Adolescent Health and Youth Development (AHYD)
Community Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program
What is the purpose of the program?
The purpose of the Adolescent Health and Youth Development (AHYD) program is to enhance the skills and improve the health status of Georgia's adolescents through opportunities and programs developed in collaboration with families, communities, schools and other public and private organizations throughout Georgia. The focus of the AHYD "Community Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program" initiative is to improve the quality and/or quality of adolescent health and youth development services, by building upon and expanding existing community resources.
Why is the program important?
AHYD programs and services provide a network of community-based support to help adolescents succeed as they move into adulthood by focusing on the "assets" of individual youth and their families. AHYD-sponsored programs reinforce positive attitudes, healthy behaviors and activities, and reduce risk-taking behaviors, such as violence, substance abuse, poor school performance and out-of-wedlock teen sexual activity.
Who is eligible?
AHYD programs and services target youth age 10 through 19.
What does the AHYD program do?
The Georgia Department of Public Health, Family Health Branch administers the AHYD Program. AHYD program strategies and activities are an integral part of the Georgia Maternal Child Health System. Community Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program funded activities include:
- Health education and awareness to inform, educate, and empower youth, families and communities regarding adolescent health issues, including "youth assets" development;
- Partner collaboration and referral to link youth and their families to comprehensive, quality systems of preventive, primary and specialty health care and other community resources, including youth development; and
- Clinical health services to assure the provision of care when otherwise unavailable.
How many people does the program help?
In FY 2006, the Office of Adolescent Health and Youth Development Community Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program provided individual services to 22,804 youth statewide including 9,717 comprehensive health services and 5,595 referrals to health and community services.
Are services located throughout the State?
Yes, AHYD program strategies and activities are based on best practice approaches and needs assessment data. Community Teen Pregnancy Prevention Programs are located in 16 communities in 13 health districts. Teen pregnancy prevention services and adolescent health outreach are often provided in counties where there are no Teen Centers.
Outcome measures are directly linked to national and state goals for reducing welfare dependency, specifically:
- Reduce the percent of repeat pregnancies among adolescents, aged 15 through 17.
- Reduce the rate (per 1,000) of births for teenagers, aged 15 through 17.
- Reduce the rate (per 100,000) of deaths to children, ages 14 years and younger, caused by motor vehicle crashes.
- Reduce the percent of children without health insurance, aged 10 through 19.
- Increase the percent of youth with special health care needs who received the services necessary to make transitions to all aspects of adult life, including adult health care, work, and independence.
Legislative authority
The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act of 1996, a federal welfare reform law requiring state initiatives on teenage pregnancy prevention, out-of-wedlock births, and male responsibility.
Contact: Office of Adolescent Health & Youth Development
Phone: (404) 656-6679
http://health.state.ga.us/programs/adolescent/
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