Teen health clinic opens in Jefferson

JEFFERSON - A teen health clinic opened Monday in Jackson County, and one of its focuses will be on preventing teen pregnancy.

One of 39 Comprehensive Adolescent Health Centers in the state, Teen Matters is a health department clinic just for youth ages 10 to 19, according to its Web site.

The center provides health services, including family planning services and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, teen pregnancy prevention programs and youth development activities to youth who are at high risk of teen pregnancy.

The goals of Teen Matters are to promote abstinence, increase effective use of contraception among sexually active individuals, and to reduce risk-taking behavior. Officials say this is done by offering comprehensive clinical services and educational programs. Health educators will provide one-on-one and group educational programs on a wide variety of health topics to schools, churches, and community groups. The teen center also provides the public with the Health Resource Library. The library has books, videos, pamphlets, and curricula available to the public to borrow.

It is located at 260 Lee Street in Jefferson and will be open Mon.-Thurs., 1:30-7:00.