2. So get the facts, know the options, and help others make a decision that is right for them. Believe it or not, people listen to you. And when the topic is something as important as pregnancy, your words will make a difference. www.unplannedgood.org 2

3. First… a few words about our organization and why we want YOU to know about ALL THE OPTIONS. 3 www.unplannedgood. org

4. We believe that teens should have ALL of the information they need about their options, specifically about adoption. Unplanned Good provides straight talk about adoption without any political or religious bias. 4 www.unplannedgood. org

5. Why look into doing some Unplanned Good? BTW, Adoption is an Option You are important Your kids, students & friends listen to You You influence your school & community You can make a difference 5 www.unplannedgood. org

6. It’s also important for you to know that Unplanned Good is a: California-based non-profit organization Not affiliated with any political group Not aligned with either Pro-Life or Pro- Choice agendas BTW, Adoption is an Option 6 www.unplannedgood. org

7. OK. Let’s test your knowledge about teen pregnancy, teen parenting and adoption. It’s your world. Get the facts. BTW, Adoption is an Option 7 www.unplannedgood. org

8. How many California teenagers give birth each day? BTW, Adoption is an Option 1508 teens (19 & under) gave birth each day in 2007 in California. Source: http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/sfaa/pdf/california.pdf 8 www.unplannedgood. org

10. How many babies were born to teens in 2007 in California? BTW, Adoption is an Option 550,498 babies were born to California teens (19 & under) in 2007 Source: http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/sfaa/pdf/california.pdf 10 www.unplannedgood. org

11. How many abortions did teens receive in 2007? California teens (women 19 & under) received 204,217 abortions in 2007. That’s 561 per day, every day, in 2007, in California. Source: http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/sfaa/pdf/california.pdf 11 www.unplannedgood. org

12. What percentage of teens, faced with an unplanned pregnancy, make an adoption plan for their baby? BTW, Adoption is an Option <1% 12 www.unplannedgood. org About1% of teen mothers make an adoption plan for their child. Source: Child Trends, 1995

13. www.unplannedgood.org Are those mostly lower class, poorer teen? BTW, Adoption is an Option 13 www.unplannedgood. org Women who voluntarily place their children for adoption are likely to have greater educational and vocational goals for themselves than those who keep the babies. Women making adoption plans often come from higher socioeconomic backgrounds. They come from intact families supportive of the placement. These families have not experienced teenage pregnancies by other family members. Source: Stolley, 1993

14. www.unplannedgood.org They are just like you. BTW, Adoption is an Option 14 www.unplannedgood. org California birth mothers who place their children independently tend to be aged 17 to 30 years old have no more than a high school education are not related to the adoptive parents, although many have contact with the adoptive family and were involved in the selection of the adoptive parents. Source: Adoption Trends, by Barth, Brooks, Iyer, 1995

15. www.unplannedgood.org How are California taxpayers involved in teen parenting? BTW, Adoption is an Option California taxpayers spend $13.3 million each month in (xx% of welfare expenditures) to support families started with a teen birth. Source: 15 www.unplannedgood. org

16. If given accurate, honest information about adoption, how much more likely would a woman be to ultimately choose to make an adoption plan for her child? BTW, Adoption is an Option 50% more likely that a woman will choose adoption if given accurate information about that choice. Source: Edmund Mech research for Department of Health and Human Services 16 www.unplannedgood. org

17. In the past 25 years, adoption has changed significantly. Now, birth parents have control over the adoption process. The old way of doing things (secrecy, no control) is out. Let’s address FIVE common myths… BTW, Adoption is an Option 17 www.unplannedgood. org

18. mythONE Pregnant teens have only two choices: Abortion Single parenting BTW, Adoption is an Option 1 There is a third choice, one that has been successful for both birth parents and children – adoption. 18 www.unplannedgood. org

19. mythTWO Adoption is just too difficult. BTW, Adoption is an Option 2 There’s no easy answer to an unplanned pregnancy. Adoption is a difficult choice – but it may be no more difficult than abortion or single parenting. Professionals are available & ready to walk birth parents through each step. 19 www.unplannedgood. org

20. mythTHREE Friends and family would never support adoption… they would think it’s giving up flesh and blood. BTW, Adoption is an Option 3 Friends and family are important, but when birth parents decide adoption is the right choice, they should get the support they need – without pressure or guilt. 20 www.unplannedgood. org

21. mythFOUR Birth parents never know what happens to their babies after adoption. BTW, Adoption is an Option 4 Open adoption allows birth parents to make key decisions, including choosing the adoptive parents. In many cases, birth parents maintain lifelong communication. 21 www.unplannedgood. org

22. mythFIVE Adopted kids who have lots of problems. 5 Most kids who are adopted do just fine and enjoy the same warm relationships and sense of belonging as kids who aren’t adopted. Research shows a small percentage of adopted kids, during adolescent years, may struggle with the fact that they are adopted. (Source: University of Minnesota, SIBS, 2008) 22 www.unplannedgood. org Can we find some California data??

