanic Whites. Research shows that 50 % of all Black and Hispanic girls will become
pregnant at least once before age 20, compared to 19% of White girls (Farber, 2014). This
group also confront poorer outcomes in societal matters due to cultural or intergenerational
influences.
Policies, as well as funding, have focused on teen pregnancy prevention. This Capstone
Project is focused on providing a community collaborative approach on providing services for
minority teens that are already pregnant and have decided to become parents. These teen
parents need supportive programs and services in order to reduce the risks for teen parents and
their children (Lindberg, Santelli, & Desai, 2016). The collaborative addresses the special
needs of pregnant and parenting minority teens to improve health and life outcomes of their
children as well as themselves. The goal of the collaborative efforts is to develop supportive
programs and services to reduce the risks for teen parents and their children. Community
members are involved in the collaborative as mentors and supportive resources for the
parenting teens. The involvement of multiple community stakeholders, therefore, has a
significant bearing on outcomes.
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The teens who become pregnant face unpredictable health outcomes. According to
Kappeler (2015), adolescence represents a time of rapid growth and development; since their
bodies are still growing, complications may arise in pregnancy. Exposure to risk factors
during adolescence determines who will remain healthy later in life ( Kappleler, 2015). This
information is useful when looking at the geographic, socioeconomic, and racial/ethnic
disparities in teen birth rates that persist. Coleyʻs et al. (2015) findings confirmed that
disparities in birth outcomes among mothers in different racial, age, and socioeconomic
groups continue to present critical concerns. The collaborative community effort will focus on
issues that delay confirmation of pregnancy, delay commencement of and inadequate prenatal
care, and lower compliance with medical advice.
Since the needs of young mothers are unique and complex in many ways, the innovative
initiative will address a variety of risk factors for teens who continue their pregnancy.
Hodgkinson, Beers, Southammakosane, and Lewin (2014) determined teen parenthood is
associated with a variety of adverse outcomes for young moms. A growing family confronts a
multitude of medical, socially, and economically issues. These issues are likely to exert
negatively on the mental state of the young parents as well as their prospects in life.
Interventions like the current one, therefore, focus on addressing these issues to mitigate the
effects currently and in the long term.
The Shame Not Mine initiative addresses the social and medical consequences of teen
pregnancy that can be significantly reduced or eliminated with appropriate resources and
programs through building on the assets and social capital of a community, working in a
collaboration with empowered stakeholders, including MPTMs. Health outcomes of teen
mothers are dire. The risk factors included complicated labor and delivery (Sedgh, Finer,
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Bankole, Eilers, & Singh, 2015). Research showed that teens experienced higher levels of low
birth rate preterm birth and neonatal mortality when compared to older mothers (Coley et al.,
2016). Providing unconditional support and training to achieve the goals of a healthy lifestyle
is key to increase the delivery of a healthy baby. The Shame, not Mine acknowledges that
adverse birth outcomes persist in this target group (Holtz, 2010). However, with proper
guidance, this group will be able to flourish once they understand the consequences of risky
behavior and have the support to change their behaviors.
Understanding the problems associated with schooling and parenting is another basis
for the pursuit of initiatives focusing on this population. High school is demanding for teen
mothers due to the added responsibilities of pregnancy and parenting. Among dropouts, 30
percent of girls cite pregnancy or parenthood as a key reason they left school (National
Conference of State Legislatures, 2018). The school dropout rates of teen parents lead to
future economic hardships. Teen pregnancy escalates dropout rates along with low success
academically (Barnett, Arroyo, Devoe, & Duggan, 2004). If pregnant teens were to stay in
school, the government would spend less on teen childbearing cost. The average dropout can
expect to earn an annual income of $20,241, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, which is
$10,386 less than the typical high school graduate (Breslow, 2012). The Shame Not Mine
initiative thrives on keeping the teen in school in order to increase opportunities of earning
higher wages for herself and child. This risk factor carries an annual cost of teen childbearing
to the United States taxpayers, an estimated at $9.1 billion, or $1,430 for each teen mother per
year (www.healthypeople.gov/2020). This calculation includes the public cost of teen
childbearing. The innovation acknowledges the social and structure complications that
accompany teen parenthood. Interfacing with existing community health programs and
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developing pathways for pregnant teens to access health care will reduce the estimated cost to
the government.
Teens who become mothers often have limited life skills and resources that are critical
to the parenting process; a burden that is transferred and transmitted to their child (Danielli,
Norris, & Engdahl, 2016). The risk factors that Shame Not Mine addresses are real concerns
to mother and child. Children of teen mothers perform worse on many measures of school
readiness, are 50 percent more likely to repeat a grade, and are more likely than children born
to older mothers to drop out of high school ((National Conference of State Legislatures,
2018), and more likely to end up in prison (Sueellentrop, 2015). Therefore, the provision of
resources to improve the parenting process may be a basis for the reduction of these negative
outcomes.
Literature and Practice Review of the Problem and Innovation
There is a considerable visible disparity that exists in the rates of teen pregnancies
among racial and ethnic groups in the United States. The prevalence of teen pregnancy among
Black teens was 39 births for every 1,000, while that of the Hispanics was 42 births per 1,000
teens, and for non-Hispanic white teens, the birth rate was 19 per 1,000 births (Wiltz, 2015).
Challenged by socioeconomic disadvantages, most minority have limited access to prenatal
care and other medical services. As a result, these teens experience a higher rate of adverse
pregnancy and birth outcomes with morbidity and mortality than their white counterparts
(Ganchimeg et al., 2014). Minority teen mothers are two times at the risk of giving birth to
low-birth-weight babies and 1.5 times at risk of giving birth to preterm babies as compared to
Whites in the United States (Mollborn and Dennis, 2013). The underweight babies are at
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increased risk of facing serious health problems and suffering development delays and
problems in later life (Mollborn and Dennis, 2013). Abdelaal, Mohamed & Aly (2018) found
that African American teen mothers experience several adverse birth outcomes including low
body weight during pregnancy, limited weight gain during pregnancy, poor quality parenting
care and history of drug abuse. Kawakita et al. (2015) found that children born to minority
teen mothers are at a higher risk being underweight, still-born, or born prematurely, while the
teenage mother risks experiencing maternal anemia and after-birth depression. These adverse
outcomes further perpetuate the basis for change and the reduction of critical incidents in the
health of minority teen parents.
Specific interventions, therefore, should focus on the reduction of the conventional
issues affecting this vulnerable population during teenage pregnancy. Chasse (2018) observed
that reducing infant morbidity with teen mothers is an issue that is rarely discussed that most
attention given to reducing the teen pregnancy rate. Romero et al. (2016) stated that ongoing
efforts to integrate social determinants of health into teen pregnancy program would play a
critical role in addressing racial, ethnic and geographical disparities observed in teen births in
the United States. Fong, Lubben, and Barth (2018) illustrated that interdisciplinary programs
are designed to deliver and test applications that involve a cadre of professionals. The
