Report addresses teen pregnancy issue in Wellington

By Cherry Sokoloski
North Forty News

In February, a coalition of Larimer County agencies engaged the citizens of Wellington in discussions about teen pregnancy. A report on what they found, along with recommendations, is now available.

The agencies involved include the Larimer County Department of Health and Environment, the Sexual Assault Victim Advocate Center and Healthier Communities Coalition of Larimer County.

The report includes recommendations for parents, community leaders and faith communities, as well as several web sites that offer guidance in setting up programs for youth and families.

"We are glad that so many people have joined the conversation about addressing the health needs of youth in Wellington, and that they are starting to think about what more can be done in order to have a positive impact," said Kori Wilford, health educator for the health department.

She added that it is vital for youth to have a say in what types of services and programs are available to them.

Several possible strategies are highlighted in the report. As a starting point, it recommends conducting a community assessment to determine the essential needs of Wellington's youth. It also advocates cooperation among agency leaders who work with youth, to help leaders develop a common set of goals.

The report pointed out that faith communities are strong in Wellington and could play an important role in addressing teen pregnancy. A useful web site is www.thenationalcampaign.org/resources/pdf/pubs/9Tips.

To give youth a stronger voice in town government, the report recommends establishing a youth advisory commission to serve as a link between the Wellington Town Board and the community's youth. Both Fort Collins and Loveland have such commissions in place.

Another recommendation suggests providing opportunities for youth to share their experiences in creative ways. A rural community in southern Colorado took on such a challenge and created a "Photovoice" project that shared the culture and struggles of youth in the community. In another small town, leaders organized an interactive health fair about the consequences of risky decisions, inviting both parents and their teens to participate.

The report suggests making more parent education available. One resource is the Parent Education Network of Larimer County, a group that meets quarterly to discuss resources and programs for parents. Many Larimer County agencies "are eager to provide services in the Wellington area," according to the report. Those services include programs about improving communication about sex and relationships.

There is information available about what types of programs are proven to be effective in changing risky sexual behavior and reducing teen pregnancy. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has information about these at www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/adolescentreprohealth/definescienceapproach.htm. In addition, several agencies in Larimer County offer free sexuality education and can train others who would like to implement such programs.