Program gives teens close-up look at caring for babies

When the Sunrise Children's Foundation started a teen pregnancy prevention program 10 years ago, Nevada ranked first in the nation for teen pregnancies.

Now, the state ranks 17th or 19th, depending on the survey, says Dee Ladd, the foundation's founder and chief executive officer.

It's hard to pinpoint the reason for the drop in numbers, but there's no doubt "Baby? Think it over!!!" has had an impact on teenagers in Southern Nevada, Ladd says.

That's because teenagers in middle school and high school in the Clark County School District learn firsthand what being a parent is really like by taking home a computerized baby for one weekend. The babies are programmed to cry in intervals from two to four hours and can be turned off only by their assigned caretaker.

Both boys and girls must take care of their charges just as if they were real babies, Ladd explains. They have to feed, clothe, change and supervise the computerized babies.

"We want to discourage teens from early pregnancy," Ladd says. "And if they do get pregnant, we want to teach them what drugs and alcohol does to babies."

The computerized babies, which cost about $500 each, record how they are treated. If the teen throws it, shakes it, neglects or otherwise abuses it, the teacher will know, Ladd says.

"They think it's going to be all fun and games, it's just a doll," Ladd says. "By Monday morning, they are more than gracious about giving it back."

In class, usually health classes in middle school and home living in high school, students learn the facts about pregnancy and parenthood. They're taught how much a pregnancy and delivery costs and how much they will spend after the baby is born, Ladd says.

The kids have to take their baby everywhere with them, just like a real parent. They're given a diaper bag, a change of clothes and a baby stroller, all of which the students must carry wherever they go.

"By tending the baby, they can see how annoying it can be and how much fun they miss out on," Ladd says.

Thousands of students have gone through the program, which requires parental approval. Teachers like the program because it has an obvious effect on their students, Ladd says. Surveys taken before and after the "parenting" show that many attitudes about pregnancy and babies change.

"We get some who say that having a baby would be great. Then they come back and say they may never have a baby," Ladd says.

The program also addresses fetal alcohol syndrome, the most common, preventable birth defect, Ladd says.

"Baby? Think it over!!!" is one of 12 programs offered by the Sunrise Children's Foundation targeting children's wellness, Ladd says.

For more information on programs and volunteering, call the foundation at 731-8373.

Contact reporter Sonya Padgett at spadgett@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4564.