Saturday, April 27, 2024
4/27/2024
Fact Forward’s project, Expanding Opportunities for Teen Mothers and Families in South Carolina, aims to reduce rapid repeat pregnancies (i.e., a pregnancy within two years of last pregnancy) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among teen mothers (15-19) in high need zip codes located in the counties of Aiken and Anderson, South Carolina (SC). Both Aiken and Anderson have teen birth and STI rates higher than the nation. Fact Forward will partner with local agencies, Helping Hands in Aiken County, and the United Way of Anderson County (UWAC) to implement the evidence-based program, AIM 4 Teen Moms (AIM4TM). The goals of AIM4TM are to 1) reduce rapid repeat pregnancies, 2) increase consistent contraceptive use, and 3) promote economic stability among young mothers. Helping Hands and UWAC will employ a Community Health Worker to replicate AIM4TM with a minimum of 222 recent teen mothers from high need zip codes over the three-year project period. Fact Forward will contract with the University of South Carolina’s Center for Applied Research and Evaluation (CARE) to perform systems mapping within these counties to apply a systems thinking approach to identify leverage points that can influence positive outcomes for teen mothers and their families. Systems mapping will be performed annually with expectant and parenting teen mothers, their peers and social support networks (parents and other trusted adults), and community service providers (e.g. healthcare, social services, education, childcare, clergy/faith) in Aiken and Anderson County. Over three years, 18 system mapping sessions will be performed. Systems mapping data will help Fact Forward, in coordination with state and local partners, obtain an awareness of the components of the systems and related leverage points that could be intervention opportunities to address the needs of expectant and parenting teen mothers and families. Fact Forward will expand on existing partnerships with Children’s Trust of SC, the SC Center for Fathers and Families, and the SC Department of Social Services to establish a state leadership team (SLT) that will include other state and non-profit agencies that work with young families. This team will lead the state’s effort to identify and implement strategies grounded in Aspen Institute’s two-generation (2Gen) approach that encourages and supports young mothers and families. Results of systems mapping will be integral in the development of the SLT strategic plan, increasing awareness of the 2Gen approach, and piloting the 2Gen approach. System mapping results will also be used by Fact Forward to develop seven trainings to reach each sector within the Office of Population Affairs’ (OPA) Think. Act. Grow. (TAG) playbook. TAG trainings will be held annually in Aiken and Anderson County with 280 participants with an expected reach of 840 over three years. Participants will consist of parents/caregivers, faith leaders, and health and social service providers, out-of-school and community-based programs, and workforce development professionals. The TAG trainings will challenge participants to examine current practices and make strategic changes that support optimal health for teen mothers. Fact Forward requests $2,464,650 over three fiscal years to implement the “Expanding Opportunities for Teen Mothers and Families in South Carolina” project to replicate AIM4TM with a minimum of 222 teen mothers, train 840 participants through TAG trainings, perform 18 systems mapping sessions, and host 12 SLT quarterly meetings.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
