2013_09_17 ICAP Minutes

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

401 Hungerford Dr., Tan Conference Room

Rockville,MD

 

MINUTES

 

Andrea Coleman and Shari Argue, co-chairs, welcomed everyone and asked members to introduce themselves. 

ICAP Update: 

Ilene will be picking up free books from First Book on Saturday, September 21. How ICAP distributes these children's books will be determined later in the year as programming is decided upon. Ilene encouraged those who serve children to enroll in First Book so that they too can take advantage of free and/or very low cost books.

 

Presentations:

Pat Keating, Manager of Perinatal Education at Holy Cross Hospital, reported that Holy Cross has received a state Minority Infant Mortality Reduction grant that will focus on pregnant Africans, African-Americans and teens. Right now, they are planning to expand their current programs:

  • teen education programs - 4 childbirth and parenting classes per year just for teens. (First class begins 9/18 and next class to start in November.)
  • teen reunions - to keep teens connected, they will hold "reunions" for moms, dads and babies who have gone through their classes
  • Baby Fair - for teens and women of all ages
  • Preconception health programs
  • Early pregnancy (first trimester) classes - for all ages; first one is to be held at Destination Maternity at Montgomery Mall next week

ICAP members suggested they create a blog to keep teens connected, help teens know what to expect when going to the doctor and what questions to ask, and speak to school nurses so they know about these programs.

Raquel Coale, Program Director of The Landing, presented information about this new "recovery-oriented club for adolescents" at Family Services, Inc. in Gaithersburg. The Landing provides recovery and support services to youth ages 12-18 who are currently receiving substance abuse treatment or have recently been released from treatment. Program hours are 3-8pm and 12-14 year olds attend on Tuesdays and Thursday while 15-18 year olds attend on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 12-6pm. For more information, call 240-683-6580 x219 or email raquel.coale@fs-inc.org.

Sharon Crowe, School Health Services, Nurse Manager reported statistics from SY2012-2013. School nurses case managed a total of 260 pregnant and parenting teens. There were 150 new pregnancies (down from 176 in 2011-2012). There were 2 pregnancies in middle schools. Largest number of pregnancies were among Latinas.

Discussion re ICAP 2013-2014:

In light of continued decrease in teen births (CDC report: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr62/nvsr62_03.pdf) AND high rates of unintended pregnancies (http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/local/wp/2013/09/10/d-c-leads-natio…), ICAP members discussed what should be their focus for this coming year. Suggestions included:

  • focusing on prevention of repeat pregnancies
  • targeted education for boys/men
  • helping parents talk to their children about sex and healthy relationships
  • collaborate with Choose Respect conference to offer resource fair and/or workshops
  • work with Montgomery County Women's Bar Foundation Preparing for Success  Forum  held in November
  • find out if students at Montgomery College are still interested in "spreading the word" after taking health class at MC (ask Jim Walters)
  • offer something for parenting Seniors who are graduating from high school

Membership Information and Updates

Andrea Coleman, CWS - She's asked a CWS worker to speak to ICAP about pregnant and parenting youth living in foster care.

Shari Argue, Lourie Center - Their funds have been cut due to sequestration and therefore they now have 20 fewer slots. They can now serve 89 families. They are shifting to work with more children in child care rather than home visiting.

Cornelia Gregory, Child Care Subsidies - They are still working off the wait list. In response to a question, she believes there is no movement in addressing the requirement that teen parents must include their parents' incomes when applying for child care subsidies.

Claudia Nolan, Infants and Toddlers - She will report back next month with the number of teen parents and babies being served by I&T.

Carlita Sanchez, Amerigroup - Working with TAYA to ensure women get checkups.

Jane Larsen, Improved Pregnancy Outcomes - They are now charged with assessing all fetal and infant deaths plus child fatalities up to age 18. September is National Infant Mortality Awareness Month. Their preconception health brochures is now on ACOG's website and Holy Cross is funding the printing of more English and Spanish copies. The State of Maryland reported a decrease in infant mortality in the state and the county as well as a reduction in the disparity between African-Americans and whites. Promote Text4Baby - only 2,000 women from Maryland are registered.

Giselle Pautrat, TAYA - She is available for educational presentations to any organization/audience. Remember that TAYA has a clinic in Gaithersburg on Thursdays from 9:30am to 5:30pm.

Debbie Reese, HHS Germantown Health Center - Clinic provides pregnancy testing, immunizations, case management for high risk pregnant women. Flu clinic will start in October.

Maria Elena Guevara, Planned Parenthood - Scheduling "Get Yourself Tested" HIV event in DC.

Lydia DeLaO, MMYC - Provide GED, counseling, job readiness to 16-21 year olds in or out of school. On Saturday, offer post high school session for seniors.

Melissa Butz, Community Bridges - Served 224 girls in 2012-2013. New Executive Director Cynthia James is re-focusing their programming. Now at 8 schools serving girls in 3rd grade through high school. Holding an Open House on Saturday, Sept. 21 from 11am to 1pm at White Oak Community Center. Another Open House at their offices at 620 Pershing Drive, Silver Spring on Tuesday, Sept. 24 from 6:30 to 9:30pm.

Yolanda Perez, Families Foremost - Now offering advanced ESOL classes in addition to their GED, basic ESOL and parenting classes. Also offer home visiting and child care on site. After moving to their new Rockville location a year ago, they are now drawing more students from mid and upcounty areas.

Cara Grant and Jeff Mehr, MCPS PreK-12 Health Education, Dept. of Curriculum and Instruction - They are in the process of reviewing and upgrading the health curriculum and will be asking for input from ICAP members. (Shari Argue, member of the Commission on Children and Youth reported that the Commission is planning its annual Roundtable on December 4 and will be focusing on the MCPS health curriculum.)

Rose Cohen, WIC - Lisa Euliss has left her position as Outreach Coordinator and they are looking for a replacement. Rose is the lactation specialist.

Jose Luis Diaz, CCI - They will be working hard to enroll people in the new health insurance exchanges as of October 1. Plan to put extra effort into enrolling young people, known as "The Invincibles." CCI's Franklin Park clinic in Greenbelt finally opened last week. This site has primary care, dental and mental health services.

Thelma Opoku, graduate student - Pursuing her MPH at Univ. of MD and interning at Gaithersburg High School's Wellness Center.

Not in attendance but requested information be disseminated:

Saundra Jackson, AAHP SMILE - Free childbirth and breastfeeding education classes on October 21, 22 and 23 from 6-8pm at White Oak Community Recreation Center, 1700 April Lane, Silver Spring. To register, go to: www.aahpoctobersmile2013.eventbrite.com. For more information call, 301-421-5445. (See attached flyer)

Mary and Susan Manan, Young Mothers Against Tobacco (YMAT) - They offer presentations on the effects of tobacco on young parents and their children to protect children from second-hand smoke. (They presented at ICAP meeting in March 2013.) They are available to present to any ICAP organization or program and can help with $100 honorarium to be used for materials, food or incentives. If you are interested in hosting a presentation, contact Wendy Norcross at wenmick@aol.com.

Next meeting:            October 15, 2013 at 1:30pm