Curriculum and training

The DCO curriculum materials were developed to provide agencies, school districts, youth organizations and faith-based groups with the tools necessary to teach relevant and factual information to a school-aged population.  It is specifically designed to:

•  present current data on the impact of teen pregnancy;
•  educate youth on the benefit of abstinence from sex;
•  increase awareness and understanding of each of the     options facing a pregnant teen
• dispel myths concerning teen pregnancy;
• provide the tools necessary for students to make  healthy  decisions
• develop the desire among  teens to provide support for
• peers in crisis pregnancy situations;
• increase sensitivity toward those who have placed a    child
• for adoption, peers who were adopted, or others involved in adoption

This comprehensive turnkey  curriculum program presents students with factual, relevant data utilizing a multi-media approach.  It increases the understanding of the devastating effects of teen pregnancy on our entire nation. 

The curriculum consists of a flexible teaching schedule that can be administered in a series of classroom presentations ranging from 1 to 5 days of instruction.  The package contains a manual which details all of the necessary information to conduct the training classes (background information, statistics, PowerPoint slides explained, student survey instrument, contact information, and statistical references), a DVD of an actual  live classroom presentation,  a second DVD containing the PowerPoint slideshow and all of the media utilized in the presentation, a USB 4g flash drive contain all of the same information as the DVD, a copy of the survey instrument, all lesson plans and classroom activities (master sheets and answer keys), and a student handout master.

The DCO curriculum provides educators with a week-long agenda of activities, role-playing, guest speakers, discussions, surveys and PowerPoint presentations that can accommodate a traditional or block class schedule.  All materials, hand-outs, and daily plans are included.  Students will experience the reality of teen pregnancy through personal testimonials, video clips of Catelynn and Tyler from MTV's "16 & Pregnant" and guest speakers. 

The cost of the DCO curriculum package is $350 for one unit; $300 for 2-9 units; $250 for over 10 units.  If you have questions regarding the curriculum, please contact us. 

Please scroll down to watch a presentation filmed live at a local high school.  It consists of two parts, day one and day two, which shows the complete classroom presentation.  Additional lesson plans, materials and handouts are included with the DCO curriculum package.

Curriculum Fact Sheet

“Decisions, Choices & Options:  Facts about Teen Pregnancy”

An abstinence based approach to teen pregnancy prevention and education.

What are the goals?

• Pregnancy Prevention
• Delay of sexual activity
• Accurate understanding of the impact of pregnancy on teens

What does it teach?

• Abstinence as the only 100% effective birth control/prevention
• Behavioral Skills
• Decision making skills
• Cause/Effect and choices/consequences

Sexuality/Pregnancy/STI Education

How does it teach?

• Brainstorming
• PowerPoint Lecture
• Video
• Group Discussion
• Role Plays & games
• Pre & Post evaluation surveys

Who is the target audience?

•  Suitable for use in public and private schools with students aged 13-18

•  Suitable for use in community-based organizations that provide services to children

•   Ages 13-18 in after school care, summer programs and other intervention services

•  Suitable for use in faith-based communities reaching    adolescents ages 13-18.

How long is the program

The curriculum involves 2 agency directed presentations and 3 teacher/organization directed lesson activities, games, role plays.  Each lesson is approximately 50 minutes long.

 Proven, effective method for teaching factual information to teens on the topic of teen pregnancy and the consequences.

                                                                www.decisionschoicesandoptions.org 

Monday from Joi Wasill on Vimeo.

“Decisions, Choices & Options:  Facts About Teen Pregnancy”

Learning Goals and Objectives

Presented in Health/Wellness, Family Life and/or Family & Consumer Sciences curriculum areas.

Unit:  Sexuality, reproduction, family life

Learning Target:  The students will examine human sexuality (e.g. biology, behavior, responsibilities, consequences and attitudes) and recognize the negative effect of teen pregnancy on personal, educational, financial and family goals.

General Goals: 

• Define the impact of teen pregnancy on our nation
• Recognize abstinence from all sexual activity as a positive choice
• Identify the potential outcomes of engaging in sexual behaviors (e.g. pregnancy, STI’s, etc)
• Examine the alternatives of an unplanned pregnancy (e.g. teen parenting, abortion, adoption)
• Discuss the consequences associated with teen pregnancy (e.g. physical, mental, emotional, social, etc)
• Examine the lifelong responsibilities and requirements of parenting

Specific Goals:

• Recognize that abstinence from all sexual activity is the healthiest choice
• Describe the social, emotional, physical and economic consequences of teen parenting
• Explain the necessity of proper counsel, prenatal care and family involvement in decision making
• Explain the impact & consequences of teen parenting on the children of teen parents
• State facts regarding prenatal development using ultrasound pictures and video (4D scans)
• Discuss two types of abortion procedures:  surgical and chemical using medically accurate facts
• Explain similarities and difference of abortion and adoption
• Discuss the option of adoption including facts regarding waiting families, adoption process, and the types of adoptions (e.g. confidential, semi-open, open)
• Analyze accurate information on adoption using video clips of MTV’s “16 & Pregnant” series
• Compare the outcomes of each option facing a pregnant teen and the long-term impact of each
• Explain why all 3 options are difficult and point to the need to avoid teen pregnancy 

Tuesday from Joi Wasill on Vimeo.