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     did you know…

Over 1,200 babies were born to teenagers in Denver County in 2005 and only 41% of the 18 and 19-year-olds who gave birth had attained twelve years of education - directly affecting the poverty rate. 

On average, the poverty rate for children born to a teenage mother who has never married and who did not graduate from high school is 78%. 

Also, over 80% of teen mothers who do not finish high school depend on welfare to survive.

- Sources: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Annie E. Casey Foundation and Berkeley Medical Journal 

Click the following link to learn why

                       ...recent trends are a concern for our community

Recent Trends and Concerns

• In Denver County, the teen birth rate declined13% among girls ages 13 to 19 between 1991 and 2005 (Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment).
  
  
• In Denver County, 1,211 babies were born to mothers aged 13 to 19 in 2005 (Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment).
  
  
• In 2005, only about 41% of the 18 and 19 year-olds who gave birth in Denver were high school graduates (Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment).
  
  
• The poverty rate for children born to a teenage mother who has never married and who did not graduate from high school is 78% (Annie E. Casey Foundation, citing 2000 Census Bureau statistics).
  
  
• One-third of pregnant teens receive inadequate prenatal care; babies born to young mothers are more likely to be low-birth-weight, to have childhood health problems and to be hospitalized than are those born to older mothers (The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy 2000).
  
  
• The sons of teen mothers are 13% more likely to end up in prison, compared to the sons of older mothers (Robin Hood Foundation).
  
  
• The daughters of teen mothers are 22% more likely to become teen mothers themselves, compared to the daughters of older mothers (The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy).
  
  
• The children of teenage parents are more likely to be in poor health, experience less stimulating and supportive home environments, be abused or neglected, have difficulty in school, become teenage parents themselves, and be incarcerated during young adulthood, when compared with children of older parents. (Robin Hood Foundation).
  
  
• Every $1 spent on early childhood development saves $7 later in costs for remedial education, welfare and prisons (RAND Corporation).
  
  
• Teen childbearing costs taxpayers at least $7 billion per year in direct costs associated with health care, foster care, criminal justice, public assistance and lost tax revenues (The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy).

• Teenage fathers tend to have incomplete education and few career and parenting skills.  Some are not involved with their children because of substance abuse, conflicts with the child’s mother or discouragement from his or her family.  Others lack visitation rights or have had poor role models for parenting (Ford Foundation).

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