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A Strategic Approach to Teen Pregnancy Prevention. Presenter: Gale E. Grant, M.A., Adolescent Health Coordinator gale.grant@vdh.virginia.gov 205.3902. The BIG Goal.
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A Strategic Approach to Teen Pregnancy Prevention Presenter: Gale E. Grant, M.A., Adolescent Health Coordinator gale.grant@vdh.virginia.gov 205.3902
The BIG Goal By 2012, reduce the Richmond teen pregnancy rate for females ages 15 -17 to 25 per 1000 through the promotion and implementation of risk avoidance and risk reduction strategies. (Baseline 2007)
Strategies Implemented • School-Based teen pregnancy prevention sessions • Utilizing Social Networking • Health Promotion via school-based health fair and promotion month events • Involving teens • Adolescent Reproductive Health Services
HYPP Sessions • Introduction to Teen Pregnancy in Richmond • Sex and the City • Abstinence • The Cost of Teen Pregnancy • Teen Parenthood • Sexually Transmitted Diseases • Getting and Using Protection • Healthy and Unhealthy Relationships • Interconnections of Risky Behaviors • Refusal Skills • Sex and Technology • Next Steps: Plans for the Future
Involving Teens Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month Display AIDS Awareness Day 2012 Teens Panel Discussion at Seminar
Healthy Living for Youth Events Approximately 1200 students participated in 2012 health fair events!
Elementary and Middle School 5th graders • Abstinence • Puberty • Personal Hygiene • Media Influences • Peer Pressure • Refusal Skills 6th – 8th Grades Evidence-based abstinence education curriculum
Beyond the Classroom Search – Richmond Adolescent Health Program 411
Addressing Repeat Pregnancies Resource Mothers Program – pairs pregnant teens with experienced mothers to improve pregnancy outcomes and delay subsequent pregnancies
Teens and Sexuality • Frequent exposure to sexually explicit material • Inadequate role models • Few opportunities to practice healthy behaviors with the necessary reinforcement
What Can You Do? • Ask questions? • What do you think will happen if . . . ? • Have you thought about . . . ? • What will you do if . . . ? • Provide opportunities for youth to practice healthy decision making and reinforce it.