March 05, 2010

By Natalie Neumann

Youth health organizations are outraged at the District's superintendent of education for not properly implementing a survey that could affect their funding. The responses for the Center for Disease Control's Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey weren't sufficient for accurate data. The CDC needed a 60 percent response rate but only received 36 percent. The survey includes information on student depression, seat belt and condom use. The office of the state superintendent of education is responsible for implementing the survey.

In a hearing discussing the office, D.C. Council Chairman Vincent Gray was not satisfied with the survey results. "The 36 percent response rate is not good." Joyce Fourth represents the D.C. Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. She says reliable data is the foundation for sound policy. "Without it, it is not possible to make good decisions," she says. She says the inaccurate data will make organizations like hers less competitive in winning grants and other funding. Some organizations accused the office of not making health a priority.

Kerri Briggs is State Superintendent of Education for the District. In a written statement she says student health is a priority and the office has taken steps to improve the next survey responses.

http://wamu.org/news/10/03/05.php

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“Everyone can help prevent teen pregnancy,” agree Nancy Keener and Anwan “Big G” Glover.  

You may recognize Anwan “Big G” Glover from his starring role as “Slim Charles” on HBO’s hit series “The Wire,” or you may recognize him as the leader of one of the most successful Go-Go bands of all time, Backyard Band. Wherever you knew him from before, Glover also wants you to know him for his dedication to making teen pregnancy a thing of the past.

A life long DC resident, Glover has seen first hand the effects that teen pregnancy can have on a community and has pledged to lend his celebrity to the cause of ending the cycle of teen pregnancy in the District.

“Too many young people are missing out on a good chance at life because they have kids too early”, says Glover.

Research says he’s right: Teen parents are less likely to graduate high school and pursue higher education. Furthermore the children of teen parents are more likely to become teen parents themselves. Anwan “Big G” Glover is convinced that everyone can help prevent teen pregnancy. At a recent DC Campaign city council briefing he said, “We all need to work together--- youth, parents, teachers and everybody---so we can make a change and cut that rate in half by 2015.“

Make sure you join Anwan “Big G” Glover and DC Campaign on Saturday, May 8, 2010 for Take A Step to Prevent Teen Pregnancy Walk and Rally.

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Councilmember Evans, in partnership with DC Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy (DC Campaign), was pleased to recently host a briefing on teen pregnancy in the District. Held in the John A. Wilson building, attendees heard first hand about the work of DC Campaign and how teen pregnancy affects young people in the city. The mission of DC Campaign is to improve the lives and well being of adolescents by reducing the teen pregnancy rate.

“I am especially appreciative of the efforts of DC Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy,” said Evans. “Their work in the District is vital and I am pleased we were able to bring them and their important message to the Wilson building.”

Also in attendance was actor/musician and DC native, Anwan Glover. Glover recently appeared in the HBO series, “The Wire” and is the well known leader of Backyard Band. When back in the District, Glover takes time to speak about the impact of teen pregnancy on the lives of both teens and adults.

“The latest teen pregnancy rates across the District indicate that there were 58 pregnancies per 1,000 girls age 15 to 19,” Evans said. “DC Campaign is well on its way in their efforts to reducing this number significantly through innovative programs and advocacy. We are pleased to support their efforts by getting others involved in their good work.”

For more information about or to donate to DC Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, please visit www.dccampaign.org.

 DC Campaign is going green.  Take a look at the FY 09 Annual Report.

    2009 Annual Report (1.50 Mb)