DOCUMENT RESUME

ED 285 049 CE 048 261

TITLE Volusia County Single Parents Program (VCSPP). FinalReport from 1986 to 1987.

INSTITUTION Volusia County Schools, Daytona Beach, Fla.SPONS AGENCY Florida State Dept. of Education, Tallahassee. Div.

of Vocational, Adult, and Community Education.PUB DATE 87NOTE 21p.PUB TYPE Reports - Descriptive (141)

EDRS PRICE MF01/PC01 Plus Postage.DESCRIPTORS Adolescents; *Career Education; *Day Care; *Dropout

Prevention; *Early Parenthood; *One Parent Family;*Parenthood Education; Program Development; Records(Forms); Secondary Education

IDENTIFIERS Florida

ABSTRACTTile Volusia County (Florida) Single Parents Program

was developed to identify single parents who are potential dropoutsbecause of a lack of financial support for day care and to providethem with approved day care services. The program also features (1)cooperation between teachers and school guidance counselors toidentify and counsel pregnant and parent teens for the purpose ofgetting them into a vocational program and dissuading them fromdropping out; (2) provision of career awareness information andassessment services; (3) provision of financial support for childcare; and (4) instruction in such subjects as health, family livingand parenting, and child guidance and care. Thirty-four teen parentsare currently enrolled in the program, and 28 are on the program'swaiting list. (This report contains a list of program admissioncriteria, a discussion of coordinator functions, information on theday care offered through the project, a program application form,program eligibility criteria, various correspondence directed toprospective program participants and forms to be completed bystudents entering the program, a list of facts on teen pregnancy andteen parents, a list of consequences of teenage pregnancy, andobservations pertaining to the need for the program and itsoutcomes.) (MN)

************************************************************************ Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made ** from the original document. *

***********************************************************************

!

0

FINAL REPORT

SINGLE PARENTS OR HOMEMAKERSPROJECT NO. DVE 640-15570-7-1N01

FROM 1986 TO 1987

VOLUSIA COUNTY SINGLE PARENS PROGRAM (VCSPP)VOLUSIA COUNTY VOCATIONAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

P.O. BOX 1910DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA 32014

IRIS A. HELVESTONPROJECT DIRECTOR

U S. DEPARTMENTOF EDUCATIONOffice of Educational

Research and ImprovementED ATIONAL RESOURCES

INFORMATIONCENTER (ERIC)

This document h83 been reproduced asreceivec from the person or organizationoriginating itMinor changes have

been made to improvereproduction Quality

Points of view oropiniOnS stated in thiS dOCu-ment do not necessarily

represent officio,OERI position or policy

"PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THISMATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY

r /VTO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCESAFORMATION CENTER (ERIC)"

VOLUSIA COUNTY SINGLE PARENTS PROGRAM(VCSPP)

3

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

II. INTRODUCTION

III. METHODS

A. Program Criteria

B. Coordinator functions

C. Day Care Information

C. Forms

IV. RESULTS AND FINDINGS

V. CONCLUSION

4

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The Department of Vocational Educationexpresses its appreciation to those whocontributed to the Volusia County Single ParentsPograrn.

Assistance of DayCare Providers

Health and TeenReferrals

Research Materialand Conferences

Materials and Teen ParentInformation

Seminar Conferences

Information and ProgramMaterials

Guidelines and TeenParent Reports

Legislature Materialand Information

Research and Reports

5

Jo Shepherd,. CommunityCoordinator,United Child Care, Inc.Ormond Beach, Florida

Barbara Gamble, HealthEducation,Daytona Beach, Florida

Dr. Lucy Guglielmino,Research Director,Florida AtlanticUniversity

Helen Scott, DirectorMarch of Dimes,Daytona Beach, Florida

Phyllis Lyndon, ChairmanChildbirth and ParentingEducation Association

Melinda Klan, HRS,Daytona Beach, Florida

Judy Peterson, ExecutiveDirector, BETA,Orlando, Florida

Linda Merrell,Coordinator, Governor'sConstituency for ChildrenDaytona Beach, Florida

Barbara Gamble,Chairperson, CitizensConcern for AdolescentPregnancies

INTRODUCTION

The Volusia County Single Parents Program(VCSPP) is the first of a special program to besponsored by the Vclusia County School Boardfunded through a federal grant.

This program is designed to identify thesingle parents who are potential dropouts becauseof the lack of financial support for day care andprovide approved day care services for thoseselected students who otherwise would not continuetheir secondary educational program.

