Abstract

CEAS: Community Education about Adolescent Sexuality

Becky Edwards

CEAS came together 7 years ago to discuss what could be done about the growing number of young pregnancies in the community of Abbotsford. We found the most effective way to address the issue was to send former young parents into schools to speak with students, particularly middle school-aged, about their own personal experiences.

CEAS has become partners with such agencies as Abbotsford Community Services, School District 34 and Planned Parenthood. Through funding from the Vancouver Foundation, CEAS was able to complete a study following two classes of students from grade seven to nine. Panels visited the groups each year in order to receive feedback from the students. We proudly report that none of the students, male or female, have been in contact with Abbotsford’s young parent program. Abbotsford has also had a drastic decline in their rate of live births to teens. In 1999 the rate of live births to teens was 88, the past year rates dropped to 49. We feel CEAS has played an integral part in the dramatic decrease of young parents in our community.

A new goal for CEAS is to teach new communities how to form similar committees in their own area. We plan to do this by building information packages outlining our history and accomplishments as well as visiting communities and presenting in person our own successes.

Bio

After becoming a parent at the age of 16, I soon recognized the need to prevent future early pregnancies, especially in our community. I was a student at Abbotsford’s young parent program; New Beginnings. The year after I graduated CEAS formed, I was a part of the first meeting. Now, 7 years later, I am coordinator of the program. I also work as an Early Childhood Educator with New Beginnings.

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