MOAPPP Adolescent Parent ENews

May/June 2010

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.
-Leo Buscaglia

Announcements

Can You Spend a Couple of Hours to Tell us About your Experiences Working with Teen Parents?

A graduate student from the University of Minnesota is gathering groups of professionals to eat and talk about the lessons learned regarding educating and supporting teen parents. She is looking for professionals (social workers, public health nurses, parent educators, those who work with teen dads, and any other people who work with teen parents) who have worked at least two years with teen parents and in particular, with low-income teen parents. The commitment is one evening discussion group during the month of June at the MOAPPP office. It will last about two hours and dinner will be served. (This can also count as in-service for those who need continuing education hours). For more information, contact Sue Fust, .

Federal Funding

An RFP from the Office of Adolescent Pregnancy Programs has been released. 10 multi-year demonstration grants will be awarded to programs with rigorous evaluation components to develop and test services for pregnant and parenting adolescents and their families. Read a summary of the RFP (PDF). The official RFP notice from the federal government is located here.

StayTeen.org PSA Art Context

For the Teens You Serve: Come up with an image or a message that illustrates the importance of preventing teen pregnancy. Winners will get $250 and their work will be featured on StayTeen.org materials. Learn more about the contest here.

Parents Needed to Participate in an Online Research Study

The Parenting 2.0 research project, sponsored by the University of Minnesota, is looking for parents who use the Internet to participate in an online research study. The study involves filling out a 20-minute online survey about how and why they use the Internet. The purpose of the Parenting 2.0 research project is to learn more about the ways and the reasons why parents use technology. Results from this study will be used to help develop parent education resources. If you have any questions about the study, visit their website or contact Dr. Jodi Dworkin at or Dr. Susan Walker at . If you are interested in getting information about the results, click here to sign up to be notified about the findings.

Sale on Father Posters, etc.

The Fatherhood Resource Center is having a sale on posters, curricula and brochures. Click here to see what you can buy at a reduced cost. Some of their posters might be just the thing to start making your program look more father-friendly!

New Co-Parenting Website

When parents are consistent and support each other in the task of parenting, children benefit. Sometimes this is called co-parenting, shared parenting or a parenting partnership. Whether parents are married, living together, dating, divorced or disagreeing on most things, We Can Parent Together offers them tips to come together for the benefit of their children. This new website also has good information for professionals who are working with co-parents. The website was developed by Minnesota Fathers & Families Network (MFFN), Minnesota Institute of Public Health (MIPH), Minnesota Organization on Adolescent Pregnancy, Prevention and Parenting (MOAPPP), Prevent Child Abuse Minnesota (PCAMN), and University of Minnesota Extension.

Helping Pregnant and Parenting Teens Find Housing

Up to 400,000 teen girls are pregnant and homeless. The American Bar Association Center on Children and the Law and the Healthy Teen Network have developed an overview of programs and housing-related legal and policy issues for advocates working with young families in need. This fact sheet helps explain available programs from a national perspective.

New Spanish Language Version of Bridge to Benefits

Children’s Defense Fund (CDF)-Minnesota launched a Spanish language version of its popular Bridge to Benefits website, a project that seeks to improve the economic stability of low-income families by helping connect them to an array of public work support programs and tax credits. The website uses a simple screening tool to help individuals and families determine their eligibility for the following programs:

MinnesotaCare
Medical Assistance
General Assistance Medical Care
Energy Assistance Program
Food Support
School Meal Program
Child Care Assistance
Earned Income Tax Credit
Working Family Credit
WIC Program

The site also includes information on each of the programs, guidelines for how to apply and downloadable applications.

In the News

Minnesota Visiting Nurse Agency highlighted in story

Minneapolis home visiting nurses received great press. Read the Star Tribune article.

Minneapolis Broadway High School featured in news story

Read the Star Tribune column by Gail Rosenblum here.

Postpartum Depression in Dads? Yes, Says the Research!

Mothers are not the only ones at risk for experiencing depression after the birth of their children. Read the Wall Street Journal article.

A Teen Mom’s Story

Read a story about basketball star, Shaquille O’Neal’s mom, a parent at age 17.

U.S. Teen Unintended Pregnancy Rate Has Been Understated

Teens who are sexually active are at higher risk of unintended pregnancy than their adult counterparts. Traditional estimates of unintended pregnancy understate the extent to which sexually active adolescents experience such pregnancies. Read the news release.

Cultural Influences on Parenting

This Zero to Three article (PDF) highlights some of the differences in these racial and ethnic groups, such as parents’ understanding of early social and emotional development, expectations for school readiness and the sources of support and information that have the most influence on parents. Exploring these differences is an important first step in understanding ways to more effectively engage all parents.

Effects of Low-Quality Child Care Last into Adolescence

The quality of child care in the first four years plays a significant role in a child’s development. Read the Washington Post article.

Research

From Child Trends: Early Head Start

Child Trends reports (PDF) that Early Head Start gains persist into the preschool years — improved math and literacy skills, reduced aggressive or hyperactive behaviors, longer attention spans and a more engaged relationship between the children and their parents.