Strategies that are used to reduce thedropout rate include cooperative effort withschool guidance counselors to identify and counselpregnant and parenting teens who are potentialdropouts, with the aim of getting them into theprogram and facilitating completion of theireducation.

The program services are provided withoutbias or stereotyping.

The program is also designed to help singleparents focus on vocational training programs thatwill enable the student to find higher wageemployment. The program offers career awarenessinformation and assessment along with financialsupport for child care.

Also, the program provides the student withinstruction in such subjects as Health, FamilyLiving and Parenting, and Child Guidance and Care.

This program is intended to keep teenageparents in school and equip them to becomeself-sufficient in the work field as well as offerassistance in making decisions regardingeducational and personal choices. Referrals toother support services are provided to the teenparents based on individual needs.

At present, 34 teen parents are enrolled inthe program with 28 on the waiting list for the1987 fall term.

6

PROGRAM CRITERIA/COORDINATOR FUNCTIONS

Eligibility requirements for the VolusiaCounty Single Parents Program include:

- Participate on a voluntary basis

- Express interest in working towards ahigh school diploma

- Maintain code of school conduct anddiscipline policies

- Maintain satisfactory school progress

- Participate in a child developmentprogram

Maintain successful parti'ipation in avocational training program

- Adhere to the district absentee policy

- Obtain approval of parents and schooladministration

Students are identified through schoolguidance counselors, home economics teachers, orother in-school personnel. Agencies such asUnited Child Care, Inc., HRS, Volusia CountyHealth Department also make referrals. Programparticipants also recommend the program to friendswho in turn make personal contact.

Participants in the program to date includethirty-four teen parents ranging from fcurteen toeighteen years of age.

AGE:

UNDER 1616 -18

ETHNIC GROUP

WhiteBlack

0430

-2-7

0330

CAMPBELL CENTER

Lynette OglesbyTonya Vance

DELAND JUNIOR

Elona CockfieldSheridan SmithCharletha Ward

DELAND SENIOR

Tina CockfieldElona CockfieldStephine BurtonFrankie SolomonJennifer BoatrightPatronda Austin

MAINLAND SENIOR

Pearl WilliamsMelissa NealRoberta HarrisLisa JohnsMaria HarrisTemple WilliamsLisa Johns

PARTICIPANT/SCHOOL

-3-8

ORMOND JUNIOR

Mary Turner

PIERSON

Letitia Ross

SILVER SANDS

Patricia Williams

SEABREEZE SENIOR

Sophia SimsLatrina HughesLenore MaddoxSharon TolliverMargot JonesRamona TurnerPatricia Ford

SPRUCE CREEK

Stephine VreenBelinda King

Pam E.SmithNyoka Wilcox

TAYLOR JR/SR

Desserre Jones

COORDINATOR FUNCTIONS

The identified single parents desirous ofparticipating in the program is contacted by thecoordinator and an initial interview is conducted.The student is given detailed informationregarding the program and the eligibilityrequirements.

Evaluation is made by the coordinator foreligibility and referrals are given to thepregnant or teen parent regarding pre and postnatal-care. Other referrals are given studentsbased on individual need.

A day care center or home care center islocated by the coordinator and an on-sightevaluation is made. Arrangements are then madewith the single parent to enroll her child in acenter nearest her home or school. On occasion,the coordinator accompanies the student to daycare to assist in filling out forms and give theteen parent moral support.

The coordinator continues to follow-up on aroutine basis with the students, schoolcounselors, and day care providers.

The coordinator networks with other agencies,attends seminars and workshops to gain furtherknowledge and insight to deal with the problems ofteen parents in the areas of health care,self-esteem, birth defects, education, vocationaltraining, counseling, location , and cost of daycare.

9-4-

DAY CARE INFORMATION

Various home care and day care centers axelocated throughout Volusia County that meet theguidelines of the Single Parents Program (VCSPP).The centers vary in cost from $9.00 to $15.00 perday. These centers are licensed and approved bythe State and Health Departments.

United Child Care, Inc., is an agency thatprovides the Single Parents Program with 15 slotsfrom their sub-contracting resources to assist inday care. United Child Care coordinates with theprogram with a local money match of 12.5% perinfant amounting to $392.00. The remainingbalande is paid by United Child Care. The averagecost for child care per child is $3,132.00annually.

