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Teen Outreach Program

Did You Know?

• In 2010, 1.6% of Jackson County girls 10-16 years old had at least one child.  The state average is 2.8%.

• In 2010, 4.4% of Jackson County middle school students were held back a year.  The state average is 2.6%.

• In 2010, only 77.5% of Jackson County middle school students said they felt safe at school.  The state average is 76.3%.

Stats from Florida Charts

Teen Outreach Program
(TOP)

The Jackson County Health Department received the Teen Outreach Program grant in 2011 to address these and other issues related to teens.  Students learn important life skills through lessons focusing on:

• Developing Healthy Friendships

• How to Deal with Social and Peer Pressures

• How to be Assertive Without Being Aggressive

• The Three C's of Good Decision Making
   

Youths also participate in Community Service learning projects throughout the county.  The Teen Outreach Program is a positive youth development curriculum that encourages Healthy Behavior, Life Skills, and a sense of purpose in the lives of youths in the 9th grade in Jackson County.  The Teen Outreach Program is designed to compliment what parents are already teaching their youths.  The purpose of TOP is to provide youths with the opportunity to gain skills in problem solving, communication, asset building and critical thinking skills.  The Teen Outreach Program has been evaluated and proven to lower the risk of school suspension, course failure and teen pregnancy amongst participants.  The Teen Outreach Program facilitators are Candace White who facilitates at Marianna and Sneads High Schools and Antonio Johnson who facilitates at Cottondale, Graceville and Malone High Schools.  These facilitators are certified in the TOP curriculum and take a "values neutral" approach.  This position allows students to learn how to think instead of being taught what to think.  This is sponsored by the Florida Department of Health and the U.S. Office of Adolescent Health.  There is a standing collaboration between the Jackson County Health Department and the Jackson County School District.

Why Teen Outreach Program?

The Teen Outreach Program (TOP) focuses on delaying and preventing risky behaviors that could lead to early and unwanted pregnancy, suspension, academic failure and school dropout.

TOP participants compared with non-participants:

• 52% lower rate of suspension
   

• 53% lower rate of pregnancy
   

• 60% lower rate of academic course failure
   

• 60% lower school dropout rate

Goals!!!

• TOP helps young people develop Health Behaviors needed for successful achievement in school as well as life-long goals.

• TOP helps young people acquire valuable Life Skills in order to develop the necessary competencies and capacities to grow into healthy, self-sustaining adults.

• TOP gives young people a Sense of Purpose through reliable opportunities that allow them to contribute in meaningful ways through community service.
  
   

Important Phone Numbers:

Jackson County Health Department
850-526-2412

   Karen Koonce Edwards
   Grant Manager/Supervisor
   ext. 135

    Candace White
    Teen Outreach Program Facilitator
    ext. 203

    Antonio Johnson
    Teen Outreach Program Facilitator
    ext. 157

National Dating Abuse Help Line
866-331-9474

Anchorage Children's Home
850-763-7202

Chemical Addictions Recovery Effort Inc.
850-769-6156

Life Management
850-873-7789

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