Effect of Child Abuse on Later Intimate Relationships

Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma has put out a special double issue focusing on the effects that childhood emotional maltreatment has on intimate relationships. It explores the relational difficulties often encountered by emotional abuse survivors. The empirically based articles in these issues look at the association between childhood emotional maltreatment and the relational difficulties of self-sacrifice, codependency, intimate partner violence, and sexual aggression.

Fatherhood Can Help Young Men Re-Assess their Lives and Status in Society

This study reports on the experience of a cohort of low socio-economic status New Zealand males who grew up during the economic reforms of the mid-1980s and 1990s. Seeing little future for themselves, they made minimal preparation for the demands of adult life, remaining instead on the margins of society. Fatherhood prompted them to re-script their self-assessment and their extra-marginal position.

Young Adults at High Risk for STDs, But Don’t Think They Are

15 percent of young adults in the U.S. between the ages of 18 and 26 have had a sexually transmitted disease (STD) within the past year, but nearly three-quarters of these young adults with an STD did not believe that they were at risk, according to a new Child Trends brief. Sexually Transmitted Diseases among Young Adults: Prevalence, Perceived Risk, and Risk-Taking Behaviors (PDF) analyzes recently released data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health to provide estimates on the prevalence of and attitudes toward STDs among young adults, as well as on the behaviors that may put them at risk of contracting an STD.

What Do Parents Know About Children?

Results are out from a new national survey (PDF) of 1,615 parents of children from birth to three years conducted for ZERO TO THREE that was designed to explore issues and challenges that parents of young children confront today, gaps in knowledge about early development, sources of information and support to which parents turn and factors that influence their approaches to parenting.

The Structure of Male Adolescent Peer Networks and Risk for Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration: Findings from a National Sample.

This study is a descriptive analysis of how peer network “types” may be related to subsequent risk for intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration among adolescents. Men in the group type characterized by small, dense, mostly male peer networks with higher levels of delinquent behavior reported higher rates of subsequent IPV perpetration than men whose adolescent network type was characterized by large, loosely connected groups of less delinquent male and female friends. Implications for prevention programming and future research are addressed.

New Report on Teens and Cell Phones: Things Adults and Service Providers Should Know

One finding in this new report from Pew: Cell phones help bridge the digital divide by providing internet access to less privileged teens (although, for some teens, using the internet from their mobile phone is too expensive). Teens from low-income households, particularly African-Americans, are much more likely than other teens to go online using a cell phone. This and other findings from this report may help service providers communicate better with youth.

Another finding: Parents of 12-13 year-old girls are more likely to report cell phone monitoring and limiting a child’s text messaging relates to lower levels of various texting behaviors among teens. Teens who are limited in texting by their parents are less likely to report regretting a text they sent, or to report sending sexually suggestive nude or nearly nude images by text (also known as “sexting”).

Foster Care Youth Often Struggle with Unplanned Pregnancies and Parenthood

A report by Chapin Hall indicates that many foster care youth become parents too early and without planning and by age 24 many are poorly educated and unemployed. They suggest that states make a serious effort to design programs to address this issue. Read the most recent full report of the longitudinal Midwest Foster Care Youth Study here.

Resources

Sale on InJoy Prenatal videos through June 30.

Encourage expectant moms to stay healthy and fit throughout their entire pregnancy. InJoy has the educational tools you need to promote prenatal health and fitness. Now you can teach how, and why, a healthy pregnancy can support a better and safer childbirth experience. Now is the time to add to your DVD library! Reserve your copy of the soon-to-be-released Alcohol & Pregnancy: Making Healthy Choices, or order any of their best-selling prenatal titles. Use Coupon Code ECHP410 to receive your discount. Offer expires 6/30/2010.

From Zero to Three: 16-Month-Olds

Click here to see developmental information and activities parents can do with 16-month-old toddlers.

Teen Dating Violence – Teen Perspectives

Read what teens have to say about dating violence at www.community.rwjf.org.

Policy Update

New Child Care Authorization Rules for Teen Parents

Parents up to age 21 years who are in an approved GED or high school program may receive authorization for Child Care Assistance Program funds for a longer period of time, based on the school year rather than the current six month period. This is an important policy change in that it supports the educational goals of young parents and takes away some of their burden of completing and submitting extra paperwork during the school year.

Upcoming MOAPPP Trainings

June 22-23, 2010 – Duluth
July 13-14, 2010 – Winona
It’s That Easy! Parent Educator Training

Duluth
June 22-23, 2010
8:45 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Building for Women
32 East 1st Street, Duluth

Winona
July 13-14, 2010
8:45 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., July 13
10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., July 14
Winona County Community Health Services
60 West Third Street, Winona

If you work with parents/caregivers of children aged birth to 18, you are in a unique position to support them in their critical role as sexuality educators for their children. However, sexuality is not always easy to discuss. Come learn tools and techniques to engage parents/caregivers in developmentally appropriate approaches to raising sexually healthy children. Participants receive the It’s That Easy! resource manual, a comprehensive guide designed to help you work with parents in your community.

