Orange County Grand Jury
• 2007-2008
• Agency Response
Response to:
Hate: What is Orange County Doing About It?
What is Orange County Doing About Teenage Pregnancies?
⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings and Recommendations 2 findings
F1
The Cal-SAFE program which is offered by some local high school districts, is a very effective program that assists students who are pregnant and parenting. However, a reduction in funding for existing high school districts with Cal- SAFE programs is being threatened and there is no new funding for additional programs.
No recommendations for this finding
F2
Programs available to pregnant and parenting youth are currently coordinated by the Health Care Agency. However, most programs are not widely known or utilized by Orange County teenagers and/or their parents. Responses to Findings F-1 and F-2 are required from the Orange County Superintendent of Schools. Response to Finding F-2 is requested from the Orange County Health Care Agency RECOMMENDATIONS In accordance with California Penal Code sections 933 and 933.05, each recommendation will be responded to by the government entity to which it is addressed. The responses are to be submitted to the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court. Based on the findings of this report, the 2007-2008 Orange County Grand Jury makes the following recommendations: R- 1 That the Orange County Health Care Agency in connection with the Orange County Superintendent of Schools form and support a program that incorporates some of the integral parts of the Cal-SAFE program to continue assisting pregnant and parenting teens. 7
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
That the Orange County Health Care Agency and the Orange County Superintendent of Schools coordinate and publicize programs about pregnancy and parenting to high school students and their parents.
Conclusions 1
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CL1Teenage pregnancy is a continuing major problem in Orange County. This study identified many teenage parent and parenting programs that are available through the Orange County Health Care Agency, school districts and several community-based organizations. The Grand Jury found that the there are a sufficient number of programs but there is a lack of awareness by teenagers and their parents about the programs being offered. 6 It further found that the Cal-SAFE program offered by high school districts appears to be very effective in assisting pregnant and parenting teens and in preventing repeat unwanted teen pregnancies. However, a reduction in funding for this program is being threatened due to State budget cuts. Reducing funds for the Cal-SAFE program will have a negative impact on the program. Coordination of all programs is needed to assist pregnant and parenting teens and to provide human reproductive education. The responsibility for this coordination lies primarily within the Health Care Agency’s purview in collaboration with the Orange County Superintendent of Schools and/or the participating high school districts. Orange County needs a more aggressive campaign to publicize the programs available to pregnant teens and teen parents. Otherwise, Orange County will continue to deal with the negative impacts of teen pregnancies.
Agency Responses 1
Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.