Although the overall goal of PIP is to reduce the rate of non-marital births in Virginia, unplanned pregnancy risk reduction is now the primary focus, with an increased emphasis on male responsibility, effective family planning in genders, healthy relationships, and career and goal setting.
The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy recently expanded its mission to include unplanned pregnancy in the 20 something population.
The recently launched “Have a Plan” media campaign that supports PIP focuses on unplanned pregnancy risk reduction as well as highlighting the role that men have in unplanned pregnancy prevention. This campaign was developed through 4 years of translational research and attempts to address the possible risky behaviors, attitudes, and beliefs for an unplanned pregnancy of both genders.
Because men also play a key role in unplanned pregnancy prevention, local programs have increased efforts to increase male participation by offering the intervention in combination with sporting activities such as basketball and flag football teams. Currently, plans are underway to have a basketball tournament during March 2009 between the participants of the Twin County Prevention Coalition and the Bragg Hill Family Life Center PIP programs. To earn a place on the teams, men have to be the most effective recruiters for future PIP participants.
Numerous local programs are offering job readiness and computer training, job placement services, and financial planning education.
Contact DeborahM.Harris@vdh.virginia.gov
109 Governor Street, 8th Floor West
Richmond, VA 23219
Phone: (804) 864-7770
FAX: (804) 864-7771
