Hope Resource Center Paper

Hope Resource Center Services 1 Running Head: HOPE RESOURCE CENTER

Services Offered by Hope Resource Center for Adolescents Jamie Howell, Christina Payne, Dave Williams Health 305 University of Tennessee November 8, 2007

Hope Resource Center Services 2 Hope Resource Center 2700 Painter Avenue Knoxville, Tennessee 37919 (865) 525-4673 Linda Quesenberry was interviewed on October 22, 2007, from 8:15 to 9:00 A.M.

Hope Resource Center Services 3 Services Offered by Hope Resource Center for Adolescents The purpose of this paper is to identify how Hope Resource Center (HRC) educates adolescents’ on their physical health, emphasizing on sexual education. The paper will also concentrate on HRC’s treatment protocol for adolescent pregnancy, and/or exposure to sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The following information comes from an interview with Linda Quesenberry, HRC’s Director of the Painter Avenue Office, and six journal articles related to adolescent sexual education and experiences. Attention will focus on HRC’s following programs: prevention, intervention, and post abortion recovery. In addition, HRC’s support system for pregnant adolescents and their male partners will be addressed. HRC is concerned with the holistic aspect of an individual’s health and uses all of the mentioned programs to support one’s overall wellbeing. Hope Resource Center Overview HRC began serving the community in 1997 and was limited to Knoxville initially, but currently serves 12 counties total. HRC is a nonprofit, Christian based ministry focused on “changing lives for a new generation through health, hope, and healing.” The organization is funded by donations, and are operated by over 100 volunteers. HRC offers sex education in school, clinical examinations for STDs and possible pregnancies, counseling, and several other services to adolescents free of charge. HRC’s main office is currently offering clinical examinations to women only. However, they are planning for expansion and expect to accommodate men too by fall 2008. Currently, HRC’s U.T. campus location is accessible to both men and women, and all the services remain free.

Hope Resource Center Services 4 Agency Findings Prevention Program HRC’s program which focuses on preventing adolescents from becoming sexually active is termed “Just Wait.” HRC is sanctioned by the school board to teach sexual education annually to 6th, 8th, and 10th graders. The volunteers that go into the schools to lecture are young, positive, and meant to be a role model for students. Just Wait encourages students to “just wait” until marriage to become sexually active, and focuses exclusively on promoting physical health through sexual abstinence. Although the effectiveness of abstinence based sex education programs is questionable, studies show that educating young adolescents improves their decision making skills concerning sexual activity and drastically reduces STD infection and pregnancy. In addition, students who have received any kind of sex education were found to be more likely to use contraception at the occurrence of intercourse (Muller 1). Just Wait uses a medical standpoint to inform students of the responsibilities associated with sexual activity, and consequences that may result from sex, including STD transmission and/or pregnancy. Studies show that when adolescents are informed of the negative social consequences involved with sex, they are less likely to engage in sexual activity (Bersamin 435). Just Wait teaches students different types of STDs, how each STD is transmitted, how to identify an STD outbreak/infection, and how to avoid infection. Students discuss diseases including herpes, AIDS, Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. The presentation includes graphic pictures of these STD infections, and even a classroom activity demonstrating the ease in transmitting an STD. The program does not address contraception, but if condoms or birth control are mentioned, volunteers inform students that “no sex is ever safe sex.” Just Wait

Hope Resource Center Services 5 insists the only way to completely avoid STDs and pregnancy is to avoid sex. HRC claims the Just Wait program is an “upbeat,” and “in your face” presentation for sex education. However, some may consider the presentation slightly intimidating. Studies have shown “scare tactics” to be ineffective measures to reduce sexual activity in adolescents (Bay-Cheng 61). Many conservative Americans appreciate and support children receiving only abstinence based sex education in schools. Studies show from 1995-2002 formal sex education has increasingly become “abstinence-only” based, despite the concerns of health professionals. In addition, there is a lack of information on the efficacy of abstinence based programs (Lindberg 182). HRC believes their program has been successful, and claims HRC’s community involvement is the reason Knox County has the lowest teen pregnancy rate in Tennessee. But if “abstinence-only” is the most prevalent form of sex education in the U.S., then it must not be too efficient, considering the 100 million teenage pregnancies occuring annually (Bay-Cheng 61). Intervention Program HRC’s intervention program is clinically based, and offers free STD testing and treatment, pregnancy tests, and counseling to all students. The majority of the HRC’s clinic office positions are filled by over 100 volunteers that may or may not have public health training. The clinic’s medical staff consists of five doctors that oversee several nurse practitioners. The nurse practitioners are permitted to diagnose, treat, and write prescriptions for patients. The clinic is able perform tests for the following STDs: Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Hepatitis B and C, Herpes (in presence of viral outbreak), HIV, Syphilis, and Trichomoniasis. HRC is unable to test for Human Papilloma Virus because they do not perform PAP smears. HRC also performs pregnancy tests for patients upon request.

