Policy Recommendations (policy)

Boston, MA—According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, the national 2006 teen birth rate increased from 71.6 births per 1000 teen girls aged 15-19, to 80.7, a 12.7% increase. Holyoke’s rate is the highest in the state.

So what can Hampden County do? { Read more … }

Boston, MA—On Thursday April 3, at 10 AM hundreds of teen parents from across the Commonwealth will come to the Great Hall at the State House to share the truth about young parenthood with policymakers who make critical decisions that impact young families’ lives. They will challenge the stereotypes and debunk the Hollywood myths as they tell their stories of struggle and triumph, with the hope that legislators will see not just the challenges ahead, but teen parents’ potential for a bright future. { Read more … }

Boston, MA — On Thursday March 19th, 10 AM Hundreds of teen parents from across the Commonwealth will come to the Great Hall and Grand Stair Case at the State House to challenge stigmas, share their education successes, and ask legislators to support the teen parent programs that make their successes possible. The teen parent population is growing, with 4944 babies born to teens in 2007—an increase of 8% since 2005. { Read more … }