Teens will be key to state pregnancy panel

Monday, March 25, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

Officials said they hope a diverse group of teens will apply for membership on the governor's youth advisory council, a key component of the state's war on teen pregnancy.

"If you're trying to design a program for adolescents, you have to have input from adolescents that is truly representative of the whole population," said Luana Ritch of the state Health Division.

"We want kids from every background and class standing, including maybe youth who have dropped out of school. That's the only way this will be truly meaningful."

In 1995, Nevada ranked second in the nation for teen pregnancy among girls 15 to 19 and first for girls 18 and 19. The state was 10th in teen pregnancies for girls younger than 15.

The creation of the 10-member youth advisory council is the first step of a new state program aimed at reducing the number of young mothers in Nevada.

State officials began accepting applications Friday from those ages 15 to 20. Miller will appoint members later this spring.

Ritch said officials are making a special effort to encourage at-risk youth to apply, not just honor students.

"We're advertising on radio stations these kids might listen to," she said. "And we're contacting programs that work with (at-risk) kids, hoping that we'll be able to get the word out to them.

"Maybe in examining what's going on with them we can make some policy moves to help others like them."

The new program was outlined in February by a state team composed of Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa and state health officials.

The team based its recommendations on public hearings in Las Vegas, Reno and Elko.

Plans call for the program to target youths with a statewide multimedia information and education campaign.

The program also will target young adult men who are responsible for the majority of teen pregnancies.