Your Health, Your Rights

You may be under 18, but you still have rights.

Where to Get Help

[Download the "Your Health, Your Rights" section as a PDF]

Where can I go for sexual health services?

ACCESS: 800-375-4636 (Spanish 888-442-2237)
The ACCESS hotline has counselors to help women and teens understand their options, and find free or low-cost services they need.

Emergency Contraception: 888-NOT-2-LATE or www.not-2-late.com
Call this free hotline for the names and phone numbers of places where you can get emergency contraception, or "the morning-after-pill."

Family PACT: 800-942-1054 or www.familypact.org
Family PACT can help you find a provider who can sign you up for this way of paying. You can also find medical providers on their website. Just type in your zip code and it will list all the health care providers in your area who take Family PACT.

Planned Parenthood: 800-230-PLAN or www.plannedparenthood.org
You can get affordable and confidential health care at Planned Parenthood health centers across the state. They offer a wide range of services for both teens and adults. Call to connect with the nearest center and make an appointment, or just ask a question. You can also find your local center by typing in your zip code.

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Where can I find out about adoption?

To learn more about adoption in California -- how it works, what your options are, and where to get help - check out these two organizations:

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Protecting Your Rights

These groups help protect your right to make your own decisions about pregnancy and birth control. Call them if you think your reproductive rights have been violated:

  • The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU):
    in northern California, 415-621-2493
    in southern California, 213-977-9500 (Los Angeles) or 619-232-2121 (San Diego)
  • NARAL Pro-Choice California 415-890-1020
  • Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California 916-446-5247

If you have questions about maternity leave or think you've been treated unfairly at school or at work, because you're pregnant, here are some places to get advice and legal help.

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Help for Immigrants

If you're not a U.S. citizen, you may be able to get help that will not cause your immigration status to be revealed to officials. For more information, contact your local immigrant's rights organization.

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Where can I get more information?

For honest, reliable information about sex and your health, some great places to start are:

  • www.itsyoursexlife.com sexual health information for teens by MTV
  • www.iwannaknow.org for information about sexually transmitted diseases just for teens
  • www.sxetc.org lots of sexual health information by and for teens and young adults
  • www.teensource.org for sexual health information specifically for teens
  • www.teenwire.com by Planned Parenthood especially for teens. You can ask questions, get information and see what questions other teens have asked
  • www.youth-guard.org on-line support for gay, lesbian, bisexual and questioning teens.

You do have rights as a teen. There are laws that protect you. You can make your own decisions and you do not have to tell anyone about them. The organizations listed in this book are here to help you. If you have any other questions, get in touch with one of the groups and they will help you find the health care you need - it's your right.

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"Your Health, Your Rights" on Teensource is funded by the American Civil Liberties Union.

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