It's a critical moment for teen health!
In the best of times, we work to make sure young people have access to sex education, sexual and reproductive healthcare, and supportive programming - all critical services they need to grow up healthy. We're doing that same work in the worst of times, too.
Right now, the schools and community agencies that traditionally provide health education are shuttered. Healthcare providers are enforcing safety protocols that make them seem unapproachable. Policymakers and public health agencies are (rightfully) focused on stemming the effects of Covid-19.
During this time, we are focused on ensuring that young people still have access to the support and services they need by helping our partners pivot to new strategies, technologies, and mechanisms for supporting young people.
We're helping health partners integrate best practices for teen-friendly healthcare into their growing use of telemedicine - and we're helping young people and families understand, navigate, and trust available services. We're elevating reliable digital resources to help young people and parents fill the sex ed gaps, acquire birth control, and find crisis support in isolation. We're advocating to make policies smarter, so they work better for young people right now and in the future. And, like you, we're on Zoom an awful lot.
The future looks uncertain for everyone right now. It looks even more uncertain for young people who don't know how to find the information, healthcare, and support they need.
Your support will help ensure that North Carolina can adapt and innovate to provide young people with the sexual health services they need now and in the future.