Own your health journey. Start here.

Take control of your health and well-being and access essential information about reproductive health and STIs.

Healthy bodies. Healthy minds. Empowered lives.

Are you curious about your body? Do you have questions about reproductive health, pregnancy, puberty, relationships, or STIs? You're not alone! Youth Empowerment Services! (YES!) is here to support you.

What is YES!?
‍We're a team of youth, parents, nurses, doctors, educators, and counselors who want to help you make informed decisions about your health. We provide accurate information about:

Pregnancy Prevention
Birth Control Options
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

‍YES! has partnered with Klingberg Family Centers and Family Enrichment Center at The Hospital of Central Connecticut to provide free, high-quality education to teens and families in New Britain. Our programs are memorable and fun. More importantly, they contain answers to your questions about reproductive health, relationships, and communication.

Why is this important?
For teens, knowing about your body and your options empowers you to:

Build Healthy Relationships
Feel Confident in Your Decisions
Promote Your Health and Overall Well-Being
Protect Yourself From STIs
Prevent Mistimed Pregnancy

For parents, keeping an open line of communication with your teen is essential. We are here to support you as you help your teen navigate their way through adolescence.

Curious About Reproductive Health? You're Not Alone.

It's a vital aspect of overall well-being, yet it's often shrouded in silence and misinformation.

What is reproductive health?

Teen reproductive health encompasses the physical, emotional, relational, and social well-being related to sexuality and topics such as puberty, anatomy and physiology, contraception, sexually transmitted infections, abstinence, and more. Access to comprehensive information and healthcare services is crucial for young people to make informed choices about their bodies and relationships.

Are you a teen or adult? Choose below!

We believe that empowering young people with accurate information about reproductive health is crucial for their well-being. That's why we're dedicated to providing teens with the knowledge and resources they need to make informed decisions about their health, their bodies, and their future.

We also provide information and resources for parents, caregivers, and trusted adults. We understand that open communication between teens and adults can feel challenging, but it's essential for building trust and supporting their overall health. We offer guidance and tools for parents and caregivers to foster those important conversations, creating a safe space for questions, concerns, and support. By working together, we can help young people navigate this stage of life with confidence and resilience.

FAQs

What are my sexual and reproductive healthcare and related rights?

When it comes to reproductive and sexual health rights for teens, the state of Connecticut has laws and regulations in place. As a teen, it’s important to know what your rights are for navigating issues with your sexual and reproductive health. In the state of Connecticut, a minor is allowed to receive care and treatment without parental consent for the following list of services:

Reproductive Healthcare
Pregnancy Testing and Counseling
HIV Testing (*Parental consent is necessary if the physician needs to treat a minor who’s infected with HIV or AIDS unless the doctor thinks that the parent will deny treatment, or if the minor will not start or continue the treatment if the parents/guardians are notified without the minor’s consent.)
Termination of Pregnancy, Including Emergency Contraception (Commonly known as the "morning-after" pill.)
Outpatient Mental Health Treatment
Testing of Sexually Transmitted Infections, or STI’s (*If a minor is under the age of 12, then the healthcare provider is obligated to report the name, age, and address of the minor to the commissioner of DCF, or the Department of Children and Families.)

For more details about your sexual and reproductive healthcare rights, view this resource from the Center for Children's Advocacy:

Is it Confidential? (in English)
¿Es Confidencial? (in Spanish)

What/Who is a "trusted adult"?

If you’ve got questions, need help and support, or need to confide in someone about your reproductive or sexual health situation or rights, then a great first step is to locate and identify a trusted adult. Trusted adults can help you advocate for yourself, provide transport to medical, therapy, or other types of appointments, and be someone trustworthy who you can talk to. But in order to find a trusted adult, you first have to learn how to identify one. Below are some simple guidelines to help you get started. A trusted adult should:

Actively listen and engage with you without judgment
Offer support and encouragement
Be a role model to you because that person has characteristics, interests, or values that you admire and want to have for yourself
Offer emotional support, helpful suggestions, and solid solutions, and encourage positive outcomes
Be transparent, have strong boundaries, and share similar values with you and your family

What are the symptoms of STIs?

The most common symptom of an STI is no symptom at all. You can't tell if someone has an STI simply by looking at them. This can increase the likelihood of transmitting it to your partner. When symptoms are present, they commonly include things like vaginal or urethral discharge, genital ulcers, or lower abdominal pain. These are very vague symptoms that may not cause a person to even consider that they may have an STI. This is why it is important to talk honestly with your partner, get tested, and have safer sex.

