Essential Access Health Launches TeenSource Action: Empowering California Youth to Drive Systemic Change
As first action, teens call on Governor Newsom to sign bill to expand condom access in public high school
Los Angeles, CA — Essential Access Health (Essential Access) announced today the launch of TeenSource Action, an online platform that empowers California teens to take direct action to expand access to sexual and reproductive health. The new website provides a range of tools and resources that will amplify youth voices and enable teens to shape public policy that directly impacts their health and wellbeing.
In TeenSource Action’s inaugural campaign, teens are calling on Governor Gavin Newsom to sign SB 954, the Youth Health Equity + Safety (YHES) Act, which aims to stem rising STI rates among youth by making free condoms available and protecting access to comprehensive sex education in California public high schools. This critical legislation is driven by the Essential Access Health YHES 4 Condoms Youth Ambassadors, a group of diverse California teens who voiced the need for free contraceptives and comprehensive sex education in high schools. SB 954 passed the California legislature last Saturday and awaits Governor Newsom’s signature.
“Youth-led action is powerful. We’re stepping up to tackle the gaps in sexual and reproductive health, finding good solutions to problems that have held us back for too long,” said Martin Orea, college freshman and YHES 4 Condoms Youth Ambassador. “Civic engagement is our strongest tool, and with it, we demand equal access and care for all. We’re no longer accepting a future of silence or neglect—we’re building a world where healthcare is a right, knowledge is power, and everyone has the ability to make decisions about their bodies and lives. This isn’t just about change—it’s about freedom, and we won’t stop until everyone is seen, heard, and empowered.”
"Essential Access is committed to uplifting youth experiences and voices to drive systemic change and improve sexual and reproductive health outcomes among their peers statewide,” said Amy Moy, Co-CEO. “When youth leaders we collaborate with expressed the need for improved sex education and free condoms in their schools, we worked with them to craft and introduce legislation to make this a reality. TeenSource Action promotes civic engagement and provides a space for teens to play an active role in forming public health policy for young people.”
TeenSource Action builds upon the foundation of TeenSource.org and Talk With Your Kids, longstanding Essential Access Health platforms. Teensource provides medically-accurate, non-judgmental, teen-friendly sexual and reproductive health information and resources, including content about STIs, birth control, healthy relationships, teen rights to accessing care in California, and more. Talk With Your Kids encourages family communication around topics of sexual health, relationships, and safety, and provides evidence-based guidance on how to approach these conversations effectively. Created in partnership with California youth and driven by Essential Access Health’s Youth Advisory Board, TeenSource.org reaches over a million viewers each year and connects youth to services like our statewide TeenSource Tips text messaging program and Condom Action Project.
In addition to advocacy opportunities, TeenSource Action offers features that allow youth to check their voter registration status, review ballot measures, and learn about their rights. The platform will continue to evolve based on input directly from youth, ensuring young people are driving the change to meet the needs of their community.
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Essential Access Health advances reproductive equity and champions quality sexual and reproductive health care for all through funding, advocacy, research, training for providers and healthcare professionals, and youth and community empowerment and education. We work to ensure that everyone, everywhere can get the care they want and need, where and how they need it, with dignity and respect.