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Advocates for Youth provides training on strategies for improving access to emergency contraception (EC) for teens; youth-friendly clinical practices for providing EC; outreach to diverse, ethnic populations of teens; strategies for involving males in sexual health programs; minor consent and confidentiality laws; linking youth-serving organizations and family planning clinics; managing controversy; model programs to provide EC to teens; effective collaboration between health care providers and pharmacists; building youth-adult partnerships; and statistics and trends related to EC use among adolescents.
Sample Training Overview
EC is a method of birth control that may be used after a contraceptive accident, a sexual assault or unprotected sexual intercourse. Despite declines in adolescent pregnancy rates, each year as many as 750,000 to 850,000 teens still experience a pregnancy. EC could avert as many as 50 percent of these pregnancies and subsequent abortions among American teens. Currently, only one dedicated brand of emergency contraception pills (ECPs), Plan B® is available. Yet, little information about EC has reached adolescents.
This workshop emphasizes the important role of health educators and providers in helping to increase awareness of and access to EC for adolescents. The presentation includes: an overview of EC; an introduction to Plan B®; a discussion of access issues, the cost of EC, and the special needs of adolescents, and examples of innovative efforts and resources. Both teens and professionals will share their own perspectives about EC. The workshop provides important information for those who have not previously attended a workshop on emergency contraception. At the end of the session, participants will be able to: - explain four basic myths and facts about EC,
- list two reasons why access to EC is important for adolescents,
- explain the benefits of anticipatory provision of EC to teens, and
- identify three resources and three "best practices" for EC provision based on case studies and national, state, and local efforts.
Sample Training Agenda
Title: Emergency Contraception (EC) and Adolescents: A Workshop for Educators and Health Providers
Date: Thursday, March 19, 2009
Time: 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Location: Ramada Inn and Conference Center | 9:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. | Registration and Light Refreshments | | 10:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. | Opening, Welcome and Introductions | | 10:15 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. | Emergency Contraception 101 | | | Overview of emergency contraception | | | Myths and facts about EC | | | Barriers to teen access | | | Youth-friendly services | | 11:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. | Break | | 11:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Effective EC Communication Strategies and Controversy Management | | 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. | Lunch (served) | | 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. | Perspectives of Teens on Reproductive Health Issues and Access to Services | | 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. | Perspectives of Local Health Professionals on Emergency Contraception | | 3:30 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. | Break | | 3:45 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. | Public Education (Action Steps) & Closing | | 4:15 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. | Training Evaluation and Closing | Updated January 2008
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