Berks Teens’ pregnancy prevention initiative, a program of Co-County Wellness Services, announced a significant decrease in teen birth rates in Berks County. Carolyn Bazik, Executive Director, recently shared the exciting news with funders in the community. This announcement is based on the newest data that has just been received from the Department of Health, from 2022.
A community health needs assessment done in 2012 clearly outlined the need to do something impactful. Berks Teens, formerly Berks Teens Matter, was formed in 2014 to reduce teen pregnancy by 40% by 2022. Modeled as a collective of private and public stakeholders and as an initiative of Co-County Wellness Services, the goal was to develop and implement a plan, programs, and practices to reduce teen pregnancy. Many community partners lent support to the initiative from its inception including Berks County Community Foundation, United Way, Wyomissing Foundation, The Kindness Coalition, and Senator Judy Schwank.
Since the program began in 2014, the teen birth rate has declined by 60.3% in the city of Reading and 56.5% in the county.
“There had never been any programs in our community aimed at primary teen pregnancy prevention,” said Bazik, “or programs that taught youth the importance of postponing pregnancy until they were emotionally and financially capable. But there were a lot of programs that assisted teens after the birth of their child.”
Berks Teens created a peer education group at Reading High School and a virtual group throughout the county. The Youth Ambassador program focuses on educating teen volunteers on things like consent, healthy relationships, birth control, and sexual health and follows the principles of comprehensive sex education. The Youth Ambassadors educate their peers and other youth throughout the community. They work with adolescents at programs like the Olivet Boys and Girls Club and create health campaigns at school.
Berks Teens also started a Health Resource Center, funded by Access Matters, and based in Reading High School. They also conduct educational training in the community on things like “Giving the Talk”, “Supporting LGBTQ Youth”, and “Being an Askable Adult”.
These numbers show that the investments that have been made and continue to be made are paying off! Through increased education and awareness, birth rates are impacted, and for the first time in 12 years, the county’s rate is better than that of the United States.
Carolyn Bazik said, “We knew when we began that the results would be slow in coming, but with continued efforts at raising awareness, the support of other community organizations, and the growing success of the Health Resource Center at the high school, we are making a difference.”
This initiative was funded in part by support from multiple funds, including Arrow International Scholarship Fund, Bill Woolworth Memorial Fund for Berks Teens, Community General Hospital Fund, Hawley and Myrtle Quier Fund, Home Health Care Foundation Fund, Kim and Kevin Murphy Fund, and the Power of the Purse Fund, all managed by Berks County Community Foundation. For more information on Berks Teens or Co-County Wellness Services, contact info@cocounty.org.
