Promising Practice

Starting Out Right: Positive Strategies to Guide Adolescents through Healthy Pregnancy and Childbirth

State/Jurisdiction: Arizona
Setting: Community
Population: Adolescents & Young Adults
Topic Area: Health Promotion & Communication Reproductive Health Birth Outcomes
NPMs: NPM 4: Breastfeeding

Starting Out Right (SOR) was developed by a group of obstetric nurses due to the lack of comprehensive pregnancy health education specifically for the unique needs of pregnant teens. Many programs that provide pregnancy health education, have been developed for the adult learner. Using the theoretical approaches of Social Cognitive Theory and Theory of Reasoned Action, SOR places the pregnant teen and her healthcare needs, and how adolescents learn (adolescent brain-based learning), at the center of all program components. Starting Out Right provides 18 hours of healthy pregnancy and childbirth education in a community based, group setting, allowing teens to interact with their peers, rather than experience a sense of isolation that may occur within home visitation programs or feeling judged when attending adult programs. The curriculum uses multiple teaching modalities to enhance learning for each teen in the group education setting. Additional components include individualized case management with goal setting, support groups, home visit after delivery of baby, program evaluation and ongoing support as needed for 1 year.


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Implementation Handout
Introduction to Starting Out Right


CONTACT INFORMATION
Arizona Youth Partnership
Laura Pedersen
laura.pedersen59@yahoo.com
520-719-2014
Practice Website