It's going to take many different approaches. Health officials say there are eight good reasons for communities to involve teens in the planning and implementation of teen pregnancy prevention programs. Teens can design authentic programs that speak to their real needs. Teen involvement may create a favorable reputation for a program among teens. Teens themselves often are the best recruiters for a program.
Teens can help develop messages that make a difference.
Teens can help hire staff whom young people will respond to. Teens can help design an accessible program and suggest sites, activities and hours of service to create a program that works. Teens can help keep a program strong by providing automatic feedback to make small, ongoing improvements. A poster contest by the Oak Grove Teen Pregnancy Prevention Project with local prizes by business sponsors will be held and winning posters will be featured in a calendar for next school year. Local businesses are donating prizes from movie passes to meals.