Real Talk For Real Girls Lakeshia Brown, MPH, CHES Program Services Coordinator March of Dimes Texas Chapter-FW Division Melissa Oden, LMSW-IPR, MPH, CHES Vice President of Program Development Girls Incorporated of Tarrant County

Project Purpose To raise awareness of the mission of the March Of Dimes and prematurity during prematurity awareness month. To provide preconception healthcare information specifically focusing on folic acid. To raise awareness of the mission of Girls Incorporated of Tarrant County with the goal of empowering young girls to make better decisions as it relates to delaying their first sexual experience.

Project Rationale Texas ranks 4th in the nation for teen pregnancy. 16% of teen mothers in Texas deliver pre-term babies. Birth is the culmination of the genetic make-up of both the mother and the father. Healthy parents = healthy baby?

Target Audience Mothers with daughters between the ages of 8-18.

Methods & Activities Girls Inc and March of Dimes met to determine the format of the program and what activities would be used. Activities included: Building communication skills Participants described the “ideal” mother and the “ideal” daughter. Building self-esteem

Methods & Activities (con’t) Mothers and daughters wrote letters to each other to put into practice the communication techniques they learned. Stations: “How well do you know me?” quiz Mother/Daughter photos in the Rose Garden Fashion design station Picture frame design

Methods & Activities Fashion Show

Methods & Activities African American photo exhibit was displayed to provide a clear picture of the crisis of prematurity

Methods & Activities A detailed discussion on folic acid was presented to the participants.

Results/Impact Total of 11 Moms and 16 daughters attended from various cultural backgrounds, with an age range of daughters from 6-16. Pre- and Post-Test results showed that 81% of participants had an increase in knowledge.

Comments from Participants “I loved this conference. A day very well spent.” “Thank you for this event. It’s so wonderful to know that organizations do exist to help and encourage us to become better people. Thank you for making it fun, informative and especially interactive. I am taking so many positive skills I have learned with me.” “First time attending a summit for mother and daughter; a very nice experience to share with each other to help our communication skills. Keep up the great work.”

Results & Impact Other March of Dimes Texas chapter divisions have also expressed interest in duplicating the program. Johns Elementary in Arlington has expressed interest in duplicating this program as a 6-week program.

Lessons Learned Send out save the date cards and invitations at an earlier time Open guest list to general public Offer program at no cost Shorten the day from an 8-hour workshop to a 5-hour workshop Have a working lunch to optimize time Allow for more free and open discussion time Venue

Funding Sources Aetna Medicaid and CHIP services University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth School of Public Health March of Dimes & Girls Inc of Tarrant County subsidized the remainder

Implications for Practice Provides a structure for health educators to bring mothers and daughters together in an environment with limited restrictions for topic discussion. Allows health educator to educate moms and daughters on how to talk to each other about sensitive health issues in a fun, interactive environment. Program can be modified to address different needs based on each county’s situation.

QUESTIONS???? CONTACT INFO: Lakeshia Brown, MPH, CHES 817-451-9174 X102 lcbrown@marchofdimes.com www.marchofdimes.com/texas Melissa Oden, LMSW-IPR, MPH, CHES 817.275.2120 x222 Moden@girlsinctarrant.org www.girlsinctarrant.org