collaboration recognizes the "voice" of the MPTM and will give importance to their active
participation in the decision making that impact their lives through the first of its kind
program Shame Not Mine. It is important to create a thriving environment for pregnant teens
to feel comfortable and provide feedback.
The initial phase of this innovation started in Lynchburg, Virginia. A “within
community approach” started with the writer studying the problem of MPTM in Lynchburg,
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VA, with a licensed clinical social worker from the Lynchburg Child Welfare Agency along
with a prominent pastor in the community. The initial group of three has expanded to the
community. All parties have been gathering data to prepare a needs assessment and to
identify resources in this community.
Social Significance
The conditions can adversely affect maternal mental health, parenting, and behavior
outcomes for their children. Hodgkinson, Beers, Southammakosane, and Lewin (2014)
advocated the view that teen parenthood is associated with a multitude of mental problems for
young mothers, such as depression, substance abuse, posttraumatic stress disorder. Various
screening and diagnostic test are needed during pregnancy and after birth. Pregnant teens
often received scarce prenatal care, which results in complications during labor, and the
postpartum period (Yamin, Kumar, Parihar, 2014). Building a collaborative that involves
community leaders with a concern for the community will address the health outcomes of this
population.
Although the enactment of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) in
2010, looked promising in helping minorities equal access to health care (Fong, Lubben &
Barth, 2018), barriers, real or perceived are difficult for minorities to overcome. Lack of
insurance can present as a barrier for minority pregnant teens trying to access prenatal care.
The ACA excludes families with unauthorized immigrants (Fong, Lubben & Barth, 2018).
Introducing an intervention without these limitations is, consequently, beneficial to the entire
community. The low birth weight and premature birth are common medical problems that
contribute to adverse birth outcomes for this group. Coley et al. (2016) study advocated the
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view that preterm birth as an independent adverse outcome is an essential factor when
associated with low birth weight. Therefore, decreasing the occurrence of negative birth
outcomes will prove beneficial in this innovative program.
While medical risks are a major concern, educational challenges that confront teen parents
create barriers that hinder their ability to become successful, contributing adults and parents.
Iinterruptions in their education, e.g., illness, stress and lack of childcare to name a few create
challenges in their quest to obtain a high school diploma and pursuing post-high school
education, whether it be college, technical or business courses. Lacking a high school
diploma and further education training limits the teen parent’s choices for careers and
increases the risk of poverty and living in poverty (The American College of Obstetricians
and Gynecologists Committee on Adolescent Health Care, 2006). It is crucial, therefore, that
the resulting intervention addresses these challenges for teenage parents.
Conceptual Framework with A Logic Model Showing the Theory of Change
“Shame Not Mine” initiative encourages the MPTM to actively participate as key
stakeholders and gives them a “voice” in the process to help to shape the program and connect
with other stakeholders in the collaborative. Infusing the voice of the teen with the community
collaborative enhances the program’s curricula. Health professionals working in community
settings should consider teens as a powerful force to promote healthy behaviors (Petosa &
Smith, 2014). The staff will work collaboratively with other agencies and stakeholders to
create a home and family atmosphere that provides a supportive environment that embraces
the MPTM and supports them to achieve their goals and objectives. Shame Not Mine will
work with their stakeholders to identify the needs, resources, and support system to provide a
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seamless system of care that assists MPTM to achieve positive social and health outcomes.
The MPTMs and their relatives will have access to necessary medical, social services, mental
health services as well as resources for nutritional, educational, and community health
programs. The resources will be accessible and available throughout the MPTMs perinatal
and postnatal period and continue to maintain a relationship with the MPTMs and their
children through home and community follow-up. Shame Not Mine will accommodate
MPTMs with community-based support in partnership with other stakeholders to assist in
addressing adverse social and health outcomes.
The objective is to develop a plan where each teen mother is offered resources for
emotional, financial, social, and mental health service as well as prenatal and postnatal care
follow-up. Shame Not Mine will aid each participant in reaching her goals. Mentoring is
crucial to cultivating the relationships with MPTM and maintaining a long-term relationship
to guide them towards better prenatal and postnatal care outcomes. Petosa and Smith (2014)
suggested that through active support, mentoring empowers teens to plan, regulate, and
evaluate their personal lifestyle and build self-efficacy for health behavior change. By
creating an innovation that would inform and provide resources to MPTM on the importance
of prenatal and postnatal care through a mentoring program, will help lower the number of
adverse health outcomes one teen at a time.
The Board of Directors will be a vital part of our innovation, helping to better serve the
community. The Board will convene and review all important aspects of the innovation to
point the staff in the right direction. The Board of Directors and staff will design rules and
regulations, for concerns, problems, and intervening when the teen is not following or
meeting the organization guidelines. Our staff will be committed to providing services to
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pregnant and parenting teens. On-going training would be mandatory to understand the issues
that our target population is confronted with regularly. Having counselors enrolled in
professional workshops to work through personal biases will prevent stigmas that are often
associated with this population.
The Board of Directors would erect a plan to provide careful monitoring of staff and
counselors who routinely work with teens. The monitoring process would engage three skills
from the, 3 Basic Counseling Skills for Working with Teens (Himelstein, n.d.). 1. Evaluating
how well the counselors use deep listening, bringing one’s awareness to the present moment
with an attitude of non-judgment 2. Determining how well counselors engaged in open-ended
questions as opposed to closed-ended questions, 3. Did the counselor invoked teen to think
both about long-term and short-term achievable goals (Himelstein, n.d.). The goal of the
Board of Directors is to get motivated counselors who enjoy working directly with the
community while understanding the culture of the populace. The innovation will serve and
equip each teen with the right tools, discussing prevalent issues affecting MPTM.
Shame Not Mine is based on a conceptual framework that identifies the challenges
faces by MPTM as well as challenges to the “system”. Personal outcomes and system
barriers were identified based on the literature review as well as by meeting with MPTM and
community stakeholders, which included service agencies. Shame Not mine seeks to improve
the social and health outcomes for this group. Refer to Figure 1, Conceptual Framework to
follow the basis for the goals for program implementation, training, and future research and
policy needed to scale up the program. The pilot of Shame Not Mine is taking place in
Lynchburg, Virginia.
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The Project Model – Theory of Change (Figure 2) outlines the “roadmap” for the
stakeholders of the program, outlining key component. The theoretical framework that
supports the Theory of change is grounded in Social Systems Theory and the Empowerment
Theory. This project also utilizes a community health model that identifies the physical and
social determinants of health, identifies risks as well as providing a lens that analyzes health
disparities that impact MPTM. The components of these theories are perceptible in the
distinct choices made through the program.
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Figure 1: Conceptual Framework

