§ 40-19-1 - Legislative findings.
SECTION 40-19-1
§ 40-19-1 Legislative findings. – The general assembly finds:
(a) In 1988, there were one thousand four hundred sixty-one(1,461) births to adolescents under the age of twenty (20) in the state;
(b) Adolescents coping with a pregnancy have a greater riskthan the average pregnant woman for:
(1) Inadequate nutrition;
(2) Prenatal care starting well into the second trimester;
(3) Living in poverty households; and finally
(4) More likely to drop out of school.
(c) The literature on adolescents also shows an increase indrug and alcohol use and a rise in depression and suicide.
(d) The student dropout rates in the state are as follows:
Cranston 23.7%
Newport 27%
Pawtucket 30.1%
Providence 42.4%
Warwick 16.4%
West Warwick 29.7%
Woonsocket 37.1%
(e) Pregnant and parenting adolescent students face moreeducational barriers due to student's high absenteeism, inattentiveness inclass, have increased problems of illiteracy and lack the motivation to stay inschool during the pregnancy or to return to school after the infant is born.
(f) A prime factor in parenting students dropping out ofschool is the absence of child care either in the school, community, or home.
(g) In the fourteen (14) adolescent pregnancy and parentingprograms that currently exist in the state, four (4) of which also have childcare centers, the following is evident:
(1) In 1988, thirty-three percent (33%) or four hundredseventy-five (475) out of one thousand four hundred sixty-one (1,461) pregnantadolescents receive community based services; and
(2) In 1988, sixty-seven percent (67%) or nine hundredeighty-six (986) out of one thousand four hundred sixty-one (1,461) pregnantadolescents do not receive any community based services.
(h) That of the clients currently enrolled in services in thestate the following is established:
(1) In some communities the dropout rate for pregnantstudents has completely reversed from eighty percent (80%) drop out to ninetypercent (90%) graduates; and
(2) Statewide, programs have demonstrated a thirty-fivepercent (35%) increase in education from intake into programs; and
(3) Students who have child care are more likely to return toschool after the pregnancy and remain until graduation; and
(4) Adolescent parents equipped with a high school diplomaare more likely to be self sufficient, capable parents able to find and keepemployment while caring for their family and less likely to need publicassistance on a long-term basis.
(i) The long-term cost savings are significant as comparisonsare made between the cost of providing services to each pregnant and parentingadolescent as one thousand six hundred forty two dollars ($1,642) yearly withan additional cost for day care services on site in school based programs ofthree thousand one hundred fifteen dollars ($3,115) yearly as compared to thecost of providing welfare, food stamps and medical assistance to each client ona yearly basis of eight thousand four hundred dollars ($8,400).
(j) The long-term cost savings is significant as adolescentmothers equipped with a high school diploma are more able to find employment,continue career options, and care for themselves and child, therefore becomingless dependent of public assistance (income maintenance) after graduation.
(k) Rhode Island must provide the earliest possible supportto pregnant adolescents for reasons both of compassion and cost effectiveness.