Linkages is a collaborative initiative through which health and human service providers, educators, school districts, community members and youth address issues related to adolescent and teen pregnancy in their community. The project's primary goals are designed to decrease adolescent / teen pregnancies, termination and births, and improve the well being and life outcomes for all youth while contributing to strong,healthy communities. Linkages is a targeted zip-code project funded through a New York State Department of Health Community Based Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention grant.

Linkages for Youth has been an integral part of the Gouverneur Central School District since 1995. In January of 2006, “Linkages” expanded programming and services to include the Hermon-Dekalb and Richville communities. Services are provided through seven Linkages partners including: American Kang Duk Won, Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County, Gouverneur Central School District, Hermon-Dekalb Central School District, St. Lawrence County Health Initiative, Seaway Valley Prevention Council, and the Community Connections Advisory Group. Services offered through the Linkages for Youth program include:

• Drop-in Centers
• Alcohol and Drug Prevention Programming
• Adventure Based Activities
• After-school Clubs
• Student Assistance Programs
• Community Service Opportunities
• School-based 4H Club
• "Baby Think It Over" Teen Pregnancy program
• Peer Education
• Information and Referral
  

The Department of Health has established nine goal areas targeting the reduction of teen pregnancy in high-risk zip code areas. The goals include:

• Abstinence-first Education
• Activities to ensure access to reproductive health care
• Community information and education efforts
• Projects that enhance parent/youth communication
• Outreach efforts to high risk youth
• Youth development activities
• Mentoring/counseling programs
• Male oriented projects
• Efforts to build community partnerships and collaborations

For more information about Linkages for Youth or adolescent / teen pregnancy prevention, please call (315) 287-2661.