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Figure 2: Project Model – Theory of Change

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Figure 3: Logical Model

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Area III. Problems of Practice an Innovative Solution
Proposed Innovation And its Effect on the Grand Challenge
The Interdisciplinary Community Collaboration to Reduce Adverse Outcomes with
Teen Pregnancies (Shame Not Mine) is a collaborative of community agencies, community
members, MPTMs, partners and their families, to acknowledge the special needs of pregnant
and childbearing teens to improve their health through supportive programs. While bridging
the space between those, who place greater emphasis on reducing teen pregnancy and birth
rate, this Capstone Project recognizes that focusing on prevention only leaves a very wide
void for pregnant teens and parenting teens. (NACCHO, 2009).
Current participants in the community collaborative selected a name for the program:
"The Shame Not Mine.” Through the interdisciplinary design of the program, social and
medical consequences of teen pregnancies can be reduced through the resources offered, e.g.
GED, higher ed/job training, financial literacy, coordinated health care management, home
visits by nurses and social workers and a “resource home” to provide a “safe, open and
centralized forum for participants.
Shame Not Mine, focuses on an interdisciplinary community collaborative approach to
reduce the adverse outcomes of teen pregnancies. It is anticipated that MPTM will participate
in an intensive 12-15 month program and remain in the program if they choose for up to 5-6
years, This takes into account MPTM participating in the program during their perinatal
period completing the modules during their postnatal period and participating with mentors
and staff until their “baby” completes kindergarten.
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Shame Not Mine has 8 key modules that include: 1) Promote perinatal and postnatal care for
positive social and health outcomes, 2) Well-being for self-care, 3) Uplift to build self-esteem
and self-worth through mentoring, 4) Preparation for birthing experience adapting both medical
and holistic approach, 5) Support for mother during and after childbirth, 6) Inspire to create a
supportive environment and develop “extended family” support, 7) Education & Career-
GED/HS Diploma, technical training, college, 8) Reinforcing the attitude—maintaining and
continuing a healthy lifestyle. The choice modules are based on the issues identified in the
literature as conventional challenges facing pregnant minority teens. Module 1 and 2 stems
from the difficulties in accessing medical care due to racial limitations (Coley & Nichols,
2016). Modules 3 to 8 are from the indications of literature on negative attitudes towards
assisting this vulnerable population (Farber, 2014) and the challenges of pursuing school after
teenage pregnancy (Redden, 2017). Addressing these challenges, therefore, defines the
components of the modules.
Disadvantaged environments exacerbate the risk of complications for MPTMs. Using
the above modules will improve adverse health outcomes. Given these complications,
providing support at each stage of pregnancy, childbirth, and early childhood can enhance
health outcomes for adolescent mothers and their infants (Coley & Nichols, 2016). Therefore,
the implementation of programs to increase social behavior will be beneficial for this target
population. The factors that attribute to teens who are at a higher risk of conceiving are: 1)
early age of initiating sex; 2) poor performance in school; 3) problem behaviors as well as
various forms of acting out; 4) easily influenced by peers who participate in problem behaviors;
5) weak parental bonding (Farber, 2014). Consequently, a community collaborative will
improve the health and social outcomes of MPTMs. Each year, dozens of teenage parents look
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to coordinate transportation, healthcare, and childcare as they struggle to complete high school
(Redden, 2017).
Fong, Lubben, and Barth (2018) noted in The Grand Challenges for Social Work and
Society, that the power of prevention as it relates to “Ensure Healthy Development for all
Youth,” lies in in the risk and protection-focused approach to preventing common teen
behavioral health problems.
Shame Not Mine’s focuses on four key Aims:
1. Positive social and health outcomes during the perinatal and postnatal period;
2. Positive self suffiiency outcomes for the MPTMs;
3. Positive developmental outcomes for the MPTMs children;
4. Positive outcomes for the MPTMs family
Teen pregnancy impacts teens, their families, and society; it presents several challenges (Spear
and Lock, 2003). Improving health outcomes, for instance, will require addressing behaviors
like:
Seeking and utilizing prenatal care and following recommended medical advice, which requires
(a) increasing the participantʻs knowledge of prenatal care, e.g. nutrition-balanced meals,
exercise, etc and decreasing/eliminating tobacco, alcohol and illegal drugs, (b) increasing
knowledge of good nutrition, increasing knowledge of “why exercise”, (c) increase knowledge of
symptoms of labor and increase knowledge of harmful effects of substance abuse, stress, tobacco
etc.. Besides medical and mental health care, other activities that supports this will include
working with a case manager, nurse, mentor, and activities that increase the knowledge of the
areas mentioned above, e.g. meal planning, social interaction with other MPTMs.
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Views of Key Stakeholders
Representatives of key stakeholder groups (Pastor Rick, LCSW Wingo & Dr. Vaughan-
Eden) have been instrumental in building the community collaborative and suggested that
Shame Not Mine be pilot in Lynchburg, VA. They have identified the issues that are
supported by their work in the community, their knowledge of Lynchburg, and the input and
feedback that they received from the MPTMs. The challenges that they identified for MPTMs
and the system, together with the personal outcomes and system barriers were consistent with
the research and literature. The MPTMs are also featured as key stakeholders, with their
views being collected from surveys to elaborate on their experiences and their perceptions
regarding this specific intervention. The dialogue and support of the MPTMs will enhance the
Shame Not Mine collaborative. The importance of communicating with learners, mentors, and
other stakeholders is crucial to the program achieving its goal (Labin, 2017).
Evidence and Current Context for Proposed Innovation
The rates of teenage pregnancy tend to be unmatched by interventions that address the
emerging needs of this population. In the last years of the 20th-century teenage pregnancy
was branded an epidemic, after the highest rates in modern times at 97.3 births per 1,000 girls
aged 15-19 (Farber, 2014). Premarital sex is not acceptable in society; teen girls still face
stigmatization. Stigma leads teenage mothers to report feeling fear, shame, resentment, anger,
distress, and lacking in confidence (Ellis-Sloan, 2014). In the past, abortion was a crime
unless a woman's life was at risk in many states. In 1973, the U.S. Supreme Court recognized
a woman's constitutional right to an abortion in Roe v. Wade (Chuck, 2018). This ruling
legalized abortion nationally but has been under criticism. Young mothers are presumed to be
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free-acting agents who have failed to make the ‘right’ choices (Ellis-Sloan, 2014). The
research suggested that teen pregnancy is a social problem; it leads to lower levels of
education, welfare dependency, and low paying jobs (Winters & Winters, 2012).
Consequently, interventions that address the needs of teenage mothers from a health, social,
and mental perspective are crucial to ensuring their well-being.
Shame Not Mine will provide services to pregnant and parenting teenagers. This
Capstone Project will provide teenagers with community referrals and resources to agencies
to form a partnership with our participants. The aim is to assure each participant is treated
with respect and offered emotional, financial, and medical support during this time of crisis.
The staff will be committed to assisting each participant to reach her goals. Shame Not Mine
bridges the challenges of MPTMs as they seek to achieve positive social and health outcomes,
thus saving the life of mother and child.
Comparative Assessment of Other Opportunities for Innovation
In Georgia, the House of Dawn is a program that focuses on teen pregnancy and
parenting teen mothers in several different ways. The program main goal is to provide shelter
for homeless women and children (http://houseofdawn.org). The House of Dawn Second
Chance Home has formed collaborations with several agencies in the community. The
program offers a full range of services which includes, among others, parenting and life skills,
educational enrichment, housing supervision, access to mental and physical health care,
transportation assistance, and childcare services.
In California, the Adolescent Family Life Program Positive Youth Development (AFLP
PYD) utilizes a clear-cut youth development resiliency framework and life planning support
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with the objectives of reducing repeat teen pregnancies, and increasing educational or
vocational advancement, parent and child health (Office of Adolescent Health, 2014). This
program serves pregnant and parenting teens that either has custody of a child or are co-
parenting with the custodial parent (Office of Adolescent Health, 2014). This program assists
teens that face several challenges, including poverty, unstable home environments, domestic
violence, and struggles in school.
Minnesota’s teen program is in St. Paul-Ramsey County, located within the Department
of Health. The program aims are pregnant and childbearing teens remaining in school until
completion. However, it also linked with the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP),
the state’s economic program for low-income families with children (NACCHO, 2009). The
key component that the program address is promoting healthy teen and infant outcomes and
repeat of pregnancies. High-School retention is strategized among their participants entering
the program.
Also, The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, in
Maryland, has developed “Teen Pregnancy and Teen Parenting Case Management Program
(NAACHO, 2009). The program offers a wide range of services to support pregnant and
parenting teens. Their three key program components are:
1. Ensure a birth weight of 5.5 pounds among the children born to teens.
2. Keep Program participants in the school.
3. Prevent repeat teen pregnancies among program participants.
The program does not target any specific population but acknowledges that they are
looking into the increase Latino teen birth rates (NACCHO, 2009).
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While the sample programs are comprehensive, there are some common
shortcomings to their implementation. Specifically, they lack any observable effort to
introduce the deliberate pairing of pregnant teenagers with mentors, towards the
individualization of the approach to care. The aspect could diminish the effectiveness of
the programs due to the generalization of the approaches they apply. Similarly, there
seems to be a focus on support as opposed to its combination with empowerment. The
latter would reflect the introduction of information provision as a major doctrine, as
well as the involvement of both male and female teenagers in devising future strategies
towards the prevention of repeat pregnancies and the pursuit of other life goals.
The Shame Not Mine innovative approach is cutting edge among other agencies
that aid pregnant and childbearing teens. The program addresses pregnant and
childbearing teens who are challenged by socioeconomic disadvantages, limited access
to prenatal care and other medical services, resulting in these teens experiencing a
higher rate of adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes. The Shame Not Mine innovation
prides itself on reaching the communities where teens feel stigmatized, perhaps feeling
more stress due to their current environment.
How Innovation Links to Proposed Logic Model and Theory of Change
Implementing an innovative program that provides social support, mentoring, and
inputs from those experiencing the effects of teenage pregnancy would assist the teenage
mother in her ability to make sound decisions. The use of mentors to deliver any behavioral
self-regulation curriculum is an innovative approach to overcoming the unique challenges of
underserved and economically distressed populations (Petosa & Smith, 2014). The “Shame
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Not Mine” focuses on community capacity building-utilize an empowerment model with
existing groups to actively participate in developing programs which will train community
advocates with a goal of: (1) develop of mode that creates and increases the voices of MPTM,
(2) increasing support for MPTM and to assist them in maintain a healthy environment for
themselves and their babies in community; (3) increasing access and utilization to services for
the MPTM
Shame Not Me uses a community capacity building and community health approach to
