Help bring about change locally, regionally and nationally...

Your actions to reduce teen pregnancy can extend beyond how you personally get involved. We all have influence on our schools, families, workplaces, businesses, and on society. Here are some ways you can have a positive effect on teen pregnancy. 

1) Educators

• Mentor a student
• Contact your local guidance counselor for information
• Connect students with positive programs and activities
• Gather information about pregnancy prevention efforts
• Call 1-800-CHILDREN for information and resources involving teen sexuality
• Speak to your family and friends about the importance of being informed

2)  Business Community

• Mentor a young person in your community
• Hire or offer internships for City youth
• Become a champion/advocate for the issue of teen pregnancy prevention
• Offer health fairs and distribute teen pregnancy prevention information and literature to your employees
• Provide employee workshops on youth culture and risky behaviors
• Sponsor teen activities and outreach programs

3) Public Safety

• Attend teen pregnancy prevention workshops
• Enhance adolescent services by incorporating information on teen pregnancy prevention
• Mentor or volunteer with non profit organizations supporting teen programs and services

4) Health Community

• Physicians, nurses, medical assistants talk to teen patients about teen sexuality
• Provide teen pregnancy prevention information and materials in waiting areas
• Attend a SAGE (Sound Advice and Guidance Education) training. For more information contact Gale Grant, Richmond City Health District, 646-7316.
• Distribute and promote "Talk 2 Me" toolkits for parents

5)  Faith Community

• Create programs that engage young people
• Reach out to teen mothers and fathers and offer encouragement and support
• Promote family activities
• Create a mentor program
• Discuss teen pregnancy prevention information in church education programs and worship services
• Host "Talk 2 Me" parent forums

6)  Parents

• Talk to your children about teen sexuality
• Get involved, find out what’s going on in your child’s life
• Make sure your children receive regular health check-ups
• Sign your child up for activities, keep them busy
• Eat at least one meal together, as a family, daily
• Learn about youth culture and risk-taking behavior
• Call 1-800-CHILDREN for teen pregnancy prevention resources
• Talk to your children about their future goals
• Get your FREE "Talk 2 Me" toolkit and have regular discussion with your teens

7)  Policy Makers

• Continue to support  effective teen programs
• Speak to citizens and local civic organizations about the issue

8) Friends & Neighbors

• Become a mentor
• Create and maintain a safe neighborhood for youth
• Protect children in your neighborhoods
• Support parents

9) Youth

• Talk to your parents
• Ask questions about sex
• Talk to your friends about the importance of having safe sex
• Get involved in activities
• Set future goals
• Go to the doctor for health check-ups
• Eat well and get a lot of exercise