On March 26, students from local Dallas and San Antonio schools tackled the important issue “what does access to birth control mean to you?” at the Healthy Futures of Texas 8th Annual Student Film Contest.

Evelyn Delgado, HFTX CEO, emphasizes, "Not all Texas youth are able to easily access effective birth control... The Film Contest gives us the opportunity to see the world from their eyes and inform our actions to support them and to give them the future that they deserve.”

We want to thank everyone who donated and/or attended our Student Film Contest. Once again you have shown that solidarity and commitment to our youth continue to be a priority. We are very grateful to have this community of supporters. Watch the event here at the 1:52 mark if you missed it!

Building on the 'Choices Not Chances' awareness campaign for Talk About it Dallas last year, a new campaign has been launched in March helping to raise awareness among teens about the importance of birth control.

The campaign consists of billboards and multiple social media posts on the most popular platforms among teens, targeting the ZIP codes with the highest teen birth rates in Dallas County. The goal is to expand the campaign to other cities across Texas.

Jen Biundo, Senior Director of Policy and Research at HFTX, attended the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services to testify against SB 1031, which would criminalize adolescent sexual health research in schools or universities. "If we lose the ability to evaluate health education programs, I can tell you how many teen girls are getting pregnant each year, or getting HIV, but I can't tell you what prevents that." You can hear Jen's full argument at the 2:44 mark here. 

What can you do to help? 

• Reach out to members of the Senate Health and Human Services Commission to share your concerns with SB 1031. Find contact information here. 
• Reach out to members of the Senate Education Committee to share your concerns with the bill SB163, which would make the opt-in requirement for sex ed permanent. Find contact information here.

Sex Education Curriculum in Texas Leaves Much to Be Desired, Advocates Argue covered by the Dallas Observer quotes Chief Development Officer, Terry Greenberg. 

“As a privileged woman growing up in Dallas, someone thought enough about my future to protect it by giving me that information [sex education],” Greenberg said. “And I think that every child has a future worth protecting, and it shouldn't be just reserved for people who have great doctors or who go to fabulous schools.”