ground this Capstone Project into the “pilot community” of Lynchburg, VA working with
grassroots organizations, existing agencies, organizations, and faith-based communities.
Following a needs assessment, MPTMs will be identified through networking and community
outreach. There's a path of purpose, success, and destiny for all those whom the world
statistically deemed as a loss, the experiences of our teens can be restored, their lives can be a
positive impact for their communities (House of Esther Organization, 2016).
In the long-haul teenage pregnancy is a community problem with social implications.
Fedorowicz, Hellenstedt, Schreiner, and Bolland (2014) noted that pregnancy and
childbearing in marginalized youth produced significant, lifelong, social, and health risks to
parent and offspring. Teenage pregnancy is associated with various adverse maternal and fetal
outcomes, which may lead to increase mortality and morbidity for the mother and her child
(Yasmin et al., 2014). These are preventable through deliberate interventions that address
these adverse health outcomes and provide social support.
Providing social support increase their decision comfort and reduces the stress that
impacts a mother’s health and the health of the unborn child. Mentoring will give the
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counselor a way in the door to address the needs of the teenagers. According to Daley et al.
(2013), teenage mothers are still experiencing brain development, their thinking, and
reasoning is geared towards childhood than mature thinking. As a mentor, the counselors at
our organization will be able to address the needs of the participants. They are assisting the
teenage mother in the future planning of her family’s life. While establishing stability to
divert the negative outcomes in teenagers as they are supported in accessing care for their
prenatal needs.
Area IV. Project Structure, Methodology, and Action Components
Description of Capstone Deliverable/ Artifact
Pregnant minority teens face the prospect of more adverse outcomes relative to their
white counterparts. Some of the reasons for these outcomes include limitations to accessing
healthcare, especially in the form of prenatal care (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2017),
the lack of social support and long-term life planning. The problems necessitate the
implementation of an intervention that effectively transforms the conditions for the
adolescents within this context.
To service MPTMs, the program will initiate a community-centered approach. The
community-centered approach promotes equity and increases people’s control over their
health and lives (South, 2015). The selected plan includes the community, stakeholder local
health care, educational, and governmental involvement. The network of agencies will
coordinate to improve MTPMs’ health outcomes in Lynchburg, VA. The community-centered
approach gathers assets within the community. Developments in the science of learning
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suggest that the degree to which environments are community centered is important for
learning (National Research Council, 2000).
Integrating a resilient approach that works within the community and include outside
resources, fits in the design model for MPTMs. The community-centered approach for their
health and well-being involves strengthening communities, volunteer and peer roles,
collaboration and partnerships, and access to community resources (South, 2015). Ultimately,
the purpose of enriching the life of MPTMs is to have them flourish and connect to the greater
part of the community through a family of community-centered approaches. See Figure 4, for
chart layout.
Figure 4: Community-Centered Approaches for Health and Wellbeing
South, 2015
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The community-centered approach allows evidence-based options in improving the
health and well-being of MPTMs. The approach promotes fairness among the participants and
increases their control over their health and lives (South, 2015).
Community-Centered Models
Community agencies and collaborations assist participants in reaching the outcomes in
the program’s objectives. Developing an effective community infrastructure for invention
requires features of communities and their organizations (Wandersman, 2003). Understanding
the dynamics of the collaboration, including knowing the science concept at the start is
important for implementation. Science broadens and improve our lives and expand our
imagination while liberating us from the bonds of ignorance and superstition (Wandersman,
2003). The importance of community-centered approach involves the union of community
and science. The quality of life in our community is influence by effective and efficient
functions of formal systems and supportive functioning of informal systems. (Wandersman,
2003). Again, the community is a place where individuals share in the importance of their
health and well-being. Community science places a great deal of emphasis on individuals,
organizations, and communities not being passive recipients of their environment; rather it
places importance on them being active and responsible and having rights and responsibilities
(Wandersman, 2003).
People within the community use their experiences and social connection to reach
others. Setting the platform for the development of an interdisciplinary community science
structure disrupts old norms. Important are norms for people learning from one another and
continually attempting to improve in a community centered environment (National Research
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Council, 2000). The community-centered approach is vital in strengthening the MPTMs as
well as people within the community.
Furthermore, vigorous pursuit of research and planning has ensured the reality of the
“Interdisciplinary Community Collaboration to Reduce Adverse Outcomes with Teen
Pregnancies” operation. The following is a depiction of the Interdisciplinary Community
Collaboration to Reduce Adverse Outcomes with Teen Pregnancies’ innovative “Shame Not
Mine” artifact along with details of the timeline, financial planning, evaluation methodology,
and communication plan. Also included is an analysis of potential obstacles for successful
implementation and ethical concerns.
Artifact: Shame Not Mine
The essence of the “Interdisciplinary Community Collaboration to Reduce Adverse
Outcomes with Teen Pregnancies” is creating an environment that encompasses the dialogue
of minority adolescent females, focusing on the pathways to their success. Bridging the space
between those who place greater emphasis on reducing teen pregnancy and the birth rate is
vital. NACCHO (2009) pointed out that advocates continue to focus on prevention with little
importance on providing services for pregnant and parenting teens creating a gap in practice.
The Shame Not Mine, is a 12-15-month pilot program, offering informative sessions to
MPTMs. The curriculum will include Self-esteem building, Financial literacy workshops,
Mentorship opportunities, Career exploration facilitation, and Developing life skills`. Also,
the program will offer lessons on Building trust within girl-adult relationships, fostering girls’
self-awareness, Service-learning projects, Academic enrichment Building leadership skills,
and Drug education programming- striving for the improvement of health and life outcomes
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for their children as well as themselves. Also, this program is designed to engage areas of
adolescents’ risky behaviors, overcoming shame, embarrassment, and stigmas that plague
adolescent pregnancy. Through engaging pregnant adolescents in sessions that encompass
methods on how to take care of their mind, body, and soul for better health outcomes. In an
informative program design geared to decrease adverse health outcomes. The assets within
communities, such as skills and knowledge, social networks, local groups, and community
organizations, are building blocks for good health (South, 2015). The artifact will contribute
to the life of the MPTMs and their community through improving health inequalities.
As such, the project goals include the provision of platforms where the voices of these
pregnant and childbearing teenagers are heard. At the same time, community frameworks are
established to reduce the common barriers to prenatal care access; including the provision of
information to the target population and the actual presence of trained health service providers
that serve the population (Akella & Jordan, 2015). The initiative also will consider extending
into the school environments in the future, where the continued enrollment of MPTMs is
certain.
Comparative Market Analysis
There are some current efforts across the United States to provide information and
resources for pregnant and childbearing teens, such as the AFLP PYD located in California.
The California Department of Public Health, Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health (MCAH)
made vast improvements with a formative evaluation of the AFLP PYD pilot that determined
the program's components, tools, and training are appropriate and effective (Office of
Adolescent Health, 2014). As mention previously, the AFLP PYD provide a youth
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development format along with providing life planning support. The objectives are reducing
repeat teen pregnancies while increasing educational advancement (Office of Adolescent
Health, 2014). In a like manner, the state of Virginia offers a program to assist young females
and males’ students who are pregnant or parenting young children under age five. The Offices
of Pregnant and Parenting Student Support (OPPSS), developed a peer mentor program which
enhanced efforts to identify and refer services for student-parents experiencing sexual assault,
intimate partner violence and stalking issues; and the development of a targeted public
awareness campaign to promote on-campus support programs for student parents (Office of
Adolescent Health, 2017). The students must be registered in college to attain aid under the
program.
The Interdisciplinary Community Collaborative to Reduce Adverse Outcomes with
Teen Pregnancies mentoring approach is revolutionary amongst other agencies that aid
pregnant and childbearing teens across the states. The curriculum’s model Shame Not Mine,
provides mentorship to teen mothers who are pregnant and childbearing to give them
emotional support and guidance in their time of need. The model will redirect the adversities
and bring improvement to the MPTM’s negative health outcomes. Thus, educating the teen
mother towards the importance of prenatal healthcare for her overall well-being. The entire
community will benefit from the successful outcome of the participants. Community
empowerment occurs when people work together to shape the decisions that influence their
lives and health (South, 2015). Due to the teen regaining her health and establishing her place
in society and contributing to her community.
Project Implementation Methods
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Taking into account that the implementation tactics often consist of methods for
sustaining and adopting interventions, health experts have recognized them as vital in
attaining a wholeness of evidence-based care. Therefore, executing approaches to overcome
obstacles and enhance the speed and efficacy of implementation is a great concern among
researchers (Eccles et al., 2009; Grimshaw et al., 2012). It is prudent to offer services that
focus on the needs of teens. The challenges of effective implementation call for the use of
multifaceted implementation strategies that combine strategies which are interwoven and
packaged as protocolized or branded strategies (Brownson, Colditz, & Proctor, 2018). ). The
proposed design will be in line with the Expert Recommendations of Implementing Change
(ERIC) to ensure clarity and sufficiency of the method adopted to implement the program
(Brownson, Colditz, & Proctor, 2018; Waltz et al., 2014). Therefore, utilizing ERIC will
assist in the flaws associated with most implementation plans affecting evidence-based
practice regarding the health of minority teen mothers in the community.
I. The collaborators will organize a group that entails administrators, intervention
developers, and outside consultants from the affected community and others who are
passionate to offer support to improve the outcome of minority teen pregnant mothers.
Recognition of other involved implementers into the strategic planning process will be
fitting. The team of collaborators, (representing public/private agencies & nonprofits,
faith-based organization, community members). Services are based on the needs and
an assessment conducted prior to the projectʻs beginning, existing assets and
expansion of assets in the future. The goal is to provide services to pregnant parenting
teens until their children enter the 1st grade (although parents will be invited to
continue their involvement/association with the program).
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II. Describing the vision for the initiative to the community. The implementers will use the
opportunity to inspire the community to articulate how they want things to be
introduced. During a workshop about the “ Interdisciplinary Community Collaborative
to Reduce Adverse Outcomes with Teen Pregnancies’ vision, the implementers will
