Charge

The Teen Pregnancy and STD Prevention Work Group is charged with (1) implementing the recommendations of A Community Strategic Plan for Preventing Teen Pregnancies and Sexually Transmitted Diseases, (2) prioritizing, updating and revising those recommendations as needed, (3) serving as the community’s advocacy group to promote area prevention efforts, and (4) making recommendations to CCF, local governments and schools about needed initiatives, resources, and services that will help maintain the present decline in teen pregnancies and reduce the incidence of teen STDs.


Background

In September, 1999, a committed group of community activists (including several current work group members) produced the results of several years of concerted, collaborative effort: A Strategic Plan to Prevent Teen Pregnancies and Sexually-Transmitted Diseases in Charlottesville and Albemarle County, Virginia. This plan described a rigorously researched and systemic method to enhance the physical and emotional health of local youth, including recommendations aimed at families, schools, faith communities, health care providers, youth- and family-serving agencies, and businesses. A primary recommendation to hire a local coordinator supervised by a Commission on Children and Families work group was funded and implemented in the fall of 2000.

During the first three years of this initiative, local school family life educators received training, a youth service learning work group was formed, and much education and awareness-raising occurred.
While the teen pregnancy rate has decreased, sexually-transmitted infections continue to pose a formidable challenge, with their long-term consequences and multiple methods of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Tracking sexually-transmitted infections in teens is more difficult than tracking teen pregnancies, and prevention messages for these infections are more complex and complicated.

Teen sexuality is a topic that is often politicized. Our mission statement is:

All teens are entitled to opportunities to fulfill their potentials. An adolescence characterized by respect, good health, avenues for learning, and hope for the future provides such opportunities. Pregnancies and sexually-transmitted diseases during adolescence rob youth of these opportunities.

Our mission is to prevent adolescent pregnancies and sexually-transmitted diseases through a comprehensive, community-wide, collaborative effort that promotes abstinence, self-respect, constructive life options, and responsible decision-making about sexuality.



Teen Pregnancy/Sexually Transmitted Disease Prevention Work Group Members

Debra Abbott, Stillwater Institute for Social Justice

Joe Allen, University of Virginia

Dyan Aretakis, Teen Health Center

Gretchen Ellis, Commission on Children and Families

Maureen Burkhill, FOCUS-Teensight

Ayana Conway, Weed and Seed Network

Madison Cummings, Commission on Children and Families

Pamela Kulbok, University of Virginia

Nick Mattsson, Thomas Jefferson Health District

Bob Parker, Thomas Jefferson Health District

Emily Umberger, Planned Parenthood of the Blue Ridge, Inc.

Susan Winslow, Martha Jefferson Hospital Community Services

[Download complete contact information for work group members]

TP/STD Subcommittees

Service Providers Subcommittee
Youth Service Subcommittee
Strategic Planning Subcommittee
Public Awareness Subcommittee


Community Coordinator for Teen Pregnancy/Sexually Transmitted Disease Prevention

Mary Sullivan
Teen Health Center
UVa Health System
1400 West Main Street
Charlottesville, VA 22903
434-982-0090
masullivan58@earthlink.net

Please contact Mary Sullivan to be placed on the Teen Pregnancy and STD Prevention Network Report mailing list or to publicize a related event. She can also direct you to educational and awareness-raising materials and local information and events. Teen helpcards (with local information) are available for teens, parents, schools, churches, community agencies, and businesses.