The remaining slots for day care are fundedfrom the grant. The alternate day care centersare located by the coordinator and an on-sightevaluation is made to determine approval for theSingle Parents Program.

DAY CARE AND HOME CARE CENTERS PROVIDINGSERVICES TO THE SINGLE PARENTS PROGRAM ARE:

United Child Care, Inc.Ormond Beach, Florida

Artentry BarnwellFamily Home CareDeland, Florida

Lula J. LutherFamily Home CareHolly Hill, Florida

The Beckman SchoolDaytona Beach, Florida

Child & Craft Day CareDeland, Florida

Doris Myers Day CareOrange City, Florida

-5- 10

Vine Street Day CareDaytona Beach, Florida

Kids KampusPierson, Florida

Play and Learn NurseryDaytona Beach, Florida

Patricks Day CareDaytona Beach, Florida

Port Orange Day CarePort Orange, Florida

APPLICATION FOR VOLUSIA COUNTY SINGLE PARENTS PROGRAM

SCHOOL COUNSELOR

WHERE DID YOU LEARN ABOUT OUR PROGRAM

DATE INTERVIEW BY

NAMELast First Middle

ADDRESS

City State

PARENTS NAME

PHONE D 0 B AGE RACE SEX

PREGNANT....YES....H0 DUE DATE CHILDREN AGE

ARE YOU EMPLOYED YES NO

EDUCATION(Circle one) 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

WHAT ARE YOUR CURRENT LIVING ARRANGEMENTS

LIVE WITH BOTH PARENTSLIVE WITH SINGLE PARENTOTHER

WHAT RESPONSIBILITIES DEMAND YOUR TIME AS A SINGLE PARENT?

CHILD CAREEDUCATIONEMPLOYMENT

WHAT OBSTACLES DO YOU FEEL HINDER YOUR ATTENDING SCHOOL?

CHILD CARETRANSPORTATIONOTHER

DO YOU HAVE A DOCTORS STATEMENT TO RETURN TO SCHOOL

.YES NO

WILL YOU VOLUNTARILY ENROLL IN A CHILD DEVELOPMENT COURSE

YES NO

WILL YOU VOLUNTARILY ENROLL IN A VOCATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAM

YES NO

COMMENTS

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR VOLUSIA COUNTY SINGLE PARENTSPROGRAM

1. VOLUNTARY PARTICIPATION

2. ENROLL IN CHILD DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

3. ENROLL IN VOCATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAM

4. MAINTAIN CODE OF SCHOOL CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINEPOLICIES

5. MAINTAIN SATISFACTORY SCHOOL PROGRESS

6. MAINTAIN SCHOOL POLICIES OF ABSENTEES

7. GIVE EVIDENCE OF INTEREST IN WORKING TOWARDS AHIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA

CONTINUATION IN THE VOLUSIA COUNTY TEEN PROGRAM IS BASED ONTHE ABOVE CRITERIA WHICH I HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND.

SIGNED DATE

12-7-

VOLUSIA COUNTY SINGLE PARENTS PROGRAM

DATE

THIS IS TO VERIFY CONTINUATION OF MY EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM TO

BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE VOLUSIA COUNTY SINr'LL PARENTS PROGRAM.

I WILL ENROLL IN SUMMER SCHOOL (6 WEEI(S) AT

BEGINNING.

SIGNED:

DATE:

COUNSELOR:

SCHOOL:

13-8-

SCHOOL BOARD OF VOLUSIA COUNTYDAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA 32015

Child Agreement/Single Parent Program

PARENT'S NAME

STUDENT'S NAME

ADDRESS

PHONE

D.O.B.- -

AGE

CHILD'S NAME

DAY CARE

ADDRESS

PHONE

CERTIFICATE NUMBER

DIRECTOR

COST /RATE - -- DAY WEEK

14-9-

DOB

VOLUSIA COUNTY SINGLE PARENTS PROGRAM

DATE

Dear.

Thank you for your interest in the Single ParentsProgram.

Due to the abundance of responses of interested teens,we had to make our selection according to the guidelines -endeligibility criteria set forth in the federal grant.

We would like to encourage you to continue youreducational program, as we will keep your name on file forfuture openings as they become available.