capture the dreams for the target community such as decreasing rate of negative
pregnancy and birth outcomes among African American, Hispanic and Latina
adolescent girls. The success of the initiative will ensure healthy development for all
youths in Virginia. The strategy will emphasize on caring for MPTMs in the
community.
III. Stating the mission of the initiative which will include all the procedures and practices.
The collaborative’s mission is “Illuminating the pathway for health outcomes for
pregnant teens.” The initiative will describe its core functions and current activities as
well as programs such as training, advocacy, and support. Moreover, promote the health
of families through training residents and offering other important services to the
MPTMs.
IV. Stating objectives that the initiative should accomplish over a given time period. When
pursuing the step, the initiators will describe benchmarks to help the agency to assess
where they are currently and where they will be if the project remains successful.
Outlining the behavioral objectives that focus on changing social behaviors such as
educating adolescents on the importance of prenatal care. Finally, underlining
population-level objectives focusing on how modification in the behavior of an
individual would add up the effects for the community.
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V. Identifying approaches emphasizing on efforts of the “Shame Not Mine,” realizing
objectives and mission by acknowledging the targeted levels, the generality of the
strategy, environmental and personal influences, as well as behavioral strategies.
VI. Refining the plan of action from the collaborative by way of affirming specific
community systems. This will lead to accomplishing the goals and objectives of the
community collaborative. For each strategy, the initiative will recognize the structure
and community changes as modified practices and policies that target the MPTMs and
others associated with the program.
VII. The partners will stress on offering supportive services with the assistance of the
community members for approximately two years. Mobilizing the resources such as
funds, staff, and supporters, will make the training and provision of services to the
affected population practicable. The information should reach members of the
community to make the agency collaborative and inclusive.
VIII. Critical evaluation of suitability of activities or system changes that the organization
desire to implement. The practices should be sufficient, flexible, and cost-effective to
ensure that the initiative does not run out of finances.
IX. Implementation of the solution. Considering the changes that need priority. Identifying
those which are easier to implement as well as those that are important. Understand
changes that can inspire and boost participation in a bid to build integrity.
X. Finally, review the implementation strategies and proposed action plan at regular six
months interval.
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The proposed strategy is appropriate for the solution suggested to solve the problem
acknowledged in the community because it will involve the community in all aspects. As a
community-based collaborative, the strategy will help strengthen the support of the population
in realizing the objective of the initiative. Implementation strategies need to be completely
and accurately described, in detail sufficient to enable measurement and reproducibility
(Proctor, Powell,& McMillen, 2013).
The Interdisciplinary Community Collaborative to Reduce Adverse Outcomes with
Teen Pregnancies (Shame Not Mine curriculum) will have several phases with the goal of full
implementation within three years. There is a need for the deliberate transition from the
understanding of existing needs within the target population to the implementation of the
program and its evaluation. Developing strategies to overcome barriers and increase the pace
and effectiveness of implementation is a priority (Proctor, Powell & McMillen, 2013).
Stage 1- Needs Assessment
The project will begin through the conduct of a needs assessment of the environment of
this target population and associated agencies. There are agencies such as the House of Dawn,
AFLP PYD, and associations that already focus on the welfare of MPTMs in this
environment. Therefore, the assessment of their strategies and data forms the basis for the
identification of shortcomings in the current environment and the design of the intervention.
Clear-cut approaches for the needs analysis encompass the identification of the specific
needs of the MPTMs in the current context. The assessment includes possible perspectives on
fears surrounding their lifestyle as well as variations in the levels of self-esteem. Therefore, as
opposed to using the MSPSS questionnaire exclusively, an inclusion of focus groups for data
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collection becomes integral to this phase of the project. This latter approach incorporates
various dimensions of interest into the analytic process and the consequent pursuit of the
intervention.
Stage 2- Program Design
The identification of the elements of project development and their synchronization is
the most comprehensive component of the project. This is inclusive of the components such
as the acquisition of the commitment of at least two agencies to the pursuit of the welfare of
the MPTMs and their agreement to work on a single platform. Similarly, the development
involves the pursuit of establishing community outreach programs to reach the intended target
market towards the accomplishment of project goals.
A core component of this phase will be communication. The effectiveness of the
intervention is dependent on the capacity to reach agencies already involved in the welfare of
the MPTMs towards the creation of the new efforts. Similarly, practices surrounding the
intervention group are dependent on the effectiveness of communication within the outreach
programs. Consequently, comprehensive public communications are necessary, including
publications such as flyers handed out at institutions of learning, church and community
centers, as well as in the existing agencies.
The careful maintenance of correspondence exchanges between the agencies and the
coordination centers is integral to the support of the program in the long term. The
communication should also have opportunities for feedback, featuring mentorship meetings
and suggestion box. The approach ensures that all the parties involved as part of the
intervention, have their voices heard, and their contribution is maximized.
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Stage 3- Program Evaluation
The determination of the effectiveness of the program will depend on the final
evaluation. This will particularly benefit from measures established before the intervention
and the comparative position of the community outcomes in the long term.
Specifically, the program will ensure transformative performance that exhibits:
• Increased access to the prenatal health services for the MPTMs regardless of
their social and economic conditions
• Increased opportunities for the voice of the MPTMs, allowing the expression of
their concerns and fears in the course of their pregnancy
• Increased social support for the MPTMs, characterized by more adult insight
and information provision as well as interactive opportunities for mentorship
and access to continued education
The dimensions will require the application of similar measurement approaches to those
applied during the needs assessment. Comparison of the eventual position relative to starting
positions, as well as the position of the control group, is the measure of effectiveness
according to the evaluation.
Methods of Implementation
Instruments and Design
The project will use a random experimental design, seeking to assess the implications of
the intervention on the MPTM population. Therefore, the experimental design of choice
method, the pretest-posttest control group design. The design, therefore, requires the
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assessment of conditions before the intervention is administered and further evaluation after
the intervention (Salkind, 2013). At the same time, there is a control group in which the
community collaborative intends to assess the difference in outcomes as a result of interaction
with different conditions.
The experimentation approach implies the requirement for specific approaches to the
collection of individual participant data within the intervention population. In this perspective,
multiple instruments will assess the welfare of pregnant teenagers in the target population as a
basis for determining their welfare. As such, the measurement for these characteristics will
apply The Psychometric Characteristics of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social
Support (MSPSS) for the measurement of the self-worth of pregnant adolescents. The higher
scores on this scale are indicators of higher self-worth (Sajatovic & Ramirez, 2012). The
occurrence of the same score measurement at the beginning and end of the project provides a
basis for the needed analysis and evaluation of the comparable population. The pursuit of this
program is the establishment of a collaborative community initiative that addresses the
problems for MPTM.
Challenges of Implementation
While the components of the design reflect a relatively simplistic pursuit, there are
some challenges that could inhibit implementation. Primarily, funding and budgeting already
present as inherently problematic. Depending on the physical scope, the choice agencies
typically handle, the range of needs is likely to vary. This aspect implies fluctuations in the
budget requirements for this venture. At the same time, funding is dependent on external
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grants and donations. The willingness to offer funds and the capacity to access competitive
grants vary, making the projected available funding equally uncertain.
There are also some social and political constraints. Perceptions towards funds that
support pregnant teens tend to vary, with the view that such initiatives encourage careless or
risky sexual behavior (Akella & Jordan, 2015). At the same time, funding such as in the case
of the Teen Pregnancy Prevention program has encountered the effect of political
environments (Howard, 2017). The perspectives compromise the predictability of the
effectiveness of the approach. It is possible that the community support may be limited, or
even in opposition to the efforts, inherently compromising the entire project.
Financial Plans and Staging
The projections for the expected costs of the community collaborative are dependent
on the capacity to access funding from external sources. The stakeholders must be unyielding
when persuading the benefactors of the organization. We are relying on the staff to sign a
Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The
contributions of human and social capital are warranted to help the establishment in
maintaining personnel in an aggressive market. The in-kind services will be provided by
community partners, e.g., the faith-based organization will provide a space for
meetings/training/gatherings, and an office and one of the agencies will provide the staff for
trainers.
Consequently, the revenue will be generated through pursuing grants, from
government, private and corporate foundations, individual donors, and charitable gifts from
supporters. Appendix 1 provides a sample support letter for a sponsor. The project targets the
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application to the Pregnancy Assistance Fund. Under Public Law 111-148, this is a $25
million grant targeting community agencies for the provision of assistance to pregnant teens
and parents in the same bracket (Person et al., 2018). Depending on the success of the
application, funds in this amount present the possibility for the perpetuation of the
intervention within an extensive community scope. The Teen Pregnancy Program (TPP ), is a
program that prevents pregnancy in youth age 10-19 with an emphasis on disparities in teen
pregnancy and birth rates (OAH, 2017). The community collaborative will seek funding from
the PAF program and the TPP program. Uncertainties surrounding the Teen Prevention
Program under the current government prevent its inclusion as a potential source of funding
for the project (Howard, 2017). The collaborative is confident that it will receive $500,000
from the PAF program and $500,000 from the TPP program, thus tallying the total amount
received from government grants of one million dollars.
Obtaining a long-term grant is preferable, but funds in the short term are also
acceptable alternatives due to the presence of an annual budget. The community collaborative
will invite funding from private donors as part of the pursuit of more effectiveness and further
community involvement. The approach incorporates both personal donations as well as
corporations. The appeal for funding will also extend to dominant funders of charitable
organizations such as the Gates Foundation, Edna McConnell Clark and Robert Wood
Johnson Foundation. See the Interdisciplinary Community Collaborative to Reduce Adverse
Outcomes with Teen Pregnancies Table 1 for the projected year.
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Table 1. presents a summary of funds related to the first full year of operations.

