For Immediate Release                                                   Contact: Amanda Molk, 202-225-5256
April 30, 2003

NapolitanoParticipates in CHC Youth Forum

In honor of the “Día de los Niños,” the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) hosted its first annual Youth Issues Forum to highlight important concerns facing Hispanic youth.  As CHC Vice Chair, Rep. Grace F. Napolitano (D-CA38) noted the importance of the forum to discuss a wide variety of Latino youth issues: the treatment of Latino teens in the judicial system, child labor in America's agricultural fields, teen pregnancy and the mental health of Latina adolescents.  “It is critical for those people who are working on these issues in the communities and providing services at the local level to come and talk to Members of Congress so that we are informed.  This critical dialogue will help us better serve our constituents,” noted the Congresswoman.

Aida Feria, head of the Choices program in La Puente and Luis Garcia, Corporate Director of Latino Program Development for Pacific Clinics also participated in the forum.  Both organizations provide services to youth in the local area.  Feria discussed the issue of teen pregnancy in the Latina Community, and Garcia spoke on the mental health needs of young Latinas.

According to Feria, “The teen motherhood rate in the Latina community is almost double the national average and is the highest rate of any racial or ethnic group in the nation.  Approximately half of sexually active Latino and Latina adolescents do not use birth control regularly.  Among the reasons cited for this are difficulty accessing contraceptives and health clinics due to lack of transportation, fears among undocumented individuals and cost barriers.”

Garcia expanded upon Feria’s concerns, stating, “Hispanic girls lead girls nationwide in rates of teenage pregnancy, suicide attempts, alcohol and drug abuse, and self reported gun possession.  It is chilling that about one in three Hispanic girls report seriously considering suicide, the highest rate of any racial or ethnic group.”  Garcia also mentioned that mental health issues must be addressed in a comprehensive manner, and that solutions must involve mental health professionals, parents, schools, law enforcement officials and others to be successful.

Congresswoman Napolitano thanked the forum participants and reemphasized the importance of such forums in spurring congressional and community action.  “A similar briefing on Latina adolescents a few years ago led to the creation of a school-based program in my area that provides mental health services for young people — particularly Latinas,” she concluded.  To date the Congresswoman has secured $1.6 million in federal funding for Pacific Clinics to operate this program in four schools, and she hopes to secure more funding to expand the program next year in Pomona.

Representative Grace F. Napolitano, 38th District of California
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