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CFC TOPPs Director is Delighted with Decline in City Teen Birth Rate

FALL RIVER ~ The downward trend in teen births in Fall River has Citizens for Citizens Teen Opportunities and Pregnancy Prevention Coalition feeling optimistic about the effectiveness of its educational programs aimed at curbing the problem of teens having babies. Amy Tobin, director of the CFC TOPPS program, has been taking the message of healthy decision making into the classrooms of the city and in neighboring communities "and we feel the dividends are showing up in the reduction in the city's teen birth rate."

According to statistics recently released by the state Department of Public Health Bureau of Family and Community Health, the teen birth rate in Fall River has dropped 12.3% from 1994 through 1999.

In citing the lower teen pregnancy rate, Ms. Tobin said: "These figures give us reason to hope that we have turned the corner on this very critical problem. Our emphasis is on abstinence and health education in avoiding peer pressure or unhealthy situations. TOPPS, though its various subcontracted programs, has reached thousands of children in Fall River over the years and we may be seeing the results of this concentrated community effort."

Ms. Tobin said that through TOPPS, Fall River area youngsters are given advice on how to get out of unhealthy relationships and how to avoid peer pressure and effectively do so in many instances by using peer leaders to carry the message that youths need to hear."

She explained, "There are subcontracted programs that are sponsored by Community Development Recreation, Children's Services, the YMCA and CFC's Family Planning. We are very encouraged by the declining teen pregnancy rate but it is an on-going effort."

These programs are: I'm a Healthy Decision Maker ~ An after school series sponsored by Community Development Recreation that combines role-play with puppet presentations to encourage students to make healthy decisions. This program, according to Ms. Tobin, is aimed at children in Grade 5 and peers from middle schools are available to talk with the youngsters. Using peers makes it easier for the children to relate to the message, Ms. Tobin said.

Teen Challenge ~ Directed by Children's Services, this program provides both community and school-based interactive workshops to students on AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases, decision-making sexual abuse, violence and assertiveness. Ginny Larkin visits schools and speaks on these vital issues and the reaction from the students has been impressive, the TOPPS director stated. This program has been expanded to include Atlantis Charter School.

Safe Teen Health ~ Sponsored by CFC Family Planning, this peer education program centers around informal gatherings of teens to exchange information on reproductive health, contraception and abstinence.

Laura Murphy oversees the program as well as the Young Parent Speakers Program. The latter program is also sponsored by Family Planning, and it trains teen parents to share their difficult experiences with other teens, both in and out of school. Laura Murphy is in charge of that program and according to Ms. Tobin the message is being delivered in health classes.

Universal Tribe ~ Sponsored by the YMCA of Greater Fall River, this youth-driven program provides young people with leadership training, tutorials, summer employment and peer education training to provide educational presentations through performing arts, radio, TV and videotape.

The TOPPS director urged any group in Greater Fall River seeking to provide information about TOPPS programs, contact her at the CFC office at 427 Robeson St. or by calling 675-2157 Ext. 129.

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