Seeking funding from foundations that support teen’s health concerns such as
pregnancy and health outcomes for pregnant teens will be useful for the organization. The
community collaborative will continue to campaign for donations from donors.
The cost for the first full year of operation of ICC-RAOTP is 1,781,000. This amount
is comparative to the level of grants received from funders. The anticipated grant proposal
from the government, foundations, public and private would fully cover the first year of
implementation. The cost associated with staff and personnel: The ICC-RAOTP will employ
competent staff to assist the organization in assisting pregnant and parenting adolescents. The
skill levels will vary from nonskilled volunteers, masters’ degree, and retired schoolteachers
and military personnel. The staff will receive medical benefits and paid vacation after
working one full year.
The organization will employ six program evaluators, with an average salary of
$65,000 annually. This position will entail providing healthier services to the community. One
approach will be to examine the results of intervention and treatment plans for pregnant and
parenting adolescents. The work will be performed in an office setting, working with the
target population. The organization will employ counselors who have to attain their master’s
degree from accredited colleges. Each program evaluator must review reports and update the
ICC-RAOTP
48

status of participants. Keeping participant on target with their expected goals for attaining
expected health outcomes. Each program evaluator will record the process as participant
strive to make improvements towards life-changing outcomes as well.
Also, the organization will employ six retired high school educators for the GED prep
classes. The starting salary is $62,000 annually as the organization implements this program
salary may increase. The educators must have a bachelor’s degree and be proficient in math,
English, history, and science. This position will require the educator to be knowledgeable
about high school level courses.
The organization will employ one certified public accountant. The certified public
accountant will earn $77,000 yearly. The envisioned salary is high due to consideration of the
revenue and trying to keep fraud and misuse of funds to a minimal. The CPA will keep detail
records of our financial reporting and projected future goals. The organization will run on
well managed financial reporting outlook determined by the accountant projection for the
organization.
The organization will employ one information technology specialist. The starting
salary will be $60,000 for yearly. This position will keep the computers and other tech devices
in operational mode. The organization will employ one receptionist, yearly salary of $55,000.
In estimating the cost of the first full year of operation, ICC-RAOTP organization is looking
at $954,000 for staffing.
Other Spending Plans & Costs: The office space will be sub-leased within the
Cultural Alliance of Greater Hampton Roads office to keep the cost to a minimal. The lease
ICC-RAOTP
49

and utilities are included in the monthly lease as well as the office’s Wi-Fi connection. The
office space will be sectioned off with partitions.
Table 2. Represents a summary of the cost related to Staff & Miscellaneous items.

A year one budget for ICC-RAOTP has been created with costs broken down into
personal, non-personal, and indirect costs. Appendix 2 provides a full line-item budget and a
detailed budget narrative ICC-RAOTP.
Project Impact Assessment Methods
Assessment Metrics
The assessment of the project performance is inherently linked to the goals of the
project both from the community perspective and that of the MPTMs. Therefore, specific
metrics will be adopted, including:
• The number of pregnant teens that have contacted the agencies or associated
service providers within the target areas of the project
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• The numbers of pregnant teens seeking prenatal interventions as a direct result
of information from the intervention
• The patterns in the occurrence of adverse outcomes related to teenage
pregnancies within the target areas for interventions
• The patterns in parental or adult involvement in the mentorship programs that
are perpetuated by the agencies as part of the intervention
• School policies and practices relating to the treatment of pregnant teens within
the target intervention areas.

Stakeholder Engagement Plan
From the initiation, ICC-RAOTP is designed with the stakeholder in mind. The voice of
the stakeholder is the foundation of the collaborative. Stakeholder involvement is crucial to
the collaborative origin. Through quarterly meetings with the group, the ICC-RAOTP will
motivate potential business executives. The stakeholders will keep our focus on the different
perspective of our organization. The dimension of the organization design focuses on
choosing the skill sets and mindsets that align with the company’s strategy (Galbraith, 2014).
The stakeholders’ input is warranted in helping us not only achieve our goals with our
participants but to stay on task with a budget and giving us an insight on the revenue making
sure we are on target for the year. In turn, the network of government and community
agencies are deemed necessary to the implementation of the organization programs for the
MPTMs.
ICC-RAOTP
51

Communication Strategies and Products
A comprehensive plan will be devised to circulate the initiative to promote and market
the community collaborative. First, using an infographic design to place in community papers
to display the importance of adverse health outcomes in teen girls. See infographic in
appendices 3. Secondly, a short pitch to other collaborators in the format of a short napkin pitch
format to cover, need, approach, benefit, and competition. Thirdly, a presentation format for
stakeholders to understand the purpose of the program and the mission. See the video
presentation picture in appendices 5. The Interdisciplinary Community Collaborative to Reduce
Adverse Outcomes with Teen Pregnancies will focus on strategic intent to give teens who are
pregnant with better pregnancy and birth outcomes. As the collaborative grows, it will promote
and join other community resources programs to give the MPTMs a voice in throughout
communities.
Branding, Name, and Logo
All the Interdisciplinary Community Collaborative to Reduce Adverse Outcomes with Teen
Pregnancies’ communication will display a logo. Figure 4 exhibits the collaborative logo. The
hands depict how the interdisciplinary concept work. It
will take more than one branch of knowledge to
address adverse outcomes in MPTMs. Therefore, many
hands will help in the success of the collaborative. The
most effective approach to interdisciplinary study
enables students to build their own interdisciplinary
Figure 4:Interdisciplinary
Community Collaborative to
Reduce Adverse Outcomes
with Teen Pregnancies

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pathway by choosing courses which make sense to them (Appleby, 2015). As the MPTM bring
the important key, her voice to the initiative, the program envisions the lives of pregnant and
childbearing teens being impacted through this process.
Napkin Pitch
A vital form of communication for ICC-RAOTP is the napkin pitch. The napkin pitch
provides a simple, consistent format for summarizing and communicating new concepts
(Liedtka & Ogilvie, 2011, p. 208). The use of the napkin pitch will create a simple approach to
communicating the ideas of the collaborative to stakeholders. Translating the concept will let
the team work on multiple growth concepts in parallel to other elements (Liedtka & Ogilvie,
2011). It will target MPTMs and their unmet needs with an innovative approach bringing
effective communication to the community collaborative. The concepts of What if, What wows
(Liedtka & Ogilvie, 2011) with help the initiative explore multiple options in development. The
napkin pitch can be found in Appendix 4.
Personal Narrative and Video Presentations
The final communication strategies will consist of a video presentation, and a brochure
(see appendices 6) for interested parties to understand the purpose and the aim. ICC-RAOTP
will voice the concerns of the family of MPTMs. The voice of the family and those directly
impacted will be a powerful tool for the collaborative. Currently, we have recorded voices of
the MPTMs and others who were not privy to the initiative. To impact the various
stakeholders, we would like to launch a video presentation to communicate the before and
aftereffects of the collaborative.