15-10-

Sincerely,

Barbara P. ShieldsTeen Parent Coordinator

RESULTS AND FINDINGS

1. Many single parents are leaving school to take careof their children due to the lack of financialsupport of day care.

2. There is little being done to encourage singleparents to return and complete their high schoolprogram.

3. Student health records indicate that 90% delayedpre-natal health care.

4. Of the 85 students interviewed, 80% were found to befrom single parent homes.

5. Initial contacts were made with school guidancecounselors to present the program for teen parents.

6. Identified students were interviewed and selectionwas made based on the eligibility criteria of theprogram.

7. Implementation of the program resulted in 85interviews of pregnant and teen mothers.

8. All pregnant and teen parents were given outsidereferrals for health and financial aid.

9. The single parents participating in the programreceived instruction in Health, Family Living andParenting, and Child Guidance and Care.

10. Eleven day care and home care centers were locatedand an on-sight evaluation made.

11. Student progress was monitored by the guidancecounselors and presented to the coordinator.

12. Periodic follow-up was made to the day care andhome care centers.

13. Networking with outside resources, contact withother agencies and concerned citizens, resultedin community awareness of the teen issues and thepurpose of the Volusia County Single ParentsProgram.

16

VOLUSIA COUNTY LIVE BIRTHS 18 and UNDER

YEAR NUMBER % TO LIVE BIRTHS

1980 377 13.09

1981 370 11.99

1982 351 11.16

1983 349 10.38

1984 368 10.52

1985 370 10.51

In 1986 11.43 % of all live births were teens

17-12-

FINDINGS ON TEEN PREGNANCY AND TEEN PARENTS ARE ASFOLLOWS:

-Some 550,000 teenage girls give birth each year.

-Almost one-sixth of all U.S. births are to teenagewomen.

-Pabies born to 1-ung teen mothers have a higher riskof serious health problems.

-The teen mother has special problems, physically andemotionally.

-The death rate from pregnancy complications is muchhigher among girls who give birth under age 15 than amongolder mothers.

-The teenage mother is more likely to be undernourished andsuffer premature or prolonged labor.

-During the first 3 months of pregnancy, seven out of tenpregnant teenagers do not see a doctor or go to a healthclinic.

-Poor eating habits, smoking, alcohol and drugs increase therisk of having a baby with health problems.

-The baby growing inside a mother is in a most dependent,and often risky, place.

-Low birth weight is the most immediate health problem.Babies born to teenagers often are born small, too soon.

-Low birth weight babies may have immature organ systems(brain, lungs, heart).

-Difficulty controlling body temperature and blood sugarlevels are found in low weight babies.

-Mental retardation is more apt to result from teen parents.

-A risk of dying in early infancy is higher among infants ofteen mothers,

18-13-

CONSEQUENCES OF TEENAGE PREGNANCY

The future does not often hold great promise for ateenage mother and her child because:

1. Two out of three pregnant teenagers drop out ofschool.

2. With her education cut short, the teenage mothermay lack job skills.

3. The income of teen mothers is half that of thosewho first gave birth in their twenties.

4. The teenage mother may become financially dependenton her famfly or on welfare.

5. Teenage marrriages have a much greater chance ofending in divorce.

19-14-

CONCLUSIONS

As the Volusia County Single Parents Program wasimplemented, it became obvious that teenage parents areoften school dropouts. Without the services provided by theprogram, many students would leave school to care for theirbabies.

The following areas of concern were observed:

1. Teen dropouts face difficulties in obtaining theskills needed to compete in society.

2. -Teenage parents were unaware of the health risksinvolved in pregnancy without early pre-natal care

3. Teenage parents need the support of their families,their communities, and their school to help themovercome the obstacles they face.

4. Teenage parents were unaware of community resourcesavailable to help them and their children.

The program, funded through a federal vocational grant, hasprovided the teenage parent with an opportunity to:

-Receive financial support for day care.

-Receive vocationalskills.

-Receive counselingresources.

training to equip them in job

through school and outside

-Continue their educational program and receive ahigh school diploma.

-15-..1

20

FLORIDA SCHOOL DISTRICTS OFFERING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FORSTUDENTS WHO ARE PREGNANT OR ARE PARENTS

1986-87

EDUCATION CHILD CAREDISTRICT

Alachua x xBay x xBrevard x xBroward x xColumbia xDade x xDeSoto xDuval x xEscambia x xHernando x xHighlands x xHillsborough x xLake xLee x xLeon x xManatee xMartin x xMonroe x xOkaloosa x xOrange x xPalm Beach xPineallas x xPolk x xSarasota x xSeminole x xVolusia x x

-16-

21