Overview

The DECISIONS, CHOICES, & OPTIONS program has been operating in public and private high schools in Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina, Texas, and Kentucky since 2002.  The program is based on the curriculum guidelines and standards for the states in which we operate and is on abstinence/sexual risk avoidance curriculum.  The evaluation instruments reveal that students favorability toward sexual abstinence increases by 7% to 18% after participation in the program.  They truly do see, many for the first time, the very difficult nature of teenage pregnancy and why it should be avoided through abstinence.

Middle School Program

HEALTHY BOUNDARIES is a program that focuses on abstinence education by providing abstinence-based, medically accurate information to middle school students in grades 7-8. This presentation targets middle school students from community-based organizations, faith-based institutions, public and private schools, and minority populations on how to establish healthy boundaries in relationships, self-esteem, social media, and the options regarding an unplanned pregnancy, including parenting and adoption.

High School Program

An abstinence education and teen pregnancy prevention program is presented to these students, with the message of the importance of making healthy life choices for optimal success in life.  The goal of the program is to provide students and young adults with the facts about the educational, physical, and financial impact of both sexual activity and pregnancy through engaging and fact-based curriculum, prevention teams that have been thoroughly trained and current on the social and cultural messages of this age group, and relevant statistical data.  Students and teachers alike report that the DCO program is the only one that accurately explains and presents the hard choices facing teens in an unplanned pregnancy, the outcomes of each choice and long-term impact of these decisions. High school dropout rates, income potential, career outlooks, and future marriage are all impacted by teen sexual activity.

The DCO Exposed Program

The newest addition to the DCO curriculum is the EXPOSED presentation that covers the college culture of "hooking up" and the consequences that occur when students are engaging in that culture on a daily basis. The curriculum covers the college hook-up culture, what it is, how it is affecting the average college student and how to combat the hook-up culture. Like in the high school program, this presentation covers all three options that a students may face in an unplanned pregnancy including parenting, abortion, and adoption.

The Cost of Teen Parenting

The Cost of Teen Parenting curriculum covers the financial impact of an unplanned pregnancy. Students will develop an accurate assessment of the cost to raise a child. Students will understand the financial impact of teen pregnancy on the mother, father, extended family, community, and nation.  Also, students will have a clear understanding of how teen pregnancy reduces educational achievement both now and in the future. This presentation is eye-opening for teens to really see the overall cost of being a parent.

CURRICULUM FACT SHEET


What are the goals?

• Students will develop and accurate assessment of the cost to raise a child.
• Students will understand the financial impact of teen pregnancy on the mother, father, extended family, community, and nation.
• Students will have a clear understanding of how teen pregnancy reduces educational achievement both now and in the future.

How is the presentation structured?

• Interactive lecture
• Brainstorming
• Group discussion
• Small group activities
• Video and music clips

Who is the target audience?

• This presentation is structured to be used in high school in personal business/finance classes.
• This material may also be a valuable tool in Family and Consumer Science courses, as well as Child Development courses of study.
• Suitable for use in public and private schools with students, ages 14-18.

How long is the presentation?

• This is a one-day classroom presentation and lasts 80-90 minutes.
• If in a 50-55 minute class period school, the program may be divided into a two-day presentation.

To Schedule a Presentation...

...please contact Blount County Sav-a-Life at 205-625-5416 or use the handy CONTACT US form at the bottom of the page and someone will get back with you as soon as possible.