As we close out Black History Month, let us pause and reflect on the many contributions Black Americans have made to our nation – past, present, and future.  In public health, in particular, Black physicians, nurses, public health professionals, advocates, and community leaders have led countless innovations, transformed how care is delivered, and worked tirelessly to ensure people have access to quality services. 

As the first Black President and CEO of AccessMatters, I do not take lightly the fact that I stand on the shoulders of those who came before me. Their courage, commitment, and determination opened doors and created opportunities for leaders like me to serve today. Read Ayana’s full statement here. 

Program Spotlight: Health Resource Center

AccessMatters has developed and managed the Health Resource Center Program since 1991. The program originated in schools in Philadelphia and Chester, and in 2015, expanded to additional areas throughout Pennsylvania. Today, Health Resource Centers are located in over 50 school and community-based locations in eight counties in Pennsylvania.  

AccessMatters’ Health Resource Center Program establishes school and community-based spaces where youth can access age-appropriate, no-cost, confidential, and judgement-free health information, services, and resources. Health Resource Centers provide services related to healthy relationships, such as self-advocacy, and communication skill building, in addition to provide health services such as sexual health education and counseling, mental health screenings and referrals, and referrals to primary care, mental health, and social service resources. Health Resource Centers focus on providing a client-centered, holistic approach to providing services for adolescents who may not have other access to information and care. These resources are available in locations where adolescents already spend their time, reducing barriers related to transportation, access, and cost. 

Last year, Health Resource Centers were visited over 7,000 times, with over 7,500 referrals made to school-based and social services resources, connecting adolescents to essential health services. These services positively impact the health and wellbeing of adolescents across the state, improve adolescent health and well-being , and can improve other aspects of their lives, such as graduation rates and their ability to fully participate in their community.  

Communities benefit from having the Health Resource Center Program, and at AccessMatters, we're always looking for new partnerships and additional funding to expand this program. If you're interested in exploring a potential partnership or have recommendations for partnerships to pursue, please contact us at: youth@accessmatters.org  

Issue Education: Healthy Relationship Month

February is Healthy Relationship Month and Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. All people deserve relationships that are supportive, respectful, and safe. A healthy relationship, whether it is romantic, platonic, or familial, is one that is based on mutual respect, communication, understanding, empathy, and support. This month we celebrate and amplify the healthy relationships that uplift and sustain our communities. We also honor those who have been impacted by unhealthy relationships and intimate partner violence. Programs like AccessMatters’ Health Resource Center Program and our Adolescent Health Initiative help equip adolescents, adults, and youth-serving professionals with tools to navigate relationships and build self-advocacy skills. For more information about healthy relationships and consent, visit our Consumer Health page or contact AccessMatters’ Information Hotline at: 215-985-3300, or text the hotline at 833-667-3377. 

AccessMatters to Participate in People’s Hearing for Reproductive Health

On Thursday, March 5, AccessMatters will participate in “Our Bodies, Our City: A People's Hearing.” The hearing, hosted by Councilmember Kendra Brooks in collaboration with the Philadelphia Reproductive Task Force, will bring together community members and stakeholders to discuss threats to sexual and reproductive health access. Register for this event here.

Sex Ed Week of Action 

February 9-13 was Sex Ed Week of Action, a week dedicated to advocacy and action to promote access to comprehensive sex education. In Pennsylvania, there is no requirement for schools to teach comprehensive sex education, meaning sex education that is scientifically and medically accurate, age-appropriate, and addresses the physical, emotional, mental, and social aspects of sexual health.  

SIECUS: Sex Ed for Social Change has released its updated 2026 Legislative Look Ahead with information on the current landscape of sex education legislation in the United States. To learn more about sex education legislation and policy, visit: https://siecus.org/