Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Southern Regional Convention

1. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.Southern RegionalConvention Alpha Phi Alpha and the March of DimesWorking Together to Make a Difference for Our Babies March for Babies Project Alpha

2. "Children's talent to endure stems from their ignorance of alternatives." Maya Angelou

3. Male Teen Sexual Activity • In 2007 54.8% of males had sex as a teenager • 9.7% had sex before the age of 13 • 63.5% used a condom • 25.5% reported alcohol or drug use prior to last sexual encounter • 20.4% had sex with four or more persons Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2008). Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance?United States, 2007. Surveillance Summaries, June 4, 2008. MMWR; 57(SS-4);Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (2007). Youth Online:Comprehensive Results. Retrieved June 2008 from http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/yrbss/ Atlanta, GA:

4. Other Factors • 10.5% of teenage females have been physically assaulted by their boyfriends • 13.7% of teenage females were forced to have sex without their consent • In 2008 the number of reported STI’s in males ages 15-19 were 278.30 per 100,000 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2008). Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance?United States, 2007. Surveillance Summaries, June 4, 2008. MMWR; 57(SS-4);Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (2007). Youth Online:Comprehensive Results. Retrieved June 2008 from http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/yrbss/ Atlanta, GA: US Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention (NCHSTP), Division of STD/HIV Prevention, Sexually Transmitted Disease Morbidity for selected STDs by age, race/ethnicity and gender 1996-2008, CDC WONDER On-line Database, November 2009. Accessed at http://wonder.cdc.gov/std-std-v2008-race-age.html on Feb 25, 2010 10:40:55 PM

5. Teen Pregnancy Source: National Survey of Family Growth, 2002

6. Prematurity and Birth Defects • The average rate of pre-term births in women under 20 was 14.9% (all women 13.7%) • Very pre-term births (less than 32 weeks completed gestation) was 2.6% (all women 2.1%) • Infant mortality (death within first year) was at a rate of 8.2 per 1,000 live births (all women 6.5) • 7.5% of live births occurred with late or no prenatal care (all women 4.7%) 2004-2006 Average National Center for Health Statistics / www.marchofdimes.com/peristats

7. Teen Dad’s Babies at Risk • Compared to babies of fathers age 20-29, those with teenaged dads were 15% more likely to be born prematurely and 13% more likely to have a low birth weight • Babies with teen fathers had a 22% higher risk to die in the first four weeks after birth • 41% increased risk to die in the period from four weeks to one year • 13% higher risk of a low Apgar score assessing physical condition after delivery Shi Wu Wen, Ottawa Health Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Human Reproduction, 2008

8. Social Factors • Low income • Poor education • Late or no prenatal care • Domestic violence, smoking, substance abuse

9. Attack Teen Pregnancy Above the Belt • Attack lack of self respect/respect for others • Attack hopelessness • Attack family/community environment • Attack self doubt

10. Focus • Positive behaviors • Finishing school and being a provider • Dare to dream • Living a life that does not include child

11. Impacting Behavior • Preemptive programs • Provide a safe environment • Longitudinal in nature • Relate to them on their terms

12. Impacting Behavior • Make if fun and interactive • Provide insight on teen pregnancy • Legal ramifications and parental rights • Create mentoring opportunities/life skills

13. Above the Belt Approach • Sharing Knowledge – combating ignorance and fear with factual information. • Changing Attitudes – providing motivation toward positive changes in sexual behavior. • Providing Skills – creating a sense of empowerment and self esteem.

14. Above the Belt Approach • Choices • Decisions • Consequences • Responsibility

15. Project Alpha • Responsibility, Respect and the Role of Males in Relationships • Adolescent Pregnancy and Fatherhood • Protecting Yourself and Your Partner • Sexually Transmitted Infections • Intimate Violence in Relationships

16. Keys to success • Stable • Nurturing • Supportive • Listen • Encourage • Knowledgeable • Honest • Sharing • Sincere

17. Implementing Project Alpha • Project Alpha Week - 2nd Week of November • Do your homework as it relates to issues facing youths in your community. • Make the commitment. • Develop partnerships. • Facilitators vs. Speakers. • Publicize your program. • Implement Program. • Evaluate success. • File your report!!!

18. Implementing Project Alpha • Maximize your relationship with your March of Dimes partner. • Develop a grant writing team. • Develop a public relations committee. • Serve on your local MOD Board.

19. "If knowledge can create problems, it is not through ignorance that we can solve them." Isaac Asimov

20. Ways to Improve • Newsletter to share best practices. • Regional Conference Calls to stay on task. • Suggestions