The Hillsborough Healthy Teen Network (HHTN) is a diverse group of individuals and youth serving organizations formed at the direction of our community for the purpose of working together to reduce teen pregnancy rates in Hillsborough County.  In addition, we strive to improve the lives of pregnant and parenting teens and their children.  We accomplish this through targeted efforts in strategic planning, research, evaluation, education, training and advocacy that support the youth and youth serving agencies in our area.  We are responsible to each other, to those who fund us, and to the community.  The output of our efforts will produce noticeable improvements to the ongoing state of teen pregnancy, parenting and prevention in our community as documented in the Hillsborough County Annual Report on Teen Pregnancy, Parenting, and Prevention.

HHTN meets the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 9:00 a.m. at the Centre for Girls, 105 W. Sligh Avenue in Tampa. For more information, please contact Stephanie Johns at (813) 231-3404 or e-mail at sjohns@cfwtampa.org.

Click here for the lastest version of the Hillsborough Healthy Teen Network Resource Directory.

ARE YOU READY?
Being sexually active is a BIG decision and a BIG responsibility.
Consider…

1. Are you doing this because YOU want to?
If someone is pressuring you to do something, you aren’t being respected by that person and having sex with him or her isn’t a good idea. Despite how it might seem, half of all U.S. high schoolers are not sexually active. Having sex doesn’t make you more grown up, especially if you can’t accept the responsibilities.

2. Do you know your partner well enough?
Many people don’t realize that having sex can leave you feeling very vulnerable, so it’s important to be with a person who is going to stick around.

3. Are you willing and able to deal with the possible physical, emotional, social and medical consequences?
Sexual contact, even once, can lead to pregnancy, Sexually Transmitted Infections, pain or emotional stress. If you aren’t willing to get educated on preventing and handling these things, you aren’t ready.

4. Does this fit in with your beliefs?
If you, your partner or your family have beliefs that encourage abstinence until you’re in a committed relationship, ask a trusted adult to explain these beliefs to you so you can make an informed decision.

5. How will today’s decision impact your goals and future?
Sexual activity can challenge your relationships with loved ones, interrupt plans, put goals out of reach and put your overall health at risk.

Answering yes to these questions doesn’t necessarily mean you’re ready.

TIPS FOR SAYING NO:

• Be honest with yourself and your partner before things get hot and heavy. Prepare what you want to say, be direct and talk about your decision in private. Don’t try to use kissing to ease tension.
  
• Explain to your partner why having sex isn’t right for you now, but don’t feel like you need to defend your decision. Talk about boundaries. Setting boundaries will prevent you both from making a decision you regret.
  
• If the other person says, “If you loved me, you’d do it” or “it’s meant to be,” be ready to respond. You might say, “If you loved me you’d wait” or “it’s not meant to be right now.” Sex is not a test of how much people care about each other.
  
• If you feel uncertain about your ability to say “No,” leave the situation.
  
• It’s never too late to decide not to have sex. Just because you’ve had sex before doesn’t mean you have to have sex every time you’re asked. You have the right to choose not to sex whenever you want.

BODY IMAGE
Body image is how you feel when you look at yourself in the mirror. Disliking your body may make you very concerned with the opinions of others, which can make it tough to make decisions for yourself.

• Remind yourself of all the things you are besides a body, “I am… witty, strong, a good listener, etc.”
  
• Don’t let a scale tell you how to feel about yourself each day. Feeling good means taking care of yourself.
  
• When you find yourself judging your appearance, change your thoughts. This might be as simple as texting a friend about her day.
  
• Next time you look at yourself in the mirror, focus on the things you like about your body (like your eye color, hair, collar bones, smile, etc.)
  
• If family members or friends often criticize your appearance, tell them to stop.
  
• Use positive words and compliments; avoid negative comments about anyone.
  
• Build up your self-esteem by developing friendships, living a healthier lifestyle or trying something new. Then you won’t look for self worth in your appearance.

BIRTH CONTROL METHODS

¹ Perfect use show how well each method prevents pregnancy when used exactly as directed. Typical use shows how well each method prevents pregnancy when used in the most common way.
² If the method does not need a prescription, you can get it at almost any pharmacy.
³ This column shows whether or not the method helps prevent the spread of STIs.
⁴ If you are 18 years old or older, you can buy EC from pharmacy. If you are under 18, you need a prescription, which you can get from your doctor or the places on the Resource Chart.

A few facts about birth control:
1. Prescription birth control works by giving your body hormones that prevent pregnancy. Different levels and types of hormones affect people differently. Sometimes people have to try a couple different methods before finding one that works for them. As long as your doctor knows what's going on, switching your birth control is perfectly safe.
2. Weight loss and weight gain is a side effect of hormonal changes in your body. Weight gain is often only a difference of about 5 pounds, which is much less than the recommended 25-35 pound weight gain to support a healthy pregnancy.

COMMON SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS (STIs)
*Using a latex condom correctly while engaging in sexual contact can help protect you from all of these infections.

RESOURCE CHART - LOCAL