Real Talk For Real GirlsReal 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

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 PurposeProject 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.

• 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 RationaleProject 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?

• 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 AudienceTarget Audience

• Mothers with daughters between the ages of 8-18.

• Mothers with daughters between the ages of 8-18.

Methods & ActivitiesMethods & 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

• 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)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

• 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 & ActivitiesMethods & Activities

• Fashion Show• Fashion Show

Methods & ActivitiesMethods & Activities

• African American photo exhibit was displayed to provide a clear picture of the crisis of prematurity

• African American photo exhibit was displayed to provide a clear picture of the crisis of prematurity

Methods & ActivitiesMethods & Activities

• A detailed discussion on folic acid was presented to the participants.

• A detailed discussion on folic acid was presented to the participants.

Results/ImpactResults/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.

• 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 ParticipantsComments 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.”

• “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 & ImpactResults & 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.

• 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 LearnedLessons 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

• 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 SourcesFunding 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

• 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 PracticeImplications 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.

• 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????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

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