The AFL Care Program from the Office of Adolescent Pregnancy Programs within the Department of Health and Human Services is the largest grant funded program at MTCC. Notified on 2/17/11, by the Office of Adolescent Pregnancy Programs that they would no longer be funded for the FY 2012. MTCC, in its final year of the AFL five year grant cycle which ends August 31st, had already begun a 2012 proposal to include 3 additional high schools for a second round of funding. We are the only agency currently awarded these funds in South Carolina. Budget cuts will eliminate over $16 million dollars in successful programs across the country…Spartanburg County currently receives $268,000 dollars per year through MTCC
LOCAL IMPACT
Of the 150 young women served at two Spartanburg County High Schools over past 5 years:
- Average of 90% stayed in school, progressed a grade level or graduated vs. 40% state average
- Only 2% experienced a repeat pregnancy vs. 30% typical for Spartanburg County
- Last year 55% of those who graduated continued their education…only 2% of this population typically obtain a college degree
- Our next round of funding would have allowed us to continue and expand services to lower drop out rates and increase high school graduation and college enrollment
IT IS NOT DIFFICULT TO PREDICT THE IMPACT ON THE ECONOMY IN SPARTANBURG COUNTY
Last year 15 high school graduates in our program enrolled in college. These young women have the income potential of $6 million more in earnings over a career vs. high school graduates.
NATIONAL IMPACT
- There is also a direct national impact as a result of the elimination of the Office of Adolescent Pregnancy Programs because we were part of a demonstration grant
- At the conclusion of our funding cycle we will have the data to write national research so that other agencies across the country who wish to have successful results with this population have a model to follow
- This is not just a loss of funds for Spartanburg or South Carolina, it is a loss of support for youth across our nation
CURRENT FOCUS IN SPARTANBURG
- This comes at a critical time for Spartanburg County where only 19% of adults have bachelor’s degrees affecting earning power, economic class mobility, and general economic development in our county
- A consortium of leaders has formed “The College Hub” and the “40/30 Challenge” to address this disparity – see Spartanburg County Foundation website
- Spartanburg has a higher percentage of teen parents than similarly populated counties adding to the population at risk for not obtaining college degrees
- Excellent educational opportunities are available in Spartanburg
NEXT STEPS
- Continue to advocate for our programs
- Search for public/private funding – federal/state/local
- Present to local leadership groups (i.e. Spartanburg County School Superintendents)
- Meet with possible potential partners
- Gather needs statements and current services from all school districts in Spartanburg
- Attend sustainability conference in Washington D.C. April 4-6
- Hold Concept Mapping Session with evaluators and stakeholders
- Investigate unexplored avenues of funding while continuing to search for grant opportunities
Contact: Tina Gaudiano ~ Tina.Gaudiano@spart5.net ~ 864-439-7760