Hope Resource Center Services 6 All of HRC’s services are free of charge, under the condition the patient must accept counseling from a staff member. The counseling is separate from the medical exam, and is intended to assist the patient in assessing his/her sexual activity and life goals. Similar to Just Wait’s message, clinic counselors encourage sexual abstinence by providing patients information on pregnancy risk, and STD transmission, symptoms, and health effects. In addition, if the patient tests positive for any STDs, he/she is encouraged to inform all sexual partners. Paternal Support Program If a patient has unexpected pregnancy, counselors explain the patient’s three main options: carryout the pregnancy and raise the baby, give the baby up for adoption, or abort the baby. The counselors emphasize that with the first two options the baby lives, but with abortion the baby dies. If the patient chooses to give the baby for adoption, HRC recommends two local adoption agencies Bethany, a Christian based organization, and Harmony. If a patient commits to keeping her baby, HRC connects the mother with her doctor as soon as possible to ensure proper prenatal care. The clinic’s nurse practitioners are unable to offer prenatal care, but they can distribute free prenatal vitamins. Even though the mother is not visiting the HRC clinic, HRC stays involved in her life. HRC offers free parenting classes for expectant mothers, focusing on caring for an infant, breastfeeding, life skills, and general parenting skills. At each class, not only do mothers learn about parenting, they earn “Baby Bucks.” Baby Bucks are saved and used to exchange for diapers, formula, baby clothing, and other baby items in HRC’s “Stork Shop.” After an expectant mother has completed HRC’s classes, she is eligible for a free baby shower. HRC has showers during the Christmas holidays and for Mother’s Day. The mothers receive many essentials, including an infant car seat.

Hope Resource Center Services 7 HRC also offers “Dad You,” a program for adolescent expectant fathers. HRC believes in the importance of keeping fathers involved in the pregnancy. The classes are taught by Tony Bacillo, a local sportscaster on the radio. The classes are very similar to the classes for mothers, focusing on child care and parenting. Fathers are also eligible to earn “baby bucks” to spend in HRC’s baby supply room. HRC emphasizes the importance of the fathers continuing their high school education, incase the mother has to postpone earning her diploma. Studies show that fewer high school aged mothers completed schooling, than high school aged fathers (Zeck 386). Post Abortion Recovery Program HRC has a program called Restoring Hearts for women of all ages who have had abortions. HRC’s goal is to counsel patients as soon as possible after her abortion to ease and alleviate some stress related with the abortion. Post abortion patients are subject to post-abortion syndrome, which can manifest itself in anxiety, panic or fear, a sense of loss, and general loneliness. This condition can be alleviated or ended by seeking postabortive counseling. Successful modern psychological counseling methods may involve the behavioral contract technique of family counseling methods, one assertive training technique of behavioral therapy and the rational emotive therapy technique of counselin. These practices can help restore an emotional equilibrium to a woman’s life after dealing with an abortion. Studies have shown that counseling after an abortion affects sexual behavior positively, as well as relieving post-abortion stress (Fasubaa 299). Women in these types of circumstances desperately need somewhere to look for help in the community, which HRC’s Restoring Hearts program provides.

