Tina Hopkins, of Ogden, is the adolescent pregnancy prevention educator at Youth & Shelter Services, Inc., located at 806 7th St., Suite U5. She has been the coordinator for one and a half years.
"A big part of my job is traveling to schools throughout Boone County to bring pregnancy prevention education to middle school and high school students," Hopkins said. "I also coordinate the coalition."
The month of October is "Let's Talk Month" in the state of Iowa. It is a time to emphasize the importance of communication between parents and their children to help young people develop positive, healthy attitudes and behaviors about sexuality. Research shows that teens who feel connected to their family and who understand their family's values about sexuality and relationships are more likely to avoid risk-taking behaviors. According to the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, parents can play a critical role in their children's' decisions about sex.
"It's important for parents to know that kids want to talk about these issues and it's important for parents to want to talk about these issues," Hopkins said. "Research shows that teens who discuss it with their parents are less likely to become pregnant."
Hopkins said Youth & Shelter Services is partnering with SAFE to hold informational booths at parent-teacher conferences throughout Boone County. Also, they will be hosting a middle school dance for all seventh- and eighth-grade students in Boone at the YMCA, 600 Carroll St., Oct. 25, from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Materials on preventing pregnancy will be available in addition to "Let's Talk Tins," which are tins containing open-ended questions to encourage
parents to speak with their children about issues faced by today's youth.
Beginning in November, the Boone County Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Coalition will be holding a Teen Clinic the first and third Thursdays of every month from 3:30-6 p.m. at The Livery, 806 7th St., in the upper level in Suite U2. The first day the Teen Clinic will be open is Thursday, Nov. 6. According to Hopkins,
Dr. Tracy Mcintire, an obstetrician and gynecologist in Boone, will be
available at the Teen
Clinic.
Walk-in services available at the Teen Clinic include: pregnancy testing, testing for sexually transmitted diseases including HIV, birth control, free condoms and information about the body and health.
"The most important thing we want people to know is it's not a place to promote kids to be sexually active, but it's a place to go when they need information," Hopkins said. "It's just for sexual health issues, so if someone has a cold, this won't be the place to go. Some birth control methods will be available for free. If someone wants something not available in that category, the doctor will write a prescription."
Hopkins said the target population for the Teen Clinic is 12-18 year olds, but parents are encouraged to come with their teen if they wish to do so. Also, teens are welcome to come by themselves.
"Parents are welcome to come with their teen. We want to be teen-friendly and family-friendly. Our goal is to not take parents out of the picture and include them in the decision-making process," Hopkins said.
Hopkins pointed out that teens do not have to be 18 to get a prescription for birth control.
"Legally, they can come in and get birth control and testing," she said.
Hopkins believes that the Teen Clinic is an important program to have in light of the high number of teen pregnancies in Boone County in 2007.
"There were 28 (teen) pregnancies in Boone County last year. For Boone County, that's a high percentage. We're above the Iowa state average. That's why it's important for people to know about this so they can get involved and talk to their kids," Hopkins said.
For more information on the Teen Clinic, contact Tina Hopkins at (515)433-2091 or call 1-877-811-PLAN.
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