Reproductive Health Education
Reducing the Risk Curriculum | Youth Sexual Health Coalition | Pregnancy and Sexually Transmitted Infections Presentations | What Families Should Know About Teens, Sex & Abstinence | Resources & Links
What Families Should Know About Teens, Sex & Abstinence
Talking to your children about sexuality and abstinence is not always easy, but it is very important! Parents and caregivers play a critical role in their children's decisions about sex. Information is available to help you have an open, honest, and informed conversations about sex with your children. Download tips here in English or in Spanish. Additional information is also available by emailing or calling Heather at (616) 393-5774.
Please take the time to complete a short survey regarding "What Families should know about Teens, Sex and Abstinence." This feedback is very helpful for the Ottawa Youth Sexual Health Coalition in understanding if this information is useful to parents and caregivers. Thank you for your input, we greatly appreciate your feedback. Take the Survey.
Reducing the Risk Curriculum
This 16 lesson, research-based curriculum is designed to reduce the risk of teen pregnancy and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) among 9th and 10th grade students. Schools implementing Reducing the Risk will receive free facilitation of the program, including pre and post testing, along with follow-up. Lessons include activities which focus on building skills to prevent pregnancy, STI and HIV by teaching refusal skills, communication and risks of sexual activity. For more information please contact Heather Alberda at (616) 393-5774.
Ottawa County Youth Sexual Health Coalition (OCYSHC)
Our Mission: We collaborate with each other and the community to reduce the consequences of youth sexual activity by promoting healthy sexuality.
Our Vision: Develop a model that integrated/coordinates the resources of our coalition to empower youth to make positive choices that promote healthy sexuality and avoid negative consequences of sexual behavior.
The Ottawa County Health Department (OCHD) is working in collaboration with the Greater Ottawa County United Way, Lakeshore Pregnancy Center, Michigan Works and Teen Moms to address the issue of teen sexual health in Ottawa County. In 2003 the Greater Ottawa County United Way’s Ottawa County Community Assessment reported teen pregnancy as the number 2 top issue among community members. In response, the OCHD and the Greater Ottawa County United Way are working together to form a youth sexual health coalition in OC.
Currently data is being collected to determine what community members would like to see change or happen to address the issue of teen sexual health in Ottawa County.
View the collected data results from the parent survey: Ottawa County 2005 Community School District Education Survey.
For more
information or if you are interested in joining the coalition please
contact Heather Alberda at (616) 393-5774.
Pregnancy and Sexually Transmitted Infections Presentations
Health Educators are available for classroom presentations on risks associated with sexual activity, sexually transmitted infections, prevention methods including abstinence and contraceptives. Information regarding health department clinic services, family planning and STI clinics will also be given to students. For more information please contact Heather Alberda at (616) 393-5774.
Resources & Links to Family Planning/STD Clinics
Ottawa Youth Sexual Health Coalition
National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy
Advocates for Youth
Plain Talk/Hablando Claro
