The YEAH! Network uses research, advocacy, and community education and collaboration to influence policy and practice in adolescent sexual health. By articulating a common agenda among diverse local, state, and national stakeholders, we are working to create an informed, empowered, and engaged response to teen pregnancy and sexual health disparities in Hampden County.




Friday, January 13, 2012

Upcoming Community Conversation for ACTION!

Business, Funders and Policy makers
Friday, March 2nd, 2012
at the Basketball Hall of Fame
8AM - 10:30AM

Everyone is part of the solution!  All events are free and open to all residents and business owners in Holyoke and Springfield. Food is provided but space is limited.  To reserve a seat at the table contact the YEAH! Network at 413-533-9324 or email us at cca@yeahnetwork.org

Call for Advocacy!


Dear Teen Parent Advocate,

We have an incredible opportunity to get dropout prevention legislation that supports high priority youth including expectant and parenting students passed this year! Your calls and emails are needed to make this a reality.

Please call or email your legislators!

**Use the script below to advocate for dropout prevention and recovery legislation that includes supports for expectant and parenting students. Include this Alliance fact sheet in your email. You can find your legislators and their contact information here.

You can also support the Boston PIC's Don't Hesitate, Legislate campaign also aiming to get dropout prevention and recovery legislation passed this year, by emailing this fact sheet to your legislators.

Script for calls and emails to advocate for dropout prevention legislation that includes supports for expectant and parenting students:

"Hi, my name is ________. I am from __________ (city/state) and am emailing/calling to urge Senator/Representative___________ to advocate that the joint committee on education report out a dropout prevention and recovery bill by January 31st and ensure that the legislation include the following 4 provisions:
  1. Include the graduation coach initiative proposed in S185, but ensure coaches work with expectant and parenting students.
  2. Add a provision to track parenting students to determine the number of these students and enable data driven interventions.
  3. Add a provision to ensure all parenting students access child care.
  4. Require all schools to create comprehensive plans to reduce the dropout rate. Ensure plans include supports for expectant and parenting students and maternity/paternity leave provisions.
(If emailing, including "Please see the attached fact sheet for more information" and attach this fact sheet.)

Thank you for your time.


Best,
E Peck Sign
Elizabeth Peck 
Massachusetts Alliance on Teen Pregnancy
Public Policy Director