DHS November lecture examines Oklahoma's high teen birth rate

Oklahoma City -- Oklahoma’s teen birth rates are among the highest in the nation.  Investing in teen pregnancy prevention makes good sense and pays big dividends for our state’s workforce and economic prosperity.  The Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS) explores the issue and hosts a panel discussion on teen pregnancy in the next installment of the 2014 Fall Lecture Series.  It will be held Thursday, November 6 from noon to 1 pm at the Oklahoma History Center, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive in Oklahoma City.

The Carrera Program will be presented by Alice Blue from Tulsa’s Community Service Council. This intensive prevention program provides a full array of services, from tutors to mental health counselors and health care.  The Carrera Program works to develop a teen’s capacity and desire to avoid pregnancy.  Compared with national figures, Oklahoma seventh graders in the program were significantly less likely to have had intercourse, physical fights, carried weapons or smoked cigarettes.

Another panelist will be Sharon Rodine, Youth Initiatives director at the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy.  Rodine has worked in that position for nearly 20 years and has developed initiatives, research projects and national partnerships to promote youth development and teen pregnancy prevention.  She will address both national and state data related to teen pregnancy.

Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) employees Amy Terry and Ayesha Lampkin will report on funding for supporting teen pregnancy programs.  Together their work at OSDH provides training and technical assistance to stakeholders across Oklahoma on adolescent health issues.

The Practice and Policy Lecture Series has been developed to provide thought-provoking presentations on Oklahoma's emerging policy issues, trends and best practices. The series is sponsored by the DHS Office of Planning, Research and Statistics and the University of Oklahoma Center for Public Management with the goal of providing the best educational opportunities available in a forum that offers participants an opportunity to question, share and learn from each other. 

All lectures are free and open to the public. For more information contact the Office of Planning, Research and Statistics at (405) 521-3552 or visit the Practice and Policy Lecture Series website. 

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