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Ethical Considerations and Concerns
There are challenges with programs geared toward minority teens. Diversity of the
target population is essential to ensure effective programs for teens (Goesling et al., 2014).
Follow-ups of teens for long periods can prove to be difficult because of issues related to
confidentiality and privacy that the teenager wishes to have. Therefore, patience needs to be
exercised when evaluating ICC-RAOTP effectiveness. The knowledge of managing MPTMs
through collaboratives are somewhat limited. Research showed that few programs were
designed specifically for use with Latino youth and showed success (Goesling et al., 2014).
Furthermore, research, practice, monitoring, and evaluation of the project will be
necessary. No sole curriculum model is right for every population and setting. There is no
single recipe for success in improving teens health outcomes (Goesling et al., 2014). It will
be expected that the target audience of teens may present a potential resistance to the message
being conveyed. However, it can be solved by showing the advantages of changing their
attitude and behavior towards healthier outcomes in pregnancies by exercising responsibility
for one’s health.
Area V. Conclusions, Actions, and Implications
Summary of Project Plans
The exploration of this transformational venture towards improving the adverse health
outcomes for MPTMs produces several conclusions with implications for practice. Primarily,
the effort encompasses both the provision of information and resources essential to health care
service access. This aspect includes the collaboration of health care institutions that offer
ICC-RAOTP
54

prenatal services within affordable ranges; while diminishing judgment and encouraging more
visits by this population.
Often, teen girls who live in deprived neighborhoods have limited access to adequate
prenatal care. Research indicated that diminished access to prenatal services compromises the
quality of care in the course of pregnancy and escalates the critical incidents during this
period (Coley et al., 2016). This limitation in access starts from the associated costs of
healthcare in the society, and the consequent unaffordability, alongside the lack of
information on the value of seeking these services for pregnant teens. The increase in
information on the value of prenatal care and the expansion of the available service providers
significantly diminishes the shortfalls in service provision.
At the same time, The Interdisciplinary Community Collaboration to Reduce Adverse
Outcomes in Teen Pregnancies will transform the outlook of the target population. This
community collaborative will increase the opportunities for the youth to voice their opinions,
thus, granting them a more active role in their healthcare. The increase in voice and viewpoint
allows the expansion towards incorporating the views of teenage fathers and their
involvement in this process, as the timetable develop. While the health problems manifest
most clearly among the mothers, the teenage boys facing the prospects of being fathers also
deserve a voice (Akella & Jordan, 2015). Subsequently, this aspect of the program offers the
opportunity for the tackling of questions and concerns by this population regarding their role
in fatherhood and towards the prevention of repeated pregnancies. The collaborative should
also facilitate the reduction of negative outcomes associated with misinformation in the
course of teen pregnancy. Intrinsically, this project is an overall transformation to the
ICC-RAOTP
55

suppressed and misinformed target population towards comprehensive health care pursuits in
pregnancy.
Current Practice Context for Project Conclusions
Most importantly, the collaborative nature of this project creates an opportunity for
increased social support towards pregnant teenage mothers in minority populations. Part of
the collaboration features a mentorship program, indicating participation by both the mentors
and mentees. The social support diminishes stigma associated with teenage motherhood,
granting the parents the capacity for further reaching economically and socially towards a
more promising future (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2017). At the same time, other
associations are increasingly targeted as opposed to being generalized in the program.
Pregnant teens within this population with specific concerns gain the opportunity for
experienced insight into handling their health challenges and the required medical and social
strategies to avoiding adverse health outcomes. The increase in adult’s insight and
information provision, the collaborative not only transforms conditions of current parenting
but also offers direction to prevent the perpetuation of the cycle within the community.
Therefore, the project creates a framework for not only improving individual health
outcomes but also for the achievement of overall social transformation. In looking at the
presence of prenatal services for the population, the capacity for the reduction of adverse
health outcomes in the course of pregnancy and birth increases. Nevertheless, the multifaceted
approach of this project ensures that shortcomings emanating from the social conditions of the
MTPMs are also addressed within the same context. The provision of health care services in
the absence of sufficient social supports is unlikely to accomplish the desired change
ICC-RAOTP
56

(American Academy of Pediatrics, 2017). Consequently, the project accomplishes a
comprehensive collaboration towards the establishment of social structures that perpetuate the
change within the healthcare contexts. The approach, therefore, recognizes the value in
eliminating social challenges for the improvement of healthcare conditions.
This collaborative project meets the goals of promoting health, the prevention of
adverse outcomes, and the prolonging of life among MPTMs in the community. At the same
time, it facilitates the accomplishment of improved social conditions for the target population
towards health care goals in the long term.
Project Implications for Practice and Further Action
The project undertaking emphasizes the need for a community-based approach towards
MPTMs’ healthcare practices. As the current practices continue evolving, implementation can
be improved through better provider training, patient feedback, and monitoring mechanism in
person-centered care (Public Health Foundation of India Report, 2017). The evidence of
social determinants contributing to the prevalence of health issues facing communities creates
a need for interventions that address these social factors. Initiatives require multifaceted
approaches that incorporate the participation of multiple individuals and institutions in society
towards accomplishing a complete transformation (Assini-Meytin & Green, 2015). The
approach should guide future quests in healthcare targeting the reduction of notable adverse
outcomes reported within the target populations. Failure to incorporate a collaborative
element diminishes the chances of success in individual health interventions.
The “Interdisciplinary Community Collaboration to Reduce Adverse Outcomes with
Teen Pregnancies” project has implications for the design of services and provision for the
ICC-RAOTP
57

target population. Prenatal care is vital to the health of mother and child. Minority populations
report lower levels of access to healthcare services than the white majority due to socio-
economic challenges (Assini-Meytin & Green, 2015). The implication is that the current
design of contexts of care provision for this population fails to meet their specific needs,
diminishing their awareness of the need for prenatal care as well as the willingness to interact
with this context. This difference is pronounced in the context of teenage mothers and access
to prenatal care (Akella & Jordan, 2015). The provision of specific institutions or centers that
address prenatal care, encourage visits for information and service among the youth is
portrayed as overcoming this challenge. Changes are crucial for health service provision in
areas that are otherwise socially stigmatized. Introducing targeted care towards MPTMs could
diminish the fear and uncertainty that hinders the pursuit of healthcare towards more
comprehensive and positive health outcomes.
The project artifact gives weight to the outcomes of this project. The Shame Not Mine
curriculum outline provides the opportunity for the acquisition of feedback from the teenage
population through focus groups. It also stresses the strategies towards the provision of
accurate information and clarification of issues related to pregnancy and childbirth. Therefore,
while the project’s focus is on the prevention of adverse outcomes for MTPMs, it also plays a
significant role in offering information for the prevention of teenage pregnancies. The
capacities are crucial to the welfare of those that already have children as well as teenagers
that are at risk of repeat pregnancies and the consequent teenage parenthood.
The specific framework of the collaborative also gives prominence to the value of
information as part of the efficient healthcare provision. While there are multiple
interventions available for the resolution of healthcare problems, constraints in information
ICC-RAOTP
58

limit access to these services (Coley et al., 2016). The prenatal care for the MTPMs in this
context exemplifies this shortcoming and necessitates the need for clear information provision
to encourage healthcare. As a result, beyond healthcare services, significant financial and
methodological resources should be dedicated to the achievement and distribution of
information within the target community. This approach ensures the effectiveness of
healthcare provision among institutions, enabling the teen to seek care by the community, thus
easing the burden of adverse health outcomes.
Project Limitations
Nevertheless, the implementation of this project poses some limitations and risks. One
of the limitations is in the form of financing. The collaborative is dependent entirely on
donations and grants, which diminishes the certainty of receiving adequate funding. It is
possible, therefore, that the scope of the project may be difficult to accomplish and sustain. In
case the financial shortcomings manifest after the commencement of the project, there are
also possibilities that the participants will experience challenges to the continuance of
intended progress without the assistance of this project. Ebb and flow in economic capacities,
as well as the growth in the number of projects seeking funding from similar sources, could
compromise the ability to access the required finances. Consequently, financial limitations
could compromise the collaborative’s launching as well as the effectiveness of the project in
the long term.
The project also faces some social or ethical limitations. There are questions regarding
the acceptability of teenage pregnancy in today’s society and the role of organizations
offering support to teenage parents in perpetuating the phenomenon. The perspectives include
ICC-RAOTP
59

that the hardships stemming from teenage parenthood are a detriment to the continuance of
the cycle within the society (Howard, 2017). These views may limit the effectiveness of the
collaborative nature of this project. A significant component of the effort hinges on the
support of the adult population and social and educational institutions in the community. The
lack of this support, consequently, could severely hinder the long-term growth and success of
the project. Failure to acquire and sustain social support will also diminish the effectiveness of
the remaining efforts in the form of more available prenatal care and health information from
care institutions.
Recommendations
Based on the project outcomes, implications, and limitations, several recommendations
apply to the future work and resolution of the existing challenges. The financial perspective is
resolvable through the search for long-term financial planning and the pursuit for long-term
donors. The project, therefore, requires the establishment of a clear budget for expected
current expenditure and projections into the future. With the budget, it is possible to identify
possible sources of donors or grant from funding sources with a long-term focus. The
approach will diminish the potential for commencing the project and ceasing in the course of
completion due to the lack of funding. At the same time, a clear budget will facilitate the
future adjustment of activities according to financial fluctuations towards the maintenance of
efficiency. The approach diminishes the potential for project failure in addressing the health
outcomes of the MTPMs.
At the same time, it would also be essential to dedicate some resources towards the
conduct of a feasibility study and the establishment of a community outreach program. This
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initial effort will assess the attitudes of the community towards the prospective project and
offer a forum for the clarification of the project goals. The approach will also clarify some
misgivings associated with the goals of the initiative, such as its contribution to encouraging
teenage pregnancy. The effort is expected to diminish the potential opposition that could
derive from the community, facilitating the collaborative undertaking that is the structure of
this project.