For more information and to register, see the flyer and registration form (PDF).

Click here to register online for Duluth.

Click here to register for Winona.

Questions? Contact Jocelyn at 651.644.1447 x 19, .

July 20-22, 2010
Safer Choices: Training of Educators
NOTE: CHANGE OF DATE

8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., July 20 and 21
8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., July 22
Minnesota Department of Education
1500 Highway 36 West, Roseville

Safer Choices is an evidence-based curriculum taught over two consecutive years, 10 lessons in ninth grade (Level One) and 10 lessons in 10th grade (Level Two). Safer Choices involves teachers, parents, and community members to have a positive influence on adolescents’ decisions regarding sex and help them feel supported in making healthy choices. In addition to the highly interactive training, each participant receives a copy of the Safer Choices curriculum, student workbooks and activity kit.

For more information and to register, see the flyer and registration form (PDF). Click here to register online. Registration scholarships are available. Questions? Contact Jill at 651.644.1447 x 18, .

Other Upcoming Trainings

June 7 to August 9, 2010

Center for Early Education and Development (CEED)
College of Education and Human Development
University of Minnesota

CEED welcomes registrations for our five, nine-week Summer 2010 online course sessions:

Introduction to Infant Mental Health
(24 clock hours), $225 plus required textbook Instructor: Marit Appeldoorn, MSW, LICSW, St. David’s Child Development and Family Services
Parent-Infant Pathways: An Educator’s Guide to Providing Information and Support to New Parents
(36 clock hours), $340 plus required materials Instructor: Jolene Pearson, B.E.S., M.S., IMH-E® (IV), Minneapolis Public Schools, Early Childhood Special Education, Interagency Facilitator

June 9, 2010
Beauty Redefined: The Future of Girls’ Body Image, Health and Media

1:00 to 2:00 pm CDT
Webinar

Imagine a world where girls’ ability mattered more than their appearance. Imagine a world where girls’ energy went to changing the word rather than aspiring to look like fashion models. Join this webinar for an engaging discussion of these issues based in research, program and policy efforts led by Girl Scouts of the USA. Highlighted work will include a recent survey by the Girl Scout Research Institute about girls’ body image and the fashion industry as well as national findings on girls’ health. In addition, we will discuss an exciting new piece of legislation initiated by Girl Scouts — the Healthy Media for Youth Act as well as new programming on girls and self-esteem. Register here.

June 14 to August 16, 2010

Center for Early Education and Development (CEED)
College of Education and Human Development
University of Minnesota

CEED welcomes registrations for our five, nine-week Summer 2010 online course sessions:

Premature Babies and Their Parents: Information and Insights for Early Intervention Personnel
(36 clock hours), $340 plus required materials Instructor: Jolene Pearson, M.S., IMH-E® (IV), Minneapolis Public Schools, Early Childhood Special Education
Prenatal Developmental Intervention: For Professionals Working with Families During Pregnancy
(24 clock hours), $225 plus required materials Instructor: Joann O’Leary, Ph.D., MPH, MS
Bridging Education and Mental Health
(24 clock hours), $225 plus required materials Instructor: Leah Hjelseth, MA, Doctoral candidate, Educational Psychology

If you would like a sample syllabus or have questions, please contact Karen Anderson, CEED Online Course Manager, at 612.625.6617 or .

June 17 – 18, 2010
Evidence-Based Practice for Early Childhood Special Educators and Collaborative Partners

8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
St. John’s University
County Road 159 and Fruit Farm Road, Collegeville

The Minnesota Early Intervention Summer Institute is a professional development opportunity provided to the early childhood field through sponsorship by the Minnesota Department of Education. Participants select one of these topics for intensive training with the following speakers:

Evidence-based Practices for Young Dual Language Learners: Language, Culture, and Practice (Lillian Durán)
Infusing Caregiver-Child Observation and Coaching into Reflective Practice Models (Mary Ann Marchel, Christopher Watson)
KidTalk: Naturalistic Communication Intervention for Young Children (Ann Kaiser, Megan Roberts)
Play and Learn: A Universal Design Curriculum for Children of ALL Abilities (Mary Sullivan Coleman, Laura Kreuger)
Premature Babies—Helping Parents Navigate an Unexpected Journey (Jolene Pearson, Joann O’Leary)
Promoting Social and Emotional Competence in Young Children: An Overview of the Pyramid Model (TACSEI Master Cadre)
Routines-Based Intervention (Lee Ann Jung)

Registration is available online only by clicking here. Questions? Contact Sara Zettervall at 612.625.2252, .

July 26-28, 2010
2010 Summer Institute on Adolescent Health: Positive Pathways to Prevent Youth Violence

A public health lens sees that no single strategy prevents youth violence. Rather, prevention requires long-term commitment to a full spectrum of strategies. What should these be? More punishment? Indifference to the problem? The evidence calls us to move beyond these responses; social justice demands a reorientation of priorities. Mark your calendars today. More information will be forthcoming. Click here for more information.

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