Nearly eight years ago, Hale County ranked 13th from 254 Texas counties in teen pregnancy. Though babies are cute, fortunately that number has actually dropped sharply due to the fact that its spike in 2008, nearly by half according to the current data.
“It’s rather amazing,” said SuNell Pyeatt, executive director of Plainview’s Compassionate Care Pregnancy Center. Thumbing through her available data, Pyeatt reported the trend of declining teen pregnancy in Hale County.
“From 1twenty girls in 2008, we went to 101, 81, 64 and to wherever we are now,” she said.
Released county data is actually delayed a couple of years as every one of numbers across the state are collected and analyzed.
“We’re quite excited regarding this,” said Pyeatt.
The last released official data from the state showed 64 pregnant teens from every 1,000 girls in Hale County.
Pyeatt said that’s exactly how the state records data to preserve it relatable to bigger city numbers. However the data she has actually collected shows a considerable shed in Plainview alone so far.
“It’s excellent, and if the numbers are proper for this year, we’ve seen a 90 percent shed in teen pregnancy at the higher school,” Pyeatt said.
Though she said every one of the credit can’t be provided to the efforts of the Compassionate Care pregnancy center, their job to reduce that number can’t be overlooked.
“I believe our abstinence classes are having an impact,” Pyeatt said. The road is offered to higher school students also as seventh and eighth grade classes.
“We have actually four various curriculums for our public schools,” Pyeatt said.
Each curriculum is taught by Pyeatt and is tailor-gained for each particular grade level. However rather than teaching just on the technique of abstinence, she said the approach focuses much more on the big picture and the future of each student.
“It’s not merely regarding teaching ‘don’t have actually sex until marriage.’ It’s much more regarding just what you wish to do along with your life,” said Pyeatt. “We ask just what objectives do you have, just what do you wish to accomplish? Where do you see your life in the next twenty years? If you have actually a child, you can easily still accomplish these goals, However you’ve gained it a little much more difficult, a little much more challenging.”
The approach is resonating along with students, that are becoming much more focused on their long-term plans compared to immediate desires.
If students have actually currently been sexually active, Pyeatt said, they are reporting that they are stopping their risky activities.
“Also, we surveyed our students after the courses and 96 percent of the students recommend our regimen to various other students,” Pyeatt said.
Compassionate Care is a faith-based non-profit and does not receive funding from federal or state sources. Instead, Compassionate Care relies on donations gained by individuals, churches and a couple of organizations.
The abstinence regimen is offered free to Plainview ISD, including the $8 booklets for each student.
“It’s every one of free to the school,” Pyeatt said. “We can’t take every one of the credit for the price going down, However it’s evident that it’s working.”
To enhance the declining trend, Pyeatt encourages parents to talk much more openly along with their youngsters regarding sex and making great decisions.
“We’d probably see that number come down even more,’ she said.
Once the state releases brand-new teen pregnancy data, Pyeatt said, she will certainly have the ability to find out Hale County’s current pregnancy ranking.
If a woman comes to be pregnant, Compassionate Care can easily provide a lot required support adore nutrition, baby clothing and diapers to grab started.
Compassionate Care is a pro-life facility, However Pyeatt said the pregnancy Focus does not judge any kind of woman, However merely desires to provide guide regarding each option.
“There’s no judgment once you come through that door,” Pyeatt said.
The pregnancy Focus sees an standard of 350 women per year, However has actually seen up to 500 in a year due to the fact that opening its doors. Pregnancy examinations are even offered devoid of charge at the center.
For much more guide or to donate to Compassionate Care, contact them online or by calling 806-296-5000 or visiting their 1209 Quincy St. location.
