MOAPPP Adolescent Parent eNews

MOAPPP Adolescent Parent eNews

January 2009


Announcements

Hello, everyone! My name is Sue Fust and I have been working for MOAPPP for two weeks now. I have taken Marilyn Colby Rivkin’s place as the Adolescent Parent Program Manager. She is a hard act to follow, but I hope to fill her shoes as best I can. Apparently Marilyn was so good at her job that it took two of us to replace her. Meghan Barp will be handling the yearly MOAPPP conference that has until now been Marilyn’s responsibility. (So please direct any conference-related questions to Meghan—especially if you want a correct answer!)

Just so you know who I am, here’s a little background. I am a developmental psychologist with degrees in Child Psychology and Public Health. I have done research studies with children and families and have taught courses in Child Psychology at the University of Minnesota. A number of years ago, I worked as a home visitor with families of preterm infants at a UCLA-based program in Los Angeles and, more recently, with families living in Hennepin County through St. David’s Child Development & Family Services in Minnetonka. For three of my years at St. David’s, I worked specifically with teen parents living in north Minneapolis and Brooklyn Park using the research-based STEEP (Steps Toward Effective Enjoyable Parenting) program.

I look forward to meeting and working with you all!


2009 MOAPPP Annual Awards Nominations – Deadline Approaching

Each year, MOAPPP honors individuals, agencies, policy makers and programs that make outstanding contributions toward the promotion of adolescent sexual health, the prevention of adolescent pregnancy and the support of adolescent parents in Minnesota. Please let us know about the people you know who deserve to be recognized by their peers. With your help, we can honor the remarkable efforts going on throughout the state. Nominations are due on February 15, 2009. Please download the nomination form (PDF).

Resources

If you are looking for ideas for fun infant and toddler activities to provide your teen parents, some seasonal suggestions can be found at the Zero to Three website.

Policy Action Alert

Please take note of the priority that Early Childhood Education has taken in our state government. After an extensive application process, Governor Pawlenty has appointed ten citizens to the Statewide Early Childhood Advisory Council. It is an impressive group of people and we’re pleased to see that some of our partners from the early childhood community, the Minnesota Initiative Foundations and local programs will be serving on the Council. The Council is expected to have its first meeting in the near future.

From the Governor’s press release:

Saint Paul – Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Sarah Caruso, Dr. Andy Chen, Ph.D., Stephanie Corradi, Tom Holton, Julie Leslie, Dr. Joseph Nathan, Ph.D., Dr. Arthur Reynolds, Ph.D., Maureen Seiwert, Sandra Simar, and Julie Sjordal to the State Advisory Council on Early Childhood Education and Care.

Upcoming Trainings

March 10, 2009
Meeting the Unique Needs of Adolescent Parents

9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Temple Israel, Minneapolis, MN
$30 MOAPPP Member/$65 Non-member

Three common goals of adolescent parent programs are to facilitate long-term self-sufficiency, build parenting capacity and ensure the healthy growth and development of the children born to young parents. This workshop, for professionals new to adolescent parent work, examines national and state data related to adolescent parents; the strengths and opportunities, as well as the challenges young parents bring to their new role; current research on best practices for working with adolescent parents; and the role every provider can play in enhancing the lives of these young families. For more information and to register for this training, see the flyer and registration form. Questions? Contact Sue at 651 644-1447 x15 or [email protected].


Save the Date!

MOAPPP’s 18th Annual Conference will be held on May 7 and 8 at the Earle Brown Heritage Center in Brooklyn Center, MN. The Conference features two days of dynamic speakers, challenging workshops and countless opportunities for networking and conversation. Several workshops specific to those working with adolescent parents will be offered. For more information, visit our conference web page.

For more resources and information about adolescent parents, go to the Adolescent Parent Program page on the MOAPPP website.