What are the consequences of STIs?

It's important to be tested and treated for STIs because if left untreated, they can have long-term and life-long effects on a person. An untreated STI can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can make it very difficult to get pregnant. An untreated STI can lead to infertility, and may also cause neurological conditions or cardiovascular disease. Additionally, untreated STIs during pregnancy pose a risk not only to the mother, but also to the fetus. Both syphilis and HIV can cross through the placenta and can infect the baby in utero. Other STIs like gonorrhea, chlamydia, hepatitis B, and genital herpes can be transmitted from mother to baby as the baby passes through the birth canal. Remember, most STIs have no symptoms at all, but they are treatable with medication. STIs can have serious, long-term consequences affecting your overall health, future goals, and future family planning.

Why are condoms so important?

Correct use of a condom, unlike other birth control methods, acts as a barrier that can help prevent the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. It can also help prevent an unplanned or mistimed pregnancy.

Are there any contraceptives that are 100% effective?

No, there are no contraceptives that are 100% effective in preventing pregnancies and/or STIs. Abstinence is the only method that is guaranteed to prevent mistimed pregnancies and/or STIs.

What are the resources for teens who identify as LGBTQ+?

The Trevor Project is a leading national organization that provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ+ young people aged 13-24. Through its 24/7, toll-free hotline, online chat, and text message services, the Trevor Project offers a safe and supportive space for young people to connect with trained counselors who understand the unique challenges they face. The organization also works to create a more accepting and inclusive world for LGBTQ+ youth through advocacy, education, and research.

The Youth Pride Association (YPA) is a national non-profit organization that works to create accepting environments for LGBTQ+ people in schools. They offer support services to LGBTQ+ students, including support groups and peer mentorships.

Planned Parenthood offers a wide range of resources and services designed to support LGBTQ+ teens. Their comprehensive approach includes information on sexual health, birth control, STI prevention, and pregnancy planning. Additionally, Planned Parenthood provides mental health counseling, support groups, and referrals to local LGBTQ+ organizations. Their goal is to empower young people with accurate information and resources so they can make informed decisions about their health and well-being.

For more answers to common questions, please visit www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/teens

Get Informed

Empowering yourself with knowledge about sexual and reproductive health is an important step towards making informed decisions about your body and well-being as a teenager.

Visit the Planned Parenthood website for a wealth of knowledge about sexual and reproductive health
Visit Amaze.org for educational videos
Have a question? Talk to a trusted adult!
Bring your partner and attend an event! Visit our facebook page for the most current info on upcoming events.
Know your sexual and reproductive health related rights.
Have LGBTQ+-related questions? Visit thetrevorproject.org and ypapride.org to valuable information and resources.

Take Action!

Use Your School-Based Health Center: You can get tested, free of charge, for pregnancy and STIs, and you can access birth control and condoms. If you are under 18, your parent MUST sign the consent form to enroll.
Get Tested: Visit the City of New Britain Sexually Transmitted Disease clinic @ 61 Pearl Street. You can also click here to locate an alternative testing facility near you. There are many free or low-cost options, spread the word!

Adverse Effects of Teen Pregnancy

By age 22, only around 50% of teen mothers have received a high school diploma and only 30% have earned a General Education Development (GED) certificate, whereas 90% of women who did not give birth during adolescence receive a high school diploma.¹
Only about 10% of teen mothers complete a two- or four-year college program.²
Teen fathers have a 25-30% lower probability of graduating from high school than teenage boys who are not fathers.³

Children who are born to teen mothers also experience a wide range of problems. For example, they are more likely to:

have a higher risk for low birth weight and infant mortality
have lower levels of emotional support and cognitive stimulation
have fewer skills and are less prepared to learn when they enter kindergarten
have behavioral problems and chronic medical conditions
rely more heavily on publicly funded health care
have higher rates of foster care placement
be incarcerated at some point during adolescence
have lower school achievements
drop out of high school
give birth as a teen
be unemployed or underemployed as a young adult⁴

These immediate and long-lasting effects continue for teen parents and their children even after adjusting for the factors that increased the teen’s risk for pregnancy—e.g., growing up in poverty, having parents with low levels of education, growing up in a single-parent family, and having a low attachment to and poor performance, in school.⁵

Source: https://youth.gov/youth-topics/pregnancy-prevention/adverse-effects-teen-pregnancy

¹ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC), 2011; Hoffman & Maynard, 2008
² Hoffman & Maynard, 2008
³ Covington, Peters, Sabia, & Price, 2011; Fletcher & Wolfe,2012
⁴ CDC, 2011c; Hoffman & Maynard, 2008
⁵ CDC, 2011b

FAQs

At what age should the initial reproductive health visit take place?

