Positive Youth Development and Teen Pregnancy Prevention

Program Mission

The SPARK program aims to prevent teen and adolescent pregnancy and support those who are already pregnant or parenting through a positive youth development framework.

Program Details

SPARK stands for Supporting and educating the importance of Preventing unintended pregnancies among Adolescents while providing Resources on positive youth development and increasing their Knowledge.

What can be done to prevent teen pregnancy, support adolescents, and set them up for healthy futures?

For Parents

• Start early
• Talk openly about relationships and expectations
• Make sure your teen knows what a healthy relationship should look and feel like
• Ask important questions
• Be an “askable parent”, but not a friend
• Supervise and monitor your children and adolescents
• Know you children’s friends and their families
• Help your teenagers to have options for the future that more attractive than early pregnancy and parenthood
• Let your kids know that you value education and goals highly
• Be involved, and know what your kids are watching, reading, and listening to

For Youth

• Be clear about your values when dating
• Ask adults important questions
• Set boundaries for yourself, and respect those of others
• Decide if you are ready to start dating
• Talk openly with your parents
• Think about the future and how the decisions you make now can affect your future goals and dreams

Having these conversations with your teens may be hard, but experiencing teen pregnancy is harder.

Get Help Today!

The SPARK Coordinator can prepare presentations and workshops on issues dealing with teen pregnancy and teen parenting, as well as other related topics to positive youth development such as healthy relationships, financial literacy, setting and respecting boundaries, bullying, etc.