Long Beach Jordan High School Jordan W.R.A.P. Teen Mothers Program

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Long BeachJordan High SchoolJordan
W.R.A.P.Teen Mothers Program

• By Candace Meehan
• Program Director
• cmeehan_at_lbschools.net

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Background

• Funding source ASSETs Grant (District run
  program).
• Jordan WRAP Program will be in its 10th year this
  year so we have had time to establish new
  innovative programs.
• We have provided a teen mothers program on and
  off as needed within those 10 years.
• This upcoming year we will launch a peer
  mentoring program with our teen mothers and our
  Xi Sisters Leaders.

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Types of Programs Provided by Jordan WRAP
Omega Brothers Male Leadership Program
Cupcake and Cake Decorating Program
Jordan WRAP Leadership Camp Retreat
Pacific Islander Dance Program
Latin Dance Program
GSA Making Posters for No Name Calling Week
Xi Sisters Female Leadership Program
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Mentor Program
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Extra Stuff
Team Building Activities
Pumpkin Carving
Service Projects Spirit of Christmas event for
victims of Domestic Violence
BBQs and Outings Park Time
College Tour CSU Fullerton and USC
Service Project Miller Children's Hospital LB
10th grade Youth Summit
Human Relations Building Bridges Camp
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Why we started a teen mothers program at jordan

• I personally was a teen mother who dropped out of
  high school in 11th grade and had a child with
  special needs when I was 17 years old, but
  managed to continue on to college and get my AA
  Degree in Human Services, BA Degree in Sociology
  and Masters Degree with P.P.S. Credential in
  Counseling.
• There is a huge need at our school and in our
  community (my experience in recently going to a
  free clinic there were tons of young girls in
  there!!!!! TONS).
• Programs and Resources for pregnant teens are
  dwindling.
• Prevention VS Intervention

Funding gets cut because programs are working--
or prevention and interventions stop lack of
support
Epidemic is high
Prevention or Intervention Education
Epidemic is high AGAIN or worse
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Getting Started

• Recruit your teen mothers
• Work with school nurse to identify them.
• Put flyers and posters up and in Teachers
  Mailboxes.
• Email Counseling Team.
• Have student leaders put out the word.
• After Identifying them
• Meet one on one with each person.
• Do an orientation type meeting to get them
  interested.
• Highlight all of the incentives (whats in it for
  them?).

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Incentives

• For each meeting they attend they will get a
  ticket (dollar) after ? meetings they get a pack
  of diapers and wipes and can pick out of the
  bucket for baby supplies.
• Getting your incentives
• Purchase Diapers and Wipes through grant
• Do a baby supplies drive at the school (student
  leaders can do this).
• Teachers and Staff to donate.
• Asking community to donate. (I once got a
  donation of 25 car seats from the city of Long
  Beach).
• Do one or more baby shower celebrations.
• Food
• Make sure there is food/good snacks at every
  meeting (They are hungry)

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Collaborations / staff

• At least one consistent person needs to run it
  (whether it is run by one of your staff or if you
  bring in an agency to run it). We have done it
  both ways
• That person needs to make reminder phone calls
  for each meeting and also frequently meet one on
  one with each participant (this ensures their
  continued participation).
• Collaborate with community agencies to present
  topics and bring resources and goodies.
• Collaborate and bring on school day staff to
  present topics and provide resources (this
  ensures buy in with school).
• There may be some reluctance with school staff
  (be patient).

• Collaborating Community Partners
• California Families in Focus
• City of Long Beach
• Women Shelter of LB
• Interval House
• Helpline Youth Counseling
• Casa Youth Shelter
• Human Dignity Program
• Youth Opportunity Center
• Workforce Development Office
• Long Beach City College
• Cal State Long Beach

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Mentoring Component

• Xi Sisters Leadership Program (40 girls in this
  program)
• Girls will serve as peer mentors and will come to
  weekly meeting with teen mom.
• Girls will be paired up with one teen mom to
  serve as peer mentor for the year and will meet
  on their own with them weekly.
• Those girls NOT peer mentors will babysit the
  children in a room nearby when teen mom is in the
  meetings.
• Xi Sisters will get stuff donated for the
  program.
• Peer mentor will help with tutoring and getting
  their mentees work when they are absent.

Meeting with Mentors
Relaxation session with Mentors
Baby Sitting
Picnic at the park
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Why this Model works

• Teen Mothers feel connected to school and the
  program. (Better chance of success)
• Education and Resources are provided.
• Mentors are provided for support.
• Teen does not feel alone.
• We continue to push them forward.

" A great fighter is not necessarily one who won
the battle but one who never gave up, despite the
wounds and struggles."
" The task ahead of you is never as great as the
power behind you."
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Why I continue to do what I do Because I get
notes like these
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Conclusion

• There needs to be a strong teambuilding/trust
  component filled with activities that promote
  this.
• There needs to be a variety of topics.
• There needs to be deliberate opportunities for
  them to get to know their own selves.
• There must be opportunities for future planning.
• They must feel connected to the program in order
  to keep them coming.
• There will be lots of setbacks, dont get
  discouraged when your program dwindles down to
  two. (Childbirth, move away, low interest, family
  issues, transportation issues, etc).

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Contact Information

• Candace Meehan
• M.S. Counseling P.P.S.
• Jordan WRAP Program Director
• Long Beach Jordan High School
• [phone] Ext. 2139
• cmeehan_at_lbschools.net
• Like our Jordan WRAP Page on FACEBOOK
• LIKE ME on Facebook Candace Meehan