[HISTORY: Adopted by the Suffolk County Legislature 10-11-2011 by Res. No.
821-2011. Amendments noted where applicable.]
Teen pregnancy is a crisis in Suffolk County and throughout
the state and nation. Resolution No. 881-2009 established a task force
to study the issue of teen pregnancy in Suffolk County and propose
methods to decrease teen pregnancy in the short and long term. The
Teen Pregnancy Task Force determined that teen pregnancy rates in
the County are a result of a confluence of issues, including, but
not limited to, drug and alcohol use, gangs, bullying, and education.
The Teen Pregnancy Task Force has recommended the establishment of
a permanent successor body to provide ongoing support, assistance
and oversight to the County's continued efforts to decrease teen pregnancy.
[Amended 9-9-2014 by Res. No. 719-2014]
The Suffolk County Teen Pregnancy Advisory Board is hereby created
for the following purposes:
A.
To promote educational outreach on teen pregnancy and related issues;
B.
To advocate for increased access to family planning services for
sexually active youth;
C.
To recommend best practices to help young people, particularly those
in marginalized groups, to avoid risky behaviors, including those
that put them at risk of pregnancy; and
D.
To provide support for pregnant and parenting teens.
[Amended 9-9-2014 by Res. No. 719-2014; 11-21-2023 by Res. No.
957-2023]
The Suffolk County Teen Pregnancy Advisory Board shall consist
of the following 13 members:
A.
A representative from the County Legislature, to be appointed by
the Presiding Officer;
B.
A representative from the County Executive's office, to be appointed
by the County Executive;
C.
A representative of a nonprofit teen sexuality and pregnancy education
agency, to be appointed by the County Legislature;
D.
A Suffolk County law enforcement officer, to be appointed by the
County Legislature;
E.
A representative with expertise and background in assisting victims
of domestic violence, to be appointed by the County Legislature;
[Amended 3-16-2021 by Res. No. 189-2021]
F.
A representative of a nonprofit drug and alcohol prevention and education
agency, to be appointed by the County Legislature;
G.
A school professional, or his or her designee, to be appointed by
the County Legislature;
[Amended 3-16-2021 by Res. No. 189-2021]
H.
A medical professional, to be appointed by the County Legislature;
[Amended 6-21-2016 by Res. No. 554-2016]
I.
The Commissioner of the Department of Social Services, or his or
her designee;
J.
A child welfare advocate, to be appointed by the County Legislature;
K.
The Director of the Suffolk County Youth Bureau, or his or her designee;
L.
The Commissioner of the Department of Health Services, or his or
her designee; and
M.
A member of the clergy, to be appointed by the County Legislature.
The Chairperson of the Board shall be selected by a majority
of the membership of Board.
The Board shall hold its first meeting no later than 30 days
after the oaths of office of all members have been filed, which meeting
shall be convened for the purpose of organization and the appointment
of a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson and a Secretary.
The members of said Board shall serve without compensation and
shall serve at the pleasure of their respective appointing authorities.
[Amended 9-9-2014 by Res. No. 719-2014]
The Board shall hold regular bimonthly meetings, keeping a record
of all proceedings, and determine the rules of its own proceedings,
with special meetings to be called by the Chairperson upon his or
her own initiative or upon receipt of a written request therefor signed
by at least eight members of the Board. Written notice of the time
and place of such special meetings shall be given by the Secretary
to each member at least four days before the date fixed by the notice
of such special meeting.
[Amended 9-9-2014 by Res. No. 719-2014]
Seven members shall constitute a quorum to transact the business
of the Board at both regular and special meetings.
[Amended 9-6-2023 by Res. No. 706-2023]
The Board may submit requests to the County Executive and the
County Legislature for approval of expenses, including but not limited
to, secretarial services, travel expenses, event advertising, rental
or leasing expenses, transportation, food, insurance, and speaker
fees, as well as supplies, postage, education, administrative expenses,
and mentorship assistance, clerical assistance and retention of consultants
to assist the Board with such endeavors; said total expenditures not
to exceed $5,000 per fiscal year, which services shall be subject
to legislative approval.
A.
The Board may conduct such informal hearings and meetings at any
place or places within the County of Suffolk for the purpose of obtaining
necessary information or other data to assist in the proper performance
of its duties and functions as it deems necessary.
B.
The Board may delegate to any member of the Board the power and authority
to conduct such hearings and meetings.
The Board shall cooperate with the legislative committees of
the County Legislature and make available to each committee's use,
upon request, any records and other data it may accumulate or obtain.
A.
The Board, in conjunction with the Chairperson of the County Legislature's
Health Committee, shall convene annually a summit of organizations
that work with teens, families and communities to move forward an
agenda of community building and support for teens in the County of
Suffolk.
[Amended 9-9-2014 by Res. No. 719-2014]
B.
The agenda of the summit shall address the recommendations of the
report established by the Teen Pregnancy Task Force, as well as subsequent
reports of this Board, and shall provide training workshops tailored
to each of the following groups:
(1)
County employees;
(2)
Medical professionals and support personnel;
(3)
Professionals who work with youth in non-health-related fields
(i.e., librarians, scout leaders, foster parents, etc.); and
(4)
Other groups as deemed necessary, including train-the-trainer
workshops for professionals who can reach out to others in their field.
The Board shall submit a written annual report of its findings
and determinations for action, if any, to each member of the County
Legislature and the County Executive no later than January 31 of each
year, for the prior calendar year's activities, for consideration,
review and appropriate action, if necessary, by the entire County
Legislature.
None of the work contemplated by this chapter shall be performed
by any outside consultant or consulting firm unless explicit approval
and authorization for such consultant or consulting firm is granted
pursuant to a duly enacted resolution of the County Legislature.
