
In May 2001, a three-year independent evaluation of The Children’s Aid Society
Carrera Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Program was announced, revealing strikingly
positive outcomes. "This evaluation takes us from probable knowledge to certain
knowledge about how to prevent teen pregnancy in the United States," says
Dr. Michael A. Carrera.
The program was tested among 941 low-income teens, aged 13 to 15, at 12 sites
in seven U.S. cities. The evaluation was conducted by Philliber Research Associates
of Accord, NY and supported by the Robin Hood Foundation and the Charles Stewart
Mott Foundation.
According to the evaluation, the CAS Carrera Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention
Program is the only program working with teens in disadvantaged communities
that has achieved reductions in both pregnancies and births. The girls
also had better
outcomes in areas such as sexuality, reproductive knowledge, health care
usage, and computer use. In fact, pregnancy and births for teen girls in
our program were nearly 50% less than for teen girls in the control groups.
Program girls
were
also three times more likely than control girls to have used effective
contraception at last intercourse.

The following are statistically significantly findings:
The
Carrera model reduced births among girls by 50%. Considering other factors that
contribute to pregnancy, girls in the control group had three times the odds of
becoming pregnant.
The model was successful in part because programs maintained enduring relationships
with the young people; Eighty percent of the teens remained connected to
the program for at least three years, many for longer periods. During this
time, the model increased their capacity to avoid early pregnancy. Compared
to the
control group:
Sexuality-related
knowledge gains were 83% higher among CAS-Carrera teens.
The
percentage with a reproductive health visit was 26% higher among CAS-Carrera
teens overall and 50% higher among boys.
The
percentage of girls using effective contraception was 2 times higher among CAS-Carrera
teens.
The model also increased the desire to avoid early pregnancy. Compared to the
control group:
The
percentage reporting improved schoolwork is 22% higher among CAS-Carrera teens.
The
percentage visiting colleges was 31% higher among CAS-Carrera teens.
The
percentage with work experiences was 16% higher among the CAS-Carrera teens.
The
percentage with bank accounts was 84% higher among the CAS-Carrera teens.
The
percentage with computer literacy was 16% higher among the CAS-Carrera teens.
Higher graduation and college enrollment rates:
Of
123 control kids who were eligible to graduate from high school, 48 (39%) enrolled
in college.
Of
137 program kids who were eligible to graduate from high school, 84 (61%) enrolled
in college.
The model resulted in additional health benefits, particularly among boys. Compared
to the control group:
The
percentage of boys with comprehensive health care, including access to a provider
other than the emergency room, social as well as medical assessments, dental
care and receipt of the Hepatitis B vaccine was 25% higher among CAS-Carrera
teens.
The
percentage of boys initiating marijuana use was 25% lower among CAS-Carrera teens.
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