Teen Pregnancy Prevention

Advisory Board

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Attendees:

  • Kristin Bennett, DHSS/Kids Count
  • Roberta Gealt, University of Delaware, CDAS
  • Frank Hawkins, AIDS Delaware, Call In
  • Marianne Letavish, DHSS/ Vital Statistics
  • Cynthia Madden, SBHC at Delmar High/Nanticoke Health Services, Call In
  • Christopher Moore, Christiana Care Health Services
  • Lucy O’Donnell, DAPI, Call In
  • Polly Pusey, Nanticoke Health Services
  • Loretta Taylor, DHSS , Porter State Service Center
  • Janice Taylor, DHSS, Child Support Enforcement Division, Call In
  • Dr. Julie Wilgen, University of Delaware, Dept. of Human Development & Family Services, Call In
  • Natasha Smalls, Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League ,Call In
  • Dr. Catherine Dukes, Planned Parenthood of DE, Call In

Staff

  • Fred MacCormack, DHSS/ DPH/ SBHC
  • Dr. Gloria James, DHSS/Bureau of Adolescent and Reproductive Health
  • Thowana Weeks, DHSS/ DPH/ SBHC
  • Carolyn Mailey, DHSS/ DPH/ SBHC

Call to Order

The Teen Pregnancy Prevention Board meeting was called to order at 9:35 a.m. on March 26, 2015. The option in lieu of attending was calling in which several members did utilize.

Welcome-Fred MacCormack

Mr. MacCormack greeted the members and thanked them for being present.

Introductions

The Teenage Pregnancy Prevention Advisory Board (TPPAB) meeting began withmembersintroducing themselves and their organization affiliation. Some of the members shared information as to things going on.

Summary of Bylaws-Loretta Taylor

Mr. MacCormack thanked the Committee for their hard work.

Ms. Taylor began by saying there were not too many changes in some aspects of the bylaws, but the terms of Officers the Co-Chair can serve up to 3 years as Co-Chair and assume the position of Chair at the end of the Chair’s term, so when that happens the new Chair will have to be elected or appointed by the Board. The Chair may continue to serve on the Board if their limit has not expired. The maximum term will be six years.

The Chair of the Standing and Ad hoc Committees must be a member of the Board, but other Committee members can be people from outside of the Board such as other stakeholders with the expertise depending on what is the subject matter. Committee members are expected to serve their two year term. She summed it up by saying that this will provide some understanding of roles and responsibilities so that they can go ahead and elect officers.

In conclusion, the Bylaws are not written in stone and can be adjusted as the Committee and purposes change. Mr. MacCormack put the Bylaws up for an acceptance which was seconded by Dr. Wilgen and Mr. Moore. The Bylaws were accepted.

Objectives for 2016-Fred MacCormack

Mr. MacCormack reminded the Board members that he sent them some information he gathered providing examples of objectives that others had created. Dr. Wilgen’s suggestions was focusing on the Adolescent Sexual Health Plan, and expanding it. Mr. MacCormack informed the members that updating this document is one of the responsibilities of the Board, and he does not want to abandon this responsibility. He continued by saying that this is something that the Board would have to vote on. Since the Plan was brought up, Mr. MacCormack asked the Board how they would see it expanding. Dr. Wilgen’s suggestion for a goal is to make sure the Plan is adopted and accepted statewide.

Ms. O’Donnell suggested that the Board seek ways to make sure the Plan is adopted or accepted widely. Dr. Dukes concurred with Ms. O’Donnell that since 2012, when the plan was written, it is probably time for a re-write and an update. She also suggested establishing a working group to focus on the revisions and goals. Ms. Taylor suggested getting stakeholder involved with disseminating and discussing the opportunity to use it. Holding info sessions to talk about it and what they are doing. Dr. Dukes also suggested looking at the structure of the Plan to make it more useable.

There was a brief discussion about the measurements for pre and post-test, and Mr. MacCormack gave a few examples such as the Wise Guys, Making Proud Choices, Be Proud Be Responsible, which are all evidence-based programs. Dr. Wilgen had questions about funding for the state Sexual Health Plan, and measures for success such as pre and post-test. Dr. Dukes informed the members that are a logic model and strategies to measure performance. What Planned PPDE has done is measure the success of implementation of activities they planned to do. Ms. Gealt stated that data can be retrieved from the school and health teacher surveys so they can look at what programs are going on in the schools. Currently, they are having a problem with the surveys because schools are backing out of YRBS surveys because they are feeling overwhelmed.

Objectives

  • Updating the Plan
  • Disseminating it

Mr. Moore volunteered to be on that Committee to revise the Plan. He wants to see it more user friendly, because the way it is now he would not read it if he were not on the Board. There were a few suggestions by members such as data from Kick’s Count, colorful illustrations, etc. Mr. MacCormack called for volunteers to be on the Education Committee, and Mr. Moore volunteered to be the Chair of that Committee which will be working on the Plan. Dr. Wilgen, Dr. Dukes, Ms. Taylor and Mr. MacCormack (will sit on the Committee).

Ms. Taylor would like to see the TPPAB work with the Health Planning Council in Wilmington. It was suggested by Ms. Bennett that Mr. MacCormack approach Mr. Kevin Massey as well as Dr. Karyl Rattay about this matter.

Other

  • Mr. Moore-5 year Tier Grant. Christiana Care Health Services is creating evidence-based groups for YRS. If funding is comes through for 4 programs the start date will be July 1st with notification June 30th.
  • Ms. Madden-Laurel, Delmar and Seaford only doing reproductive health.
  • Ms. Bennett-Position posted for Pyle. There is 2 or more candidate qualified. Invitation to Kicks Count at the Duncan Center. She will send the information out.
  • Ms. Taylor-Wilmington Health Planning Council Committee is not getting support.
  • Ms. Letavish-Vital Statics is working on 2012 data.
  • Ms. Shuba-They have started HIV services in December. They have twenty five kids on oral contraceptives. Their Nurse Practitionerat Shipley has gone over to Lake Forest.

Meeting Adjourned: 10:45 a.m.