Field of Interest Fund - Youth Unplanned Pregnancy Prevention Fund Grant

The Field of Interest Fund - Youth Unplanned Pregnancy Prevention Fund Grant aims to combat youth unplanned pregnancies in Washington County, Maryland. With a significant reduction in the teen birth rate, this initiative emphasizes the critical role of parental influence in guiding teenagers' decisions about sexual activity. The grant supports programs that educate parents and provide essential resources, fostering informed choices among youth. By empowering families, the fund seeks to create healthier futures for young individuals and their communities.

Field of Interest Fund - Youth Unplanned Pregnancy Prevention Fund Grant
Why Care About Teen Pregnancy?
The 2022 Maryland Vital Statistics Annual Report highlighted that the teen birth rate in Maryland had dropped to 10.8 per 1,000 women ages 15-19 years, a decline from the 2021 rate of 11.2 In Maryland, the overall rate has fallen nearly 50% over the past decade. Washington County's teen birth rate for women ages 15 to 17 was 7.3 which is below the State's teen birth rate. The birth rate for women ages 18 to19 was 34.8, well above the State's teen birth rate. The total birth rate in Washington County for women ages 15-19 was 16.5. Washington County ranks as having the fifth highest teen birth rate in the State. While Washington County's teen birth rates have shown dramatic improvement there is still much work to be done to impact this issue. Research findings strongly indicate that becoming a parent while an adolescent can have a negative impact on the lives of young mothers and fathers as well as on their children. The youthfulness of the parent affects their own economic, physical, and social status and that of their child.
Parents Influence
National organizations devoted to addressing the issue of teen births and unplanned pregnancies continue to stress that parents have a very important influence on whether their teenagers become pregnant or cause a pregnancy. Parents need to know that when it comes to young people's decisions about sex, their influence has not been lost to peers and popular culture. The parents are powerful and they can use this power in sound, helpful ways. Organizations or programs that offer educational seminars, workshops and printed materials that provide parents and other caregivers practical information about what they can do to help their children delay sexual activity and avoid teen pregnancy are important in service provision in Washington County. A teenager, whether female or male, needs informed and caring help to make healthy choices about sex and relationships.
Grants will be directed to programs specifically targeting a decrease in youth and unplanned pregnancies and unsafe sexual practices.

Eligibility

Applicant organizations must be based in and primarily serving Washington County, Maryland, and have a current 501(c) (3) determination from the IRS.
Organizations may apply for funding for more than one program; however, each program requires a separate grant application. Funds from this fund must be utilized for programming serving youth under the age of 20.