Citation URL: http://www.urban.org/AngelaRomanoPapillo

A 50-state survey of state policies and programs to discourage teen and nonmarital childbearing conducted by Child Trends in 2001 analyzes changes since the 1999 and 1997 surveys. State efforts to prevent teen pregnancy and early childbearing changed little between 1999 and 2001 with one exception. More states reported school-based abstinence education in 2001 than in 1999. Although states focused less effort on nonmarital pregnancy prevention than on teen pregnancy prevention, states are emphasizing welfare caps, improved access to contraceptive service, programs encouraging unmarried pregnant couples to marry, and youth development or young adult education programs. The online version of the brief includes tables that identify the teen and nonmarital childbearing programs in place in each state.

By the time they enter kindergarten, most children have already had experiences with a variety of nonparental caregivers in either home-based or center-based child care settings. Children’s use of and experiences in early care and education are influenced by a variety of interrelated family and community factors, including the quality and availability of care.

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