Delco Teen Pregnancy Prevention Coalition Conference

MEDIA, PA — May is National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month and the time for parents to talk to their kids about sex is now.

After consistent and steady declines that began in the early 1990s, teen pregnancy and birth rates in the United States are now on the rise. Recent studies show that teen pregnancy rose 3 percent in 2006 (the first increase since 1990), and the teen birth rate has increased by 5 percent, according to the Web site of the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy (www.thenationalcampaign.org).

Joseph Fay, executive director of the Pennsylvania Coalition to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, which provides statewide leadership on the issue of adolescent pregnancy, said, "Teen pregnancy rates have been increasing the past several years because more teens are having unprotected sex. We've got to do a better job of educating teens about the risks of sexual activity and where to go if they need help."

The Delaware County Teen Pregnancy Prevention Coalition is hosting the “Sex, Texts, and Sexting: Inside the Teenage Brain” conference on Thursday, May 20, 2010 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at the Delaware County Intermediate Unit, located in Morton, PA. This conference will increase understanding of the teen brain and how it affects teen sexuality, describe ways to prevent the rise in the rate of teen pregnancy, and identify the resources available in the community to address the teen pregnancy issue. The conference costs $15.00 and Social Work credits (for an additional fee) as well as Nursing Education credits are available. Pre-registration is required. For a brochure contact Helaine Brown at 610-690-7665 (hxb1@psu.edu) or Vanessa Walker at 610-713-2365 (WalkerV@co.delaware.pa.us)

The Delaware County Teen Pregnancy Prevention Coalition serves the community by providing educational programs on best practices, pregnancy prevention methods and risk factors for young pregnant women and young fathers. The coalition is also a monthly opportunity for service providers, school professionals and healthcare personnel to gather and discuss current research, emerging issues specific to youth in this county, and examine the services or gaps in services that help pregnant & parenting teens reach their potential and prevent future unwanted pregnancies. New members are welcome.