Parenting workshops set for this month

A local task force and the Hill County Health Consortium have finalized parenting workshops on sex education. These groups are working to prevent teen pregnancies in the county.

According to the website http://www.countyhealthrankings.org, as of 2014, for every 1,000 teenage girls ages 15 to 19, Hill County has 66 teen births out of a thousand teen girls, which is twice the state average.

Jessica Kennedy, public health nurse at Hill County Family Planning and member of the teen pregnancy task force, said that these classes will be a way to educate parents on how to build a bridge of communication with their children in regard to sensitive topics, such as sex.

“Studies show that the parent is the most influential person in a child’s life,” she said. “I would like to see that bond developed between parent and child, to where they have that trust.”

Kennedy added that caregivers and guardians have just as much of an influence on a child’s life.

Kennedy also said that her group has finalized the dates, times and location for a three-part series of classes titled “Have You Had ‘the Talk?’”

These classes will be free and taught by Janet Trethewey and Darlene Sellers.

The first class of the series will discuss getting prepared, the second class will concern the facts of life and the third class will discuss continuing the conversation.

These classes will be held at Bullhook Community Health Center in the Jon Tester Conference Room.

Kennedy also said that there is no sign-up requirement and that people can show up at that time and place for the classes.

Kennedy added that her group is interested in forming a teen panel so that her group can see teenagers’ perspectives on teenage pregnancy as well.

“We want to see it through their eyes,” she added. “How do they view teen pregnancy in this community? What in this community is lacking for them? What’s good, and what’s not so good?”

For more information on these workshops, contact Kennedy at 265-5481, ext. 269.

Class schedule

• Jan. 15, 6:30 to 8 p.m. — “Getting Prepared”

• Jan. 22, 6:30 to 8 p.m. — “The Facts…of Life”

• Jan. 26, 6:30 to 8 p.m. — “Continuing The Conversation”