Register at cca@yeahnetwork.org or call 413-533-9324
Background
Although Massachusetts has one of the lowest teen birth rates in the US, the 2008 Massachusetts Birth report shows a disturbing and persistent trend (1). There are communities in Hampden County with teen birth rates that remain significantly above the state and national average. In 2008, the disparity in the teen birth rate across race and ethnicity was worse in Massachusetts compared to the nation. The teen birth rate for non- Hispanic Blacks was 3x higher compared to non-Hispanic White. Hispanics teens fair worse with teen birth rates almost 6x higher than non-Hispanic whites (2). In 2008, Springfield had the 6th highest teen birth rate in the commonwealth as well as significantly higher rates of Chlamydia and Gonorrhea compared to the state rate (3). These statistics indicate that adverse outcomes in adolescent reproductive health in Hampden County continue to be a persistent public health problem that compromises the future prosperity of youth in the region.
A window of opportunity
The political will currently exists. The cities of Holyoke and Springfield each have a task force, enacted by the Mayor, to develop recommendations the city can adapt to reduce the rates of teen births. In addition, there is currently over a million dollars worth of funding and assistance over the next 3-4 years that supports programming and policy change in adolescent sexual health. In order to maximize, the impact of the political and funding window of opportunity, we must act collectively to ensure that we develop the right solutions that provides accountability and sustainability of the current efforts.
Everyone is part of the solution!
The community conversations for ACTION! is a series of meetings to engage the broader community in developing the solutions that will help teens make healthy decisions that postpone early childbearing and increase their chance of a prosperous future. The CCA Series will create a forum for these stakeholders to share their views and perspectives as well as develop action steps to address the issue.
Event Objectives
1. Develop a shared understanding of the role of the (stakeholder) community in addressing teen pregnancy
2. Develop a shared understanding of the current resources (funding/initiatives) available to address teen pregnancy in Holyoke and Springfield
3. Participants develop action steps to address teen pregnancy within their (stakeholder) community
A window of opportunity
The political will currently exists. The cities of Holyoke and Springfield each have a task force, enacted by the Mayor, to develop recommendations the city can adapt to reduce the rates of teen births. In addition, there is currently over a million dollars worth of funding and assistance over the next 3-4 years that supports programming and policy change in adolescent sexual health. In order to maximize, the impact of the political and funding window of opportunity, we must act collectively to ensure that we develop the right solutions that provides accountability and sustainability of the current efforts.
Everyone is part of the solution!
The community conversations for ACTION! is a series of meetings to engage the broader community in developing the solutions that will help teens make healthy decisions that postpone early childbearing and increase their chance of a prosperous future. The CCA Series will create a forum for these stakeholders to share their views and perspectives as well as develop action steps to address the issue.
Event Objectives
1. Develop a shared understanding of the role of the (stakeholder) community in addressing teen pregnancy
2. Develop a shared understanding of the current resources (funding/initiatives) available to address teen pregnancy in Holyoke and Springfield
3. Participants develop action steps to address teen pregnancy within their (stakeholder) community