Teen Pregnancy Prevention Day

Commissioner Burdick presents Health Department Director Dr. Alina Alonso with a proclamation declaring May 4 as Teen Pregnancy Prevention Day.

Commissioner Burdick presents Health Department Director Dr. Alina Alonso with a proclamation declaring May 4 as Teen Pregnancy Prevention Day.

Commissioner Burdick was a long-time member of the school district's teen pregnancy task force.

(l-r) Rev. Kevin Jones, Jenevie Clark, Alexis Jackson, Commissioner Burdick and Dr. Alina Alonso

About 100 students and parents, and public health and social service professionals attended.

In observance of Teen Pregnancy Prevention Day on May 4, Commissioner Paulette Burdick presented a proclamation and took part in a panel discussion at the Palm Beach County Health Department. Commissioner Burdick served on the school district’s teen pregnancy task force during her many years on the Palm Beach County School Board.

Each year, more than 1,200 babies are born to teen-age girls in Palm Beach County. Twenty percent of babies born to girls age 15-19 (approximately 275 per year) are the young mother’s second child. Even more alarming, 21 babies were born in the county last year to girls age 12-14.

These were some of the sobering statistics shared by officials with the Palm Beach County Teen Pregnancy Prevention Coalition with the intent of getting teens and their parents talking about sexual activity and the serious responsibilities that come with it.

Guest speakers included Health Department Director Dr. Alina Alonso, Jenevie Clark from Planned Parenthood’s Teen Time, youth advocate Rev. Kevin Jones of Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church in West Palm Beach, and 17-year-old Alexis Jackson, a junior at Atlantic High School in Delray Beach who became pregnant at 14. Alexis spoke frankly of the many challenges and hardships involved with raising her daughter, Symone, who is turning 3.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. Partners in the local initiative include the Palm Beach County Health Department, the School District of Palm Beach County, Planned Parenthood, Healthy Mothers/Healthy Babies, the Nurse Family Partnership, the Children’s Services Council, the Urban League, and the Women’s Foundation of Palm Beach County.