By Allison Peck
Listen to the full interview on our Kubota Podcast
NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — People's Health is inviting local families to two upcoming events designed to make conversations about health, puberty and growing up a little easier.
The first event is the organization's Back-to-School Bash, taking place Friday at Cody Go-Karts. The first 50 high school students who attend will receive free admission to the park, including rides, water slides and pizza after learning about the services People's Health provides.
Family Planning Coordinator Elizabeth Thayer said the event is about introducing teenagers to trusted healthcare resources before they need them.
"We want to help people make educated decisions about their reproductive health," Thayer said. "Whether they have questions about puberty, periods or something that just doesn't feel right, we want them to know there's a place they can turn for accurate information."
People's Health offers services on a sliding fee scale, with the goal of making care affordable and accessible, particularly for young adults. Thayer emphasized that while not every service is free, the clinic works with patients to remove financial barriers and does not require payment upfront.
She also stressed the importance of providing evidence-based information rather than allowing young people to rely on social media or internet searches for answers.
"Our goal isn't to encourage sexual activity," Thayer said. "It's to make sure that if someone is making those decisions, they have the knowledge to stay safe and healthy and understand the consequences of their choices."
Thayer noted that People's Health offers confidential services while still following Nebraska's mandatory reporting laws when a young person's safety is at risk.
The organization is also launching a new class called "Be in the Know" on Tuesday, Aug. 11, at the Prairie Arts Center. The class is geared toward girls around ages 9 and 10 and encourages parents or guardians to attend alongside them.
The evening will include education about puberty and menstruation, a hands-on activity where participants create emergency period kits, and a panel discussion featuring a healthcare provider, a parent and a teenage girl who can answer questions from both children and adults. Attendees will also receive snacks, raffle opportunities and period underwear to take home.
Thayer said the goal is to help families begin conversations before puberty starts instead of treating them as a one-time discussion.
"The more often families talk about these topics, the less intimidating they become," she said. "We want parents to feel confident having those conversations and helping their children understand what's happening to their bodies."
Registration is required for the "Be in the Know" class so organizers can prepare supplies and appropriate sizes for participants. Families can register by calling People's Health at 308-534-3075.