The
CARE Program is now in its 5th year of existence in Calhoun County.
The program originated as a request from the Board of Trustees to
have Memorial Medical Center's Education Department to develop a plan
to reduce teen pregnancies in our community. After a successful year,
MMC began receiving funds from the Texas Department of Health (TDH)
to maintain the program. Currently, TDH grant monies support the staff
and all programming with the hospital and community providing an inkind
match.
Signy Sizer, RN
is the Program Coordinator of CARE. Pattie Roeder is the Administrative
Assistant. This year they have a multitude of activities planned.
On campus school classes begin in 5th grade and continue through 9th
grade. A national guest speaker also addresses students, parents and
teachers.
After school activities
include a 5th grade girls program, a high school medical careers club
and the Baby Think It Over Program. The CARE staff participates with
several community groups to discuss and plan activities for youth.
Since the beginning
of the CARE Program the goal has been expanded to include encouraging
youth to postpone sexual debut until marriage. This is based on the
fact there are now 25 sexually transmitted diseases and adolescents
are the group most likely to contact a disease. Using condoms has
not been proven to significantly reduce the risk of transmitting these
diseases. The emotional impact of sexual activity among teens is another
concern. Seven out of ten teenagers states that they wish they had
waited for sex. Educating adults about the importance of teens delaying
sexual activity is a goal of the CARE Program.
In 1998, Calhoun
County was ranked 35th of 250 counties in teen pregnancies STDs. Currently
the county is ranked 81st. The lower the rank, the lower the teen
pregnancy and STD rate. The objectives of the CARE Program is to continue
to educate students and adults, lower teen pregnancy and STD rates
and delay the onset of sexual behavior. Continuing education for adults
will occur this year using the dynamic video series "Making Your
Kids Mind Without Loosing Yours." CARE also provides information
to adults and is able to make presentations throughout the community.
