About the Program

Our pregnancy prevention program utilizing the Baby Think it Over system is designed to allow adolescents to explore the physical, emotional, social, and financial consequences of teen parenthood. Over one million students across the country have experienced the responsibilities of parenting through this system and in vertually all instances, teen pregnancy has decreased dramatically. The 11-12 day curriculum encompasses three stages. During the preparatory stage, participants prepare for becoming teen parents. During the hands-onn protion of the program, participants receive an "infant" to parent for approximately 7 days. This is the heart of the program; the participants receive a realistic computerized "baby", which accurately emulates a real infant. Results on the quality of care given to this infant during the program are then "downloaded" from the baby into a computer to measure success. During the wrap-up stage, participants process the experience and make firm commitments for future responsible sexual behavior.

Throughout the entire program, participants are given daily assignments, spend time in the community on field trips, have daily group discussions, hear speakers, and utilize role-plays to practice newly gained skills in decision making and relationships.

What do participants learn?

Candlelight uses a holistic approach to learning, relfected in our Pregnancy Prevention program by educating the participants in all aspects of teen parenting. During this program, participants can expect to learn the following:

• Pregnancy, labor, and delivery
• Child Support
• WIC Program
• Adoption
• Sexually transmitted diseases
• Discipline
• Child abuse and shaken baby syndrome
• Alcohol and drug affected infants
• Nutrition
• Finances of a teen parent
• Child safety
• Developing a value system
• How to say "no" to peer pressure
• Birth control and prevention

This program is offered both as a part of our "A Better Choice" program, as well as outpatient. Adolescents that are high risk for becoming parents during their teenage years are appropriate for this program. Determining factors include: sexual activity without adequate protection, multiple partners, history of STDs, reports of wanting to become pregnant, and/or drug and alcohol abuse. Adolescents in the community may be referred to the program by their county social worker, parents, school personnel, or other source by contacting our Program Manager . Also please contact us for information regarding times for outpatient programs.