Hope Resource Center Services 8 Jamie Howell’s Experience Adolescent Health has educated me on several significant adolescent issues, such as sexual activity, pregnancy, and STDs. Therefore I understand the importance for comprehensive sex education in schools, and adolescents should be fully informed on how to protect themselves. Since HRC educates only on abstinence, this is obviously a disservice to students. However, I think it is better for a student to receive HRC’s program rather than no sex education at all. At least with Just Wait students will understand their risk of STDs and pregnancy. This assignment was a pleasant surprise. I was pleased to find how personal and sincere the HRC volunteers were. HRC does an excellent job of making their clinical office seem relaxed and homey as possible. Also, I was very pleased to learn how passionate the volunteers are about helping adolescents. After learning about HRC’s mentor program, I decided I would like to get involved with mentoring, whether or not I go through HRC. Christina Payne’s Experience Overall I feel that this project educated me on several aspects of adolescent sexual behaviors that I was unaware of. This project has brought my attention to the needs of the adolescent community in the Knoxville area. Personally I feel Hope Resource Center has an outstanding program for adolescents in the surrounding area. I hope in the future that there are more programs that do reach out to the adolescent community as they do. Very often in abstinence only programs they focus on the education and prevention, but in the occurrence of a pregnancy or STD they usually do not help in providing support for the pregnant adolescent and the young father. The counseling and support programs that they

offer to pregnant teens spoke volumes to me. It was good to see a sexual education program that Hope Resource Center Services 9 showed that they truly care about pregnant adolescents who did not have a solid support system and environment. Even though our research on adolescent sexual behaviors has ended I hope to continue my education on adolescent sex prevention strategies and support systems for those adolescents affected by STDs or pregnancy. Dave Williams’ Experience I think what HRC does is a really important part of a healthy community. They seem like they are intrinsically motivated and really want to help women in tough situations. They do a lot of different things for women and men, and even though their stance on sex education is overtly religious and dated, they are still admirable for providing so many services for free. I’m glad HRC is there for people who might not have anywhere else to turn. Overall, my experience with them was encouraging and fun. Hope Resource Center Interview Questions When did HRC start in Knoxville and how many counties does HRC serve? How are HRC’s programs funded? How is HRC involved in sex education in local schools? What is the age range of your target audience in schools? I read the “Just Wait” volunteers you send into schools to teach sex education are usually young adults. Do you think having younger teachers assists in delivering an abstinence based program?

What does your agency’s sex education curriculum include? Do you inform them of the all medical, psychological, and social aspects of sex?

Hope Resource Center Services 10 Some school based sex education programs try to encourage abstinence by using “scare tactics.” How does HRC encourage teens not to have sex? I recently read an article that pointed out abstinence focused education programs are rarely evaluated for their efficiency in preventing teens from having sex. How does HRC determine if their programs are successful? What are the clinical staff’s medical qualifications? What STDs do you test for? What is HRC’s protocol for a patient who test positive for a STD? What assistance does HRC offer to pregnant adolescents? Does HRC offer prenatal care? Does HRC offer counseling for adolescents who choose to have an abortion?

Hope Resource Center Services 11 Thank You Letter for Hope Resource Center

Hope Resource Center Services 12 References Bay-Cheng, L. (2003) The Trouble of Teen Sex: The Construction of Adolescent Sexuality through School-Based Sexuality Education. Sex Education, 3, 6174. Bersamin, M., Walker, S., Waiters, E., Fisher, D., Grube, J. (2005). Promising to Wait: Virginity pledges and Adolescent Sexual Behavior. Journal of Adolescent Health, 36, 428-436. Fasubaa, O.B. and Ojo, O.D. (2004) Impact of Post-Abortion Counseling in a SemiUrban Town of Western Nigeria. Journald of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 24, 298-303. Lindberg, L., Santelli, J., Singh, S. (2006) Changes in Formal Sex Education: 1995- 2002. Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 38, 182-189. Mueller, T., Gavin, L., Kulkarni, A. (2007) The Association Between Sex Education and Youth’s Engagement in Sexual Intercourse, Age at First Intercourse, and Birth Control Use at First Sex. Journal of Adolescent Health, Article in Press. Zeck, W., Bjelic-Radisic, V., Tech, J., Psych, E. (2007) Impact of Adolescent Pregnancy on the Future Life of Young Mothers in Terms of Social, Familial, and Educational Changes. Journal of Adolescent Health, 41, 380-388.