The DC Department of Human Services (DHS) is funding the District’s largest teen pregnancy prevention awareness campaign, “Be on the Safe Side,” which just released a free, youth-driven compact disk entitled “Cause ‘N Effect, featuring songs, skits and poetry on preventing pregnancy in the voices and real language of DC teenagers.  Funded by a grant from the DHS Income Maintenance Administration (IMA), the “Be on the Safe Side” campaign is conducted by Motivational Educational Entertainment Productions, Inc. (MEE).

The 35-minute CD portrays the authentic voices of District youth in reality-based presentations of adolescent challenges that accompany sexuality. Designed to stimulate discussion and raise awareness, each CD package contains tips for parents and other caregivers. Adults are encouraged to use the product in different settings to initiate productive dialog with the young people in their lives about abstinence, sexuality and pregnancy prevention.

“Through this CD our agency is reaching out to teenagers to encourage them to avoid pregnancy. It is disheartening to see a teenager trying to raise a child when they are not ready for the responsibility of raising a child or being an adult. Many drop out of school and end up on public assistance, and we want to prevent this from happening,” said Yvonne Gilchrist, director of the Department of Human Services (DHS).

MEE is distributing thousands of the free, 35-minute CD to teenagers throughout the city and is advertising the availability of the CD on WKYS FM 93.9 and WMMJ/Magic 102.3 FM radio stations. Teenagers and parents can call 1-866-DC YOUTH to receive the free CD.

“The Cause ‘N Effect CD really speaks teens’ language and we think teenagers will really listen to the reality-based messages on the CD,” said Kate Jesberg, administrator of the DHS Income Maintenance Administration. “The CD promotes both abstinence and protection.”

In addition to the CD, other components of the community awareness campaign include peer-to-peer education and outreach by teens in the District, partnerships with faith-based and other community organizations offering services to teens, print materials and a youth-targeted video. MEE’s Satellite Resource Centers distribute campaign material and other information throughout the District.