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Yasmine, G., Kumar, A., & Parihar, B. (2014). Teenage pregnancy-its impact on maternal and
fetal outcome. International Journal of Scientific Study. 1. 9-13.
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Appendices
Appendix 1: Sponsorship Letter
Appendix 2: Line Item Budget
Appendix 3: Infographic Poster
Appendix 4: Napkin Pitch
Appendix 5: Video Presentation Picture Example
Appendix 6: Sample Brochure

ICC-RAOTP
71

Interdisciplinary Community Collaboration
to Reduce Adverse Outcomes with Teen
Pregnancies

August 26, 2019
Dear House of Esther:
Helping Hands is organizing an event in observance of National Teens and Children’s Health
Awareness Day. Our organization’s mission is Illuminating the pathway for healthy outcomes
for pregnant teens, in Lynchburg, VA. National Teens and Children’s Health Awareness Day.
Which will be held on September 13, 2019, is a national health observance supported by
Interdisciplinary Community Collaboration to Reduce Adverse Outcomes with Teen Pregnancies
(ICC-RAOTP ) and is dedicated to decreasing the prevention of adverse health and promotion of
good health for mothers and their babies.
I am writing this letter to invite you to be a Co-Sponsor or Supporter of this event! As a leader in
the community, your involvement with us in National Teens and Children’s Health Awareness
Day is an opportunity for your organization to receive exposure and to join other individuals,
organizations, and coalitions in our community to educate teens, parents, and guardians about
health issues, promote prevention efforts, and create and strengthen community partnerships.
The theme of “National Teens and Children’s Health Awareness Day 2019 is “Action Today,
Healthier Tomorrow.” This theme reminds us that simple, daily acts of prevention, like helping a
friend make positive choices or supporting a family member in need, can lead to healthier lives
for each of us today, and stronger, happier communities, tomorrow.
In observance of National Teens and Children’s Health Awareness Day, Helping Hands will be
holding a 5k race. The purpose of this event is to raise funds for teens. Community sponsors are
the primary source of funding for this event and will help ensure its success. You can provide
support in the following ways:
• Be a Co-Sponsor or Event Supporter through a monetary donation. Your company logo
will be placed on materials to promote the event.
• Participate on our planning committee.
• Volunteer at the event.
Sincerely,
Suzette Douglas-Jones, Founder
Appendix: 1
ICC-RAOTP
72

Helping Hands
5k Race
Held in Observance of National Teens and Children’s Health Awareness Day, 2019
September 13, 2019
Please consider the following ways you can make the launching of the Interdisciplinary
Community Collaboration to Reduce Adverse Outcomes with Teen Pregnancies a success!
Deadline for sponsorship: September 13, 2019
Please provide:
HOUSE of ESTHER’S
Corporate Sponsor $ [INSERT AMOUNT]

Company name/logo displayed at events
Company name/logo mentioned in all advertising
[INSERT OTHER FORMS OF RECOGNITION, E.G., THANK-YOU AD IN LOCAL NEWSPAPER,
ACKNOWLEDGMENT ON ORGANIZATION WEBSITE and SOCIAL MEDIA PROFILES]

Event Supporters, please indicate:

INSERT FORMS OF RECOGNITION, E.G., THANK-YOU AD IN LOCAL NEWSPAPER,
ACKNOWLEDGMENT ON ORGANIZATION WEBSITE and SOCIAL MEDIA PROFILES

$300 $250
$100 $75
$50
[ ] Become a corporate sponsor or event supporter
[ ] Sponsor
[ ] Participate on planning committee
[ ] Volunteer at event
ICC-RAOTP
73

[ ] Sponsor/Host event at your facility

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--
Business Name:
________________________________________________________________________
Contact Name:
_________________________________________________________________________
Contact Phone:
_________________________________________________________________________
Contact E-mail:
_________________________________________________________________________

Please e-mail your company artwork to suzetted@usc.edu.
Please mail this completed sponsorship form to Helping Hands, 123 5
th
Street,
or e-mail it.
Donations of raffle prizes are welcome, too.
We gladly accept any items you can provide.

Thank you for your support.

Suzette Douglas-Jones, Founder

Illuminating the pathway for healthy outcomes for pregnant teens.

ICC-RAOTP
74

Appendix 2: Line Item Budget

ICC-RAOTP
75

Appendix 3: Infographic Poster

ICC-RAOTP
76

Appendix 4. Napkin Pitch

ICC-RAOTP
77

Appendix 5: Video Presentation Picture Example

ICC-RAOTP
78

Appendix 6: Sample Brochure

Abstract (if available)

Abstract Pregnant minority teens experience a higher rate of adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes than their White counterparts. Most attention focuses on the birth rate outcome of minority teen girls in the United States. However, other concerns, such as their mental well-being and the potential adverse outcomes stemming from lack of prenatal care, remain unaddressed. Teen parents need supportive programs and services in order to reduce the associated health risks. The current project expounds on a collaborative project that addresses the unique needs of pregnant and parenting minority teens. The focus is on the improvement of health and life outcomes for their children as well as themselves. The project will maximize on collecting data using focus groups, which will also be instrumental to the incorporation of the “Shame Not Mine” initiative. Further longitudinal data measurement will allow comparisons of data outcomes before the project and afterward with a focus on adverse outcomes in teenage pregnancies. As such, the multifaceted effort ensures that young parents have the capacity to access information on prenatal care as well as health services. It also emphasizes the involvement of multiple stakeholders within the entire community, including specific institutions and individuals. The interdisciplinary community collaborative acts as a source of social support and direct mentorship for the pregnant and parenting minority teenagers. The project is expected to diminish the stigma associated with teenage pregnancy, promote positive health outcomes, and perpetuate better life outcomes among pregnant teens within the minority population.

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Asset Metadata

Creator Douglas-Jones, Suzette Michele (author)

Core Title Interdisciplinary community collaborative to reduce adverse outcomes with teen pregnancies

School Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work

Degree Doctor of Social Work

Degree Program Social Work

Publication Date 08/23/2019

Defense Date 07/26/2019

Publisher University of Southern California (original), University of Southern California. Libraries (digital)

Tag adolescent pregnancy,adverse pregnancy,associated health risks,birth outcomes,challenges,collaborative,collaborative intervention,Community,community resources,impact minority pregnant teens,interdisciplinary community collaborative,life outcomes among pregnant teens,mental well-being,mentoring framework,mentorship,minority teen girls,OAI-PMH Harvest,personal outcomes and system barriers,pregnant and parenting minority teens,pregnant minority teens,promote positive health outcomes,reduce,social support,stigma,teen pregnancy,teen pregnancy stigmatizing,teenage parents,voice

Language English

Contributor Electronically uploaded by the author (provenance)

Advisor Lee, Nani (committee chair)

Creator Email suzetted@usc.edu

Permanent Link (DOI) https://doi.org/10.25549/usctheses-c89-217693

Unique identifier UC11673991

Identifier etd-DouglasJon-7808.pdf (filename),usctheses-c89-217693 (legacy record id)

Legacy Identifier etd-DouglasJon-7808.pdf

Dmrecord 217693

Document Type Capstone project

Rights Douglas-Jones, Suzette Michele

Type texts

Source University of Southern California (contributing entity), University of Southern California Dissertations and Theses (collection)

Access Conditions The author retains rights to his/her dissertation, thesis or other graduate work according to U.S. copyright law. Electronic access is being provided by the USC Libraries in agreement with the a...

Repository Name University of Southern California Digital Library

Repository Location USC Digital Library, University of Southern California, University Park Campus MC 2810, 3434 South Grand Avenue, 2nd Floor, Los Angeles, California 90089-2810, USA