What is the Child Watch Visitation Program?

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO BE PART OF THE SOLUTION...• Talk to the teenagers in your life about sexuality and responsible decision making.• Fmd out what is happening on this issue in your local school.• Make books and videos on the subject available to teenagers you know.• Volunteer your time at these sites or at other organizations addressing these issues.• Make yourself aware ofyour elected representatives' stance on these issues.• Oteck the positions oflocal, state and national candidates on issues related to children andpregnancy.• VOTE• Write to your elected representatives regarding these issues.• Ask candidates and elected officials what they are doing to address the problem of teenpregnancy and parenting.• Meet with your elected officials or the staff ofkey teen and children's committees to discussin greater depth the needs of teens and their children in your neighborhood. Try to give somepractical solutions to the problems facing teens along with expressing your willingness tohelp. Use the examples ofeffective programs you've seen during the course of the Visitation.• Write articles/stories which showcase successful programs or agencies; show "what isworking" and dispel the myth that nothing works.• Do a series on people: teens who are "beating the odds" and the people behind successfulprograms.• Write about the trends and issues.• Develop TV shows which realistically portray the difficulty ofgrowing up today, thepressures and choices one has. and highlight those who are·successfully coping.• Develop a blitz media campaign to address the issues ofteen pregnancy and parenting.• Create or participate in a mentoring program for high risk pregnant and parenting teenagersto teach new mothers about child health and parenting, as well as. to provide emotionalsuppon and examples for success.• Sponsor parenting education programs.• Become a big sisterlbrother for a teenager. Call Big Sister Los Angeles or similar program.• Use your own skills ( writing. accounting, legal. fund raising, administration. etc. ) to assiston agency serving children and youth.• Enter into a partnership with a religious congregation or other programs for teens providingsuppon for teen mothers. Provide financial suppon and volunteer assistance.• Have a fund-raiser to benefit a teen program. or set up a scholarship fund to help youngparents who cannot afford to further their education.• Volunteer to work in a teen center one day a week to allow staff time for training andplanning.137