Per American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the initial reproductive health visit should take place between the ages of 13 and 15 years. Note: a pelvic exam is usually not needed on the first visit unless there are problems such as abnormal bleeding or pain.

What are the qualities of a "trusted adult"?

A trusted adult may be a parent/caregiver but can be any adult who is a part of the child’s safe natural network through family and other institutions.

Be someone who “listens and talks, not tells”: Youth identify trusted adults by their willingness to listen and engage, rather than lecture and give orders. Have open conversations about teen interests and issues, such as mental health, social media, bullying, relationships and friendships, school and their future dreams and plans.
Ask questions. Offer support and encouragement: Youth are often unsure of their own talents and interests, and how to navigate social relationships. Trusted adults help build their confidence in their ability to share themselves with others.
Be a role model: Youth often choose “trusted adults” who have characteristics, and/or work and interests that they admire and would like to develop for themselves.

What are the symptoms of STIs?

The most common symptom of an STI is no symptom at all. You can't tell if someone has an STI simply by looking at them. This can increase the likelihood of transmitting it to a partner. When symptoms are present, they commonly include things like vaginal or urethral discharge, genital ulcers, or lower abdominal pain. These are very vague symptoms that may not cause a person to even consider that they may have an STI.

What are the consequences of STIs?

Why are condoms so important?

How to Communicate with Your Teens

Parents, when communicating with your teens, it’s important to destigmatize conversations about sexual health. Ultimately, your teens should not be afraid to approach you for help, guidance, emotional support, or information about sexual and reproductive health. Use this quick and easy guide to help you get started:

Open Up the Conversation: Begin talking about sexual and reproductive health with your teens as they reach puberty. It will be helpful to explain to them the changes that their bodies will be going through. Transparency and openness are key. It will also help to outline what the family values and expectations are for relationships and dating, how your teens can have healthy relationships, and how they can best avoid sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancies.
Lay the Groundwork for Family Rules and Expectations: If you have a certain age expectation for your teens to start dating, then now’s the time to be clear on that. Be very open on your thoughts about teens and sexual behavior, serious relationships, contraceptives, marriage, etc. Oftentimes, the most difficult conversations are the most impactful and productive ones.
Know That You Have More Power Than You Think: Dealing with teens can feel difficult at times. It’s common for most parents to feel ignored, or feel that their teens don’t care about what’s being discussed with them. Know that as a parent, you have more power than you think you do. Stay strong in the belief that what you’re saying to your teens is having an impact on them on some level. Therefore, keep having those difficult conversations with your teens about sexual health and reproduction.
Be Active and Aware Parents: One way to have open conversations with teens is to spend time monitoring and supervising what they’re doing/watching and who they’re spending time with. For example, get to know your teens’ circle of friends and their families. Likewise, be interested in what your teens are reading, listening to, and watching. If any red flags arise, then have a discussion with them about the dangers of digesting risky media.
Be Forward-Facing: Talk with your teens about what they envision their future to be. Be very open on your thoughts about teens and sexual behavior, serious relationships, contraceptives, marriage, and future plans. Teens who are optimistic about their goals and opportunities tend not to partake in sexual behavior that’s unsafe. Take the time to talk with your kids about what their dreams and aspirations are, and encourage them to achieve their goals.
‍

A Call to Action for Parents: School-Based Health Centers

Now that the lines of communication are open, it’s time to put those words into action. At the start of the new school year when health forms start being sent home or emailed, make sure to sign and give permission for your teens to visit their school-based health center. The licensed professionals at school-based health centers can continue conversations with your teens about sexual health and reproduction.

School-based health centers are a partnership between medical and school communities that help support the mental health and medical needs of school-aged students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade in the public school system. There are a multitude of services that may be offered at school-based health centers that include well-care visits, laboratory services, vision and hearing services, reproductive and mental health services, health education, and more.

Find out which services are provided at each school:

Whether your teens have a dedicated family physician or if you need for them to visit their school-based health center, you should encourage your teens to schedule regular sexual health appointments and/or sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing. Additionally, let your teens know that you’ll be there for them in any way that’s needed, including providing transportation to and from any and all doctor or clinic appointments. Lastly, it’s important to understand that sometimes teens feel more comfortable speaking with a medical professional about their sexual and reproductive health than a parent, but that’s nothing to become upset about.

