take action!

A Work in Progress: Building a Minnesota state plan for teen pregnancy prevention and parenting describes the multi-faceted strategies that our state needs to help prevent teen pregnancy and strengthen the healthy development of all of our young people.

Our recommendations are grounded in approaches and methods that are supported by scientific evidence, where there is the greatest likelihood of success. And success comes from the application of multiple strategies rather than a single approach.

For adults who are reluctant to invest up front in our young people, we need to be clear: We will pay now, or we will pay later. And if we pay later, our costs in terms of material resources and loss of human potential will be much, much greater.

Now is the time for us to invest in the healthy development of all of our young people.

what can we do?

Read the State Plan and send us your feedback

Join the community and receive regular updates on teen pregnancy issues via e-mail; write to prc@umn.edu or call 612-626-2820.

Write and call your elected representatives and ask them to support the State Plan recommendations

Ask your local school board members or principal whether the schools in your area teach comprehensive sexuality education

Stay informed! Watch your local papers for stories about youth activities in your community and teen pregnancy prevention efforts in your community

Talk to the youth in your lives and be a mentor

Write a letter to the editor

Organize/attend a candidate forum in your community and ask candidates their position on the State Plan recommendations

Stay connected with the Task Force and learn what you can do in your community.