April 17, 2000

A new website dedicated to research and resources about teen pregnancy prevention has been launched by the Family Planning Program of the UConn Health Center's Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. The site - http://teenpregnancyct.org - is designed to share the latest information about teen pregnancy prevention with Connecticut health professionals, schools, community organizations , parents, teens, researchers and students.

"This website gives people involved in teen pregnancy prevention in Connecticut instant access to a wealth of information," said Rosemary Richter, teen pregnancy prevention coordinator. "It includes the most recent research on the subject, as well as a directory of programs throughout the state."

The Family Planning Program conducts community-based clinical and research initiatives. It operates a clinic for low-income women at New Britain General Hospital, in conjunction with the UConn School of Medicine, and coordinates a Fetal and Infant Mortality Review project in New Britain. The program also is a statewide clearinghouse for research and information about teen pregnancy prevention. The program works closely with the state Department of Social Services to provide data analysis, research and technical assistance for community-based projects working to prevent teen pregnancies.

The new website includes an exclusive "Features Page" interview with Patricia Wilson-Coker, Commissioner of Social Services, who discusses her career as a social services advocate, as well as her views on teen pregnancy.

Other features of the new website include:

• resources and guidance for community leaders on starting a teen pregnancy prevention program;
  
  
• a bulletin board of employment, internship and volunteer opportunitie s in teen pregnancy prevention programs around the state;
  
  
• responses to frequently asked questions from parents and teenagers about teen pregnancy;
  
  
• a directory that lists every teen pregnancy prevention program in Connecticut and can be searched by town, type of program or individual service provider;
  
  
• the latest news and research about teen pregnancy and prevention throughout the country;
  
  
• a list of resources, including local, regional and national publications, foundations and other groups in the field of teen pregnancy prevention;
  
  
• events and activities sponsored by teen pregnancy prevention programs in the state.
  
  

There is an automatic e-mail response feature for contacting the UConn Health Center's Family Planning Program and a direct link to the Health Center's website.

"This is the most comprehensive compilation of teen pregnancy prevention information in the state," said Richter, "and we hope people take full advantage of the extensive resources available on the website."

Maureen McGuire