Teen Health Mississippi is dedicated to championing public policies that ensure optimal sexual health for every Mississippi teen. We engage youth as advocates for high-quality sex education as well as affordable, confidential, and evidence-based youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health services.
Mississippi Youth Council
In 2014, Mississippi Youth Council (MYCouncil) was created to engage youth in the advocacy of evidence-based, medically accurate, and age-appropriate sex education. Members of MYCouncil take a grassroots approach to sex education and other related sexual and reproductive health issues by mobilizing communities to speak out and get involved in an issue that is extremely important to young people today.
Mississippi Sex Education Law
Most of Teen Health Mississippi’s sex education policy work has been surrounding Mississippi’s sex education law, House Bill 999 (HB 999). With the passage of HB 999 in 2011, and its later extension until 2021, school districts are required to adopt and implement a sex education policy – either “abstinence-only” or “abstinence-plus.”
School districts can comply with the law through the Creating Healthy and Responsible Teens (CHART) initiative, which offers evidence-based, medically accurate, and age-appropriate programs.
What You Can Do
If you want to see change in state policies on sex education in schools, there are several ways to get involved and have your voice heard.
› Know the Numbers
Sex education advocacy starts with facts. Explore Mississippi’s county-level stats for teen births and STD rates along with information about local school district policy and curriculum.
› Stay Connected
Join the Youth Activist Network by subscribing to advocacy updates from MYCouncil. You’ll get action alerts and learn what’s happening in our state.
› Become a Partner
We welcome other groups, educators, community members, and medical professionals to help us advocate for high-quality sex education. Contact us about partnerships.
› Get Training
Through training and professional development, you can help grow the capacity of youth-serving adults and organizations to implement effective programs and services.