Despite a decline in teen pregnancy during the 1990's, unintended pregnancy still poses a major problem for adolescent females in West Virginia. In an average week in West Virginia, 63 babies are born to teen mothers (ages 15 - 19). The West Virginia Bureau for Child Support Enforcement wants to assist young West Virginians in delaying parenthood until they are physically, emotionally, and financially ready to have children.

Thus, we are pleased to announce that the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, Bureau for Child Support Enforcement has produced a new video and curriculum. The new program is entitled “Get More” and is intended to be conducted primarily with grades 7 - 12. The major goal of the project is to help frame young peoples’ attitudes about child-bearing through education and goal setting

The Bureau for Child Support Enforcement has collaborated with the WV State Department of Education, Office of Healthy Schools, WV Bureau of Public Health, Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Initiative, Abstinence Only Education and other offices to produce a well rounded program for our youth.

The video captures experiences of several teen parents from various schools in WV. These teen parents provide vivid accounts of their day to day lives and candidly discuss various issues surrounding teen parenting. Additionally, the video is supplemented by curriculum that addresses child support, paternity, abstinence, protection, STDs, goal setting and more. Each segment of the curriculum is stand alone, meaning educators are free to use modules consecutively or independently.

The video and curriculum are free and can be obtained by contacting the WVBCSE Hospital Paternity Project & Community Outreach and leaving your name, address and phone number and affiliation at 304-558-3716. You may send a written request to WV BCSE, Hospital Paternity Project & Community Outreach, 350 Capitol Street, Room 147, Charleston, WV 25301 or via email to ElizabethJordan@wvdhhr.org.