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As part of Teen Talk, the Coalition's comprehensive sexuality education program, the Coalition
has developed the Teen Parent Panel (TPP) Program to educate youth that participate in Teen
Talk about the realities of teen pregnancy/parenthood. The teen parent panels are facilitated
discussions comprised of trained pregnant and parenting teen speakers. Most of our teen
speakers are from Redwood and Baden High Schools and receive a small stipend for their
presentations.

"I am glad the Teen Parent Panel came to talk to us. After hearing Ernesto [teen dad]
speak, it made me think twice about using condoms more."
- 17 year old male from Hillcrest High School

Surveys of students who have seen the panels found that 98% of them say they are more likely
to use birth control if they choose to have sex and 79% say they are more likely to postpone
having sexual intercourse after hearing first-hand about the realities of teen parenthood.

For school year 2003-2004, the teen parent panel has presented at 26 schools or community
events. Teen parent panels have a credibility and authenticity unmatched by any other form of
educational presentation by an adult. The panels provide both the students and the speakers
with an invaluable opportunity to gain from each other.

"I thank the teen moms for coming to talk to us. At first I wanted to have a baby, but
after hearing them speak, I decided to wait until I am older."
- 16 year old female from El Camino High School

Positive outcomes for audience members include:

• Challenging youth to examine their own sexual values and behavior and to be aware of
  the consequences of making or not making various decisions;
  
• Providing realistic information about the legal and financial responsibilities of parenting a
  child for both mother and father that often surprise audience members;
  
• Changing stereotypical views held by audience members -both positive and negative-of
  pregnant and parenting teens.
  

Positive outcomes for teen parent speakers include:

• Gaining a more positive self-image as they help youth make more informed choices and
  decisions-and thus avoid teen pregnancy-by contributing their experience and
  expertise;
  
• Gaining poise, self-confidence and public speaking experience and often feeling a sense
  of "specialness" from the positive attention paid to them and receive direct verbal
  affirmation from the audience.