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Number Served: 3,637 |
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Rate of Participation per Provider: 74% |
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The Teen ACTION (Achieving Change Together in Our Neighborhood) initiative establishes after-school service-learning programs serving middle and high-school students in neighborhoods with high rates of poverty and teen pregnancy.
Although the rate of teen births in NYC has been declining over the past decade, the correlation between teen pregnancy and poverty persists. In 2007, there were 8,480 live births to teenagers in NYC, and, in an overwhelming majority of these cases, the mother was unmarried and poor. Mott Haven, NYC's poorest community district, also has the highest rate of teen pregnancy (16%).
Teen pregnancy is one of several risks that young people living in poverty face during their transition into adulthood. Other risks include school suspension, sexually transmitted infections, substance abuse, and other unhealthy behaviors. Although out-of-school time programs have been shown to reduce some of these risks, older youth are less likely than younger children to participate in these programs. An enhanced intervention model that is more attractive to this population is therefore justified.
For many middle and high-school students, low participation in out-of-school programs is the norm, and providers often struggle to engage older youth in their programs. Additionally, experts have found that many youth programs "provide only limited opportunities for youth to participate in community-service type activities. Where these opportunities do exist, they usually occur only periodically and for small numbers of the most engaged youth. Even fewer youth appear to have opportunities in these programs to explore the communities around them and understand how they can play an active role in their communities."
Service Learning (SL) programs offer youth an opportunity to participate in community service combined with a structured curriculum that seeks to develop leadership skills, civic engagement, and social responsibility. SL engages youth in relevant, real-life issues that may have greater appeal for teenagers. This focus has the potential to draw in youth who would not otherwise participate in any after-school activities. SL may also be a useful strategy to foster the social, emotional, behavioral and intellectual competencies that can reduce risk behaviors. The potential benefits of SL programs appear to be greater for adolescents than for younger children, since adolescents can address more complex issues and take on more adult roles and responsibilities. Challenging activities and supportive programming can help promote problem-solving and critical thinking skills that help youth enrolled in these programs stay on track. Youth- driven programs like Teen ACTION allow adolescents to make decisions and provide time for reflection. In so doing, SL program foster engagement and promote responsible behaviors.
Research also suggests that SL programs can have a positive impact in the short term. For example, a study of the Teen Outreach Program (TOP), a nationally implemented model, found that, during the academic year that students were enrolled in the program, there was a substantial reduction in the rate of teen pregnancy, course failure, and school suspension for participants, when compared to a control group. These findings are substantiated by other research. A study of another nationally implemented model, Learn and Serve, found that participants in the program had lower pregnancy rates during the school year in which they participated. Other studies have shown that service learning participants in grades 7-12 were more cognitively engaged in English language arts compared to non-participants; and that service learning has the potential to engage "at risk" seventh and eighth graders.
Studies of various types of after-school programs have consistently shown that the longer participants remain in the program, the greater its impact. These results have been demonstrated in the context of SL programs. For example, the evaluation of the Quantum Opportunities Program (QOP) showed greater program effects (as measured at the end of each high school year) for youth who attended the program for 2 or more years than for youth who attended for fewer years. Similarly, an evaluation of the Reach for Health Community Youth Service Program targeting African-American 7th and 8th graders also found stronger positive effects for teens who stayed involved for at least two years than for those who participated for only one year.
Teen ACTION employs an asset-based approach that is aimed at expanding the scope of things young people can do. It promotes positive life skills, a sense of efficacy and self-worth, and responsible citizenship among participants. This focus in turn helps to prevent negative outcomes such as teen pregnancy and school suspension. Teen ACTION incorporates successful service learning components, such as: meaningful community service, structured classroom-based activities, reflection on the service experience, positive adult role models, and opportunities for participants to partake in decision-making. The program emphasizes participants' help in shaping service assignments and giving them the opportunity to exercise leadership.
Teen ACTION programs, operating under contract with the Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) are located in approximately 60 after-school sites in high-need neighborhoods. These programs build upon the provider and agency capacity developed in recent years through Out-of-School-Time contracts. Service Learning also increases the number of after-school options for youth.
In Year 1, the program offered a minimum of 120 hours of service learning, with at least 40 hours devoted to service activities and at least 40 hours devoted to structured learning, over a minimum of three months. In Year 2 hours increased to 165, with at least 55 hours devoted to service activities and 55 hours devoted to structured learning. Providers offer the program either in weekly meetings for a few hours at a time or in longer blocks of time over weekends or during the summer when school is not in session. Participants are eligible to participate in the program for multiple years. DYCD contracted with The After-School Corporation (TASC) and its subcontractor, Global Kids, to develop a curriculum and to offer technical assistance and capacity-building services to providers. TASC trains providers on how to implement the curriculum, helps providers meet recruitment and retention goals, troubleshoots challenges, and helps providers forge relationships with community partners. Providers are responsible for developing and maintaining appropriate service placements and supports for program participants. Each provider has also established linkages with on- or off-site healthcare providers.
Evaluation Framework
Teen ACTION is being evaluated using a post-only survey to measure participant engagement in risky behavior and attitude towards school and community. In order to determine the relative impact of the program two comparison groups have been identified. The first group is enrolled in other types of after-school programming, and the second is not enrolled in any after-school programming. Survey responses will be analyzed and differences among the three groups will be measured.
The program serves young adults who are between the ages of 13 and 21 and in the 6th to 11th grade.
Short-Term:
- Increase attendance in school and connection to community
- Reduce risky behavior
- Encourage use of health, reproductive health, and mental health services
- Encourage supportive relationships with caring adults
- Develop personal responsibility among participants
Long-Term:
- Reduce rates of teen pregnancy
- Reduce risky behavior leading to sexually transmitted infections and substance abuse
- Increase academic achievement and graduation rates
