Policy Elements

Policy Elements

HSM 240

Milisa Jones

December 16, 2011

Tammy Cooper- McCreary

One of the programs that the Healthy Teen Network has that I would like to give an analysis to is: A Policy Platform to Promote Health and Success among Young Families. Healthy Teen Network believes that all youth can make responsible decisions regarding their sexual, reproductive, and parenting behaviors when they have complete, accurate and culturally relevant age-, gender-, and developmentally appropriate information, resources, and support. Teen pregnancy prevention, both primary and subsequent, must remain a major focus of public policy pertaining to child, youth, and family health and wellbeing. Many young families face multiple barriers to health and wellbeing not only because the parents are still youth themselves but also because many are at a lower socioeconomic status than their non-parenting peers.

The specialized service needs of young families are often overlooked in both family and youth policies and practices. Healthy Teen Network’s recommendations, with notable exceptions, highlight the need for public policies intended to help adolescents transition successfully into adulthood that reflect the developmental reality of adolescence.

Healthy Teen Network understands there are multiple factors effecting adolescent reproductive health and parenting. Our policy platform is based on three guiding principles:

The vision of Healthy Teen Network is a national community where all adolescents and young adults, including teen parents, are supported and empowered to lead healthy sexual, reproductive, and family lives; their belief is that public policy must address the needs of marginalized populations; and that any policy initiatives must be based on the best available evidence.

According to the Healthy Teen Network Organization, its analysis of young family needs and gaps in resources and services among the following seven “life domains:”

I. Health and Human...