Adverse Effects of Teen Pregnancy

By age 22, only around 50% of teen mothers have received a high school diploma and only 30% have earned a General Education Development (GED) certificate, whereas 90% of women who did not give birth during adolescence receive a high school diploma.¹
Only about 10% of teen mothers complete a two- or four-year college program.²
Teen fathers have a 25-30% lower probability of graduating from high school than teenage boys who are not fathers.³

Children who are born to teen mothers also experience a wide range of problems. For example, they are more likely to:

have a higher risk for low birth weight and infant mortality
have lower levels of emotional support and cognitive stimulation
have fewer skills and are less prepared to learn when they enter kindergarten
have behavioral problems and chronic medical conditions
rely more heavily on publicly funded health care
have higher rates of foster care placement
be incarcerated at some point during adolescence
have lower school achievements
drop out of high school
give birth as a teen
be unemployed or underemployed as a young adult⁴

Source: https://youth.gov/youth-topics/pregnancy-prevention/adverse-effects-teen-pregnancy

Take Action

Attend the free Parent Education Events to learn how to have those difficult conversations with your child.
Click Here to Opt-in to allow your child access to their school-based health center.

FAQs

Our sexual and reproductive health FAQs provide clear, accurate answers to common questions, empowering you to make informed decisions about your body and well-being. As always, we encourage you to reach out if you have ANY question that you don't see answered.

Ask a Question

What are my sexual and reproductive health care and related rights?

When it comes to reproductive and sexual health rights for teens, the state of Connecticut has laws and regulations in place. As a teen, it’s important to know what your rights are for navigating issues with your sexual and reproductive health. In the state of Connecticut a minor is allowed to receive care and treatment without the need for parental consent for the following list of services:

Testing of Sexually Transmitted Infections, or STI’s (*If a minor is under the age of 12, then the healthcare provider is obligated to report the name, age, and address of the minor to the commissioner of DCF, or the Department of Children and Families.)
Reproductive Healthcare
Alcohol or Drug Dependence
HIV Testing (*Parental consent is necessary if the physician needs to treat a minor who’s infected with HIV or AIDS unless the doctor thinks that the parent will deny treatment, or if the minor will not start or continue the treatment if the parents/guardians are notified without the minor’s consent.)
Abortion Services, Including Emergency Contraception, commonly known as “the morning after pill”
Mental Health Treatment

What/who is a "trusted adult"?

Actively listen and engage with you without judgment
Offer support and encouragement
Be a role model to you because that person has characteristics, interests, or values that you admire and want to have for yourself
Offer emotional support, helpful suggestions, and solid solutions, and encourage positive outcomes
Be transparent, have strong boundaries, and share similar values with you and your family

What are the consequences of STIs?

It is important to be tested and treated for STIs because untreated they can have long-term and life-long effects on a person. An untreated STI can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can make it very difficult to get pregnant, it can lead to infertility, and some can also cause neurological conditions or cardiovascular disease. Additionally, untreated STIs during pregnancy pose a risk not only to the mother, but to the fetus. Both Syphilis and HIV can cross through the placenta and can infect the baby in utero. Other STIs like gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Hepatitis B, and genital herpes can be transmitted from mother to baby as the baby passes through the birth canal. Remember, most STIs have no symptoms at all. but they are treatable with medication.

What are the symptoms of STIs?

The greatest symptom of an STI is no symptom at all. This can increase the likelihood of transmitting it to your partner. When symptoms are present they commonly include things like vaginal or urethral discharge, genital ulcers, or lower abdominal pain. These are very vague symptoms that may not cause a person to even consider that they may have an STI. This is why it is important to talk honestly with your partner, get tested and have safer sex.

Why are condoms so important?

Correct use of condoms acts as a barrier that can help prevent the transmission of sexually transmitted infections and they can also help prevent an unplanned or mistimed pregnancy.

Upcoming YES! Events

Stay informed about events focused on sexual and reproductive health to learn about the latest resources, support, and community initiatives in your area.

Contact dcm@psr4u.com for more information.

REAL Life. REAL Talk.

Date/Time/Location TBD

Coming this fall! Check back for dates. Education on how to have those difficult conversations with your kids.

Contact dcm@psr4u.com for more information.

View event