23. www.unplannedgood.org Now you know a bit more about adoption. It’s a good time to listen to some real-life stories. (Note: Pause the PowerPoint presentation to view the “Life Stories” film, or read the story provided in the Presenter’s Guide.) BTW, Adoption is an Option 23 www.unplannedgood. org

24. If you’re still not clear why it’s important for you to understand the adoption option, consider: Many teens are successful parents. As a society, we need to offer them encouragement and assistance. Keep in mind, though, that many teen parents have significant struggles which affect the parents, child, society and even YOU. 24 www.unplannedgood. org

25. Children of young single parents are: Twice as likely to run away from home 2 to 3 times more likely to be victims of child abuse 83% more likely to become parents themselves before the age of 18 Source: “Kids Having Kids: A Robin Hood Foundation, Special Report on the Costs of Adolescent Childbearing.” 1996 25 www.unplannedgood. org

26. Young, single mothers are: 80% more likely to live in poverty. (Read more about this study at: http://www.robinhood.org/approach/KHK.pdf) 26 www.unplannedgood. org

27. Of young, single mothers: Fewer than 50% will marry within 10 years. (Read more about this study at: http://www.robinhood.org/approach/KHK.pdf) 27 www.unplannedgood. org

28. Teens who had been adopted at birth: Are more likely to live with two parents. Their parents are half as likely to divorce or separate Are less depressed than children of single parents and less likely to be involved in alcohol abuse or criminal activity. Do better in school. 28 www.unplannedgood. org Source: The Search Institute, a public-policy research organization,

29. www.unplannedgood.org Why is this so important? Consider this: In the U.S. there are: 50,000 adoptions per year 1,500,000 babies aborted per year 2,000,000 couples waiting to adopt at least one child 29 www.unplannedgood. org Sources: The Abortion Factbook, National Committee for Adoption, June 1989;

30. www.unplannedgood.org Knowing the facts about adoption is a great help to other teens. Be there for a friend when facing a difficult decision… Simply by understanding the ‘noble choice’. 30 www.unplannedgood. org

31. When you want to be there for someone you know, but need some ideas on how to help: 1. Empower them to get all of the information they need. Find resources at www.unplannedgood.org. 31 www.unplannedgood. org

32. When you want to be there for someone you know, but need some ideas on how to help: 2. Encourage them to talk with an adoption professional about their options. Decision-making counseling is available at no charge at agencies throughout the state. Find a list at itkteens.org. 32 www.unplannedgood. org

33. When you want to be there for someone you know, but need some ideas on how to help: 3. Offer to go with your friend to get more information. 33 www.unplannedgood. org

34. When you want to be there for someone you know, but need some ideas on how to help: 4. Be willing to listen without judgment. 34 www.unplannedgood. org

35. BTW, Adoption is an Option When you want to be there for someone you know, but need some ideas on how to help: If you hear other people judging your friend’s decision, defend his or her right to choose what is best for the child. 35 www.unplannedgood. org

36. BTW, Adoption is an Option If your friend is making an adoption plan, you can show your support in many ways, such as: Help your friend make a scrapbook for the baby, with pictures of the birth parents and their families, lists of favorite things, stories and important messages to pass along to the child. Offer to see pictures of the baby. Treat your friend to a movie night Remind your friend how strong and loving he or she is Listen, listen, listen… 36 www.unplannedgood. org

37. BTW, Adoption is an Option Talk about what you know. Your experiences and ideas can help others. Start up a conversation on Facebook. Just look up Unplanned Good. 37 www.unplannedgood. org

38. BTW, Adoption is an Option Share what you know. Show the Unplanned Good Life Stories life stories film to friends, parents, groups &organizations. 38 www.unplannedgood. org

39. BTW, Adoption is an Option Share what you know. Tell people about Unplanned Good Point them to www.unplannedgood.org. 39 www.unplannedgood. org

40. Share what you know. Order informational brochures from Unplanned Good. P.O. Box 26682 San Jose, CA 95129-6682 phone: 408-298-1640 e-mail: info@unplannedgood.org website: www.unplannedgood.org 40 www.unplannedgood. org

41. Invite an “Unplanned Good” Speaker to make a presentation at your school, youth group, organization or club. You’ll hear honest stories from people whose lives have been touched by adoption in many ways. The program is free, but the impact of the information you’ll hear is invaluable. To schedule a presentation, contact Theresa Marcroft, Panel Coordinator, at 408 298 0854 or tmarcroft@unplannedgood.org 41 www.unplannedgood. org

42. BTW, Adoption is an Option You get to change the world – make sure you know about ALL the Options. 42 www.unplannedgood. org