CANA focusing on teen pregnancy

CADILLAC - While teenage pregnancy is declining statewide, in Wexford and Missaukee counties numbers are rising.

The Community Assets/Needs Assessment is working locally to reverse the trend.

"We're really focused on trying to build assets for teens and youth in general," said Mike Acosta, chair of CANA children and family action team. "We don't think there is one simple solution."

The community group is focused on helping teenage mothers while working to prevent future teen pregnancies.

Acosta said many action team members understood social problems related to teen pregnancy but they did not recognize the medical risks. Teen birth can be risky to both mother and child, Acosta said.

CANA members discussed providing community alternatives to give teens supervised healthy alternatives.

"Teens do thrive on that risky behavior. If they don't have opportunities for thrilling activities, they turn to other things," Acosta said.

Such activities include skateboarding, rock climbing or other physical activities.

Other ideas generated by CANA include raising community awareness of teen related issues and school programs that teach more than just abstinence.

"We have to talk about more than abstinence, if we don't we're just putting our heads in the sand," Acosta said.

Internal assets such as educating youths in problem solving and thinking skills can help children make better decisions as they become teens, Acosta said. The community can help raise children's self esteem by being involved in their lives.

"There is a part for everyone in the community to raise awareness and be involved even if it's just smiling or maybe being involved in mentor programs," Acosta said.