Multnomah County Awarded $6.25 Million To Help Combat Teen Pregnancy

Thursday, July 09, 2015

Robby Davis, GolocalPDX Contributor

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Adolescent Health has awarded Multnomah County $1.25 million a year for 5 years in order to help combat teen pregnancy. This grant was given in order to replicate effective, evidence-based programs in middle schools, high schools and culturally specific community-based settings.

This grant will serve more than 12,000 young people in specific geographic areas and allow key community partners to work to reduce some of the cultural disparities in teen pregnancy.

In Multnomah County American Indians, Alaskan Natives, African Americans and Latinas are the most at-risk for teen pregnancy. These same ethnic groups also experience higher numbers for other risk factors such as STDs, socioeconomic disadvantages, educational attainment and a lack of positive youth development opportunities and support.

“We are thrilled to enter this collaborative project focused on healthy sexuality education and violence prevention by teaching our Native young people how to make the best decisions for themselves,’’ said Matt Morton, executive director of the NAYA Family Center and member of the Squaxin Island Tribe. “Our youth need factual, science-based information delivered to them by people who they can trust and reflect their cultural values and background."

Multnomah County will partner with school districts, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Portland Metro, Latino Network, Native American Youth and Family Center and Self-Enhancement Inc.

Related Slideshow: Mum’s the Word: Parenting in Sickness and in Health

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Do your best to explain to your child what’s going on with you. This applies to whether you’re sick physically or emotionally. I recently went through a pretty low time emotionally. I couldn’t hold back the tears in front of my daughter. Instead of being ashamed, though, I decided it’d be a good time to talk about emotions with Lia.

As she patted me on the back saying, “Poor poor, Cinderella,” (yes, my daughter is a little odd sometimes) I explained to her that I wasn’t mad or sad at her. She immediately smiled, saying, “You’re not?”

I’m sure she still didn’t totally understand the situation. However, she did understand the most important part of what I was trying to convey: she had absolutely nothing to do with my unhappiness.

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Let them “nurse” you. Kids love to be involved. So when you’re sick, tell them they can help you by rubbing your back or bringing you a blanket. The “responsibility” reminds them that they are important. Additionally, who doesn’t want a free a back rub?

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Ask for help. There’s not a lot of exposition needed here. If you have friends or family near by, don’t hesitate to ask…or even beg for help.

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Rest. It’s hard to take a break from things when you know that you’ll have to get around to finishing them sooner or later. But when your body is sick, it’s time to stop being heroic. Go to bed with your little one and get the sleep that your body is literally aching for. For the sake of your little one and yourself, put away the vacuum or whatever it is that your holding onto, and get some sleep.