SENATE MEMORIAL 28

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2010

INTRODUCED BY

Linda M. Lopez

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING BROAD-BASED ORGANIZATIONAL REPRESENTATION IN A TASK FORCE TO CREATE A STRATEGY TO REDUCE ADOLESCENT BIRTH RATES, IMPROVE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH OUTCOMES, CREATE A CONTINUUM OF PREVENTIVE SERVICES AND SUPPORT ADOLESCENT PARENTS.

     WHEREAS, New Mexico continues to have a soaring teen birth rate; and

     WHEREAS, the high birth rate for adolescents is of geographical and economic concern to many areas of the state and affects many areas of government; and

     WHEREAS, education about parenting can help raise adolescent awareness about the lifetime implications of creating a new life; and

     WHEREAS, health education and information can help a pregnant mother have a healthy infant; and

     WHEREAS, community support for young parents is vital to help young parents raise a healthy child who meets developmental and educational goals in a timely fashion and to help the parents hold down jobs that pay a liveable wage; and

     WHEREAS, the problems and consequences of adolescent pregnancy cannot be addressed entirely within a single governmental system or improved without a broad coalition of points of view and contributions;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the department of health be requested to convene a working group of representatives from the public education department, the children, youth and families department, the workforce solutions department, the human services department, the New Mexico forum for youth, the children's cabinet, the New Mexico teen pregnancy coalition and county and local governments to develop a single, well-planned, comprehensive strategy for reducing adolescent births; to address the issue of unintended pregnancy; to improve reproductive health outcomes for youth; and to develop a continuum of prevention services to prevent adolescent pregnancy and provide support to adolescent parents; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of health, the secretary of children, youth and families, the secretary of public education, the secretary of workforce solutions and the secretary of human services; the directors or executive directors of the New Mexico forum for youth, the children's cabinet and the New Mexico teen pregnancy coalition; the chairs of county commissions and boards of commissioners; and the mayors of cities statewide.

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