MOAPPP September 2004 E-Monthly

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Table of Contents

Effects of requiring parental permission for contraceptives

Imposing a parental consent requirement for contraceptives seemed to raise the frequency of pregnancies and births among young women in a suburban Illinois county that in 1998 began requiring parental consent before providing contraceptives at the only public health clinic in the county. Because that policy violated Title X, the county uses its own funds to pay for contraceptive services at the clinic for eligible adults and minors who have parental consent. The clinic refers minors who do not want to involve their parents to clinics in nearby counties. Researchers who compared the rate of pregnancies and births in McHenry County with those in other counties concluded that the parental consent requirement resulted in more pregnancies and births. The research findings are reported in the August 2004 issue of the Journal of Public Health.

Wisconsin health plans that cover prescription drugs must also cover contraception, state Attorney General says

Wisconsin may be one step ahead of Minnesota when it comes to contraception coverage. According to State Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager (D), “employers that provide access to prescription drugs in their health care plans must cover prescription contraceptives, including emergency contraception.” Lautenshlager said that denying contraceptives when other drugs are covered violates both the state and federal law, including the Wisconsin Fair Employment Act, and endangers women’s right to equal health care. State Department of Health and Family Services Secretary Helene Nelson has requested a formal opinion to clarify whether state and federal laws require insurance plans to provide FDA approved contraceptives. Read entire article

New study finds U.S. teens with sexually active friends more likely to use alcohol and drugs

U.S. teens who report that at least half of their friends are sexually active are more likely to use alcohol, drugs and tobacco than teens who report having fewer sexually active friends, according to the “National Survey of American Attitudes on Substance Abuse IX: Teen Dating Practices and Sexual Activity” In addition, teens who reported having a boyfriend or girlfriend were more likely to try alcohol, marijuana or cigarettes than teens without a boyfriend or girlfriend. Link to report

New research on MN teens links sexual abuse history to increased pregnancy risk

Study concluded “teenage pregnancy risk is strongly linked to sexual abuse, especially for males and those who have experienced both incest and nonfamilial abuse. To further reduce the U.S. teenage pregnancy rate, the pregnancy prevention needs of these groups must be adequately addressed.”

Source: Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 2004,
36(3):98–105

Teen pregnancy PowerPoint presentations available

Five new PowerPoint presentations, based on research published as part of the National Campaign’s “Putting What Works to Work” (PWWTW) project, are now available for free download. These presentations join three full-length research documents and nine “Science Says” research briefs. These resources are part of a project to provide the latest research in straightforward language and provide clear implications for policy leaders, program practitioners, and parents. View or download the presentations

September 23
This is my reality: The price of sex

5:30-8:30 p.m.
Location: Sabathani Community Center, 310 E. 38th St.
Information: Clarence Jones 612-821-2362

A town hall meeting presented by Southside Health Partnership on adolescence and young adult sexuality. The forum will address the following questions: Why are today’s black girls in a no-win situation, is abstinence a joke in the inner city, how early should parents talk with their kids about sex, and what about the boys? Community parents are encouraged to attend with their teens. A light dinner will be served.

September 15, 22, 29 and October 6 and 13
Using evaluation strategies to strengthen programs

4:05-6:35 p.m.
University of Minnesota College of Education and Human Development
Registration: 612-624-1221
Enroll by August 31 to avoid late fees.
Information: Shannon Rader 612-624-1294, [email protected]
Website

Evaluation doesn’t have to be intimidating! Learn how to make evaluation work for you and your program. Examine how program outcomes and indicators can be developed to reflect family strengths and explore a process intended to help you decide if your program is ready for evaluation.

September 27-29
Practical applications of attachment theory and research in home visiting and group work with parents and infants

Irving B. Harris Center for Infant & Toddler Development
Information & registration

This 3-day course, taught by Dr. Marti Erickson and Scott Harmon, MSW, features core strategies from the STEEP Program, including the Seeing is Believing video approach.

September 28
Role of evaluation in program accountability and policy formation

Part 1 – Inquiry to impact: Youth development in out-of-school time

8:30 a.m. to noon FREE
McNamara Alumni Center
Sponsored by the University of Minnesota. Presented by Dr. Heather Weiss, Harvard University.
Website

October 8
The impact of mass media on children

7:00–9:30 p.m. FREE
Westwood Community Church, 3121 Westwood Drive, Chanhassen
Register: Ridgeview Medical Center 952-442-8084

Presented by Dr. David Walsh, president and founder, National Institute on Media and the Family. This session is for parents of children, birth through teens.

October 9
Why do they act that way? A survival guide to the adolescent brain for you and your teen

9:00-10:30 a.m. FREE
Westwood Community Church, 3121 Westwood Drive, Chanhassen
Register: Ridgeview Medical Center 952-442-8084

Presented by Dr. David Walsh, president and founder of National Institute on Media and the Family

October 19
Truth or consequences: Replacing facts with ideology in fighting HIV, STDs and unplanned pregnancies

7:00-8:30 p.m.
Macalester College Student Center, 1600 Grand Ave., St. Paul
Featuring James Wagoner, Executive Director, Advocates for Youth

October 28
After-school activities as contexts of development

Part 2 – Inquiry to impact: Youth development in out-of-school time

8:30 a.m. to noon FREE
McNamara Alumni Center
Sponsored by the University of Minnesota.
Presented by Dr. Joseph Mahoney, Yale University.
Website

November 4-6
Healthy communities, healthy youth conference

St. Paul – Sponsord by the Search Institute

November 7
AFFIRM 2004: What a girl wants… A firm foundation

1:00–4:30 p.m.
Sabes JCC, St. Louis Park
Registration: NCJW 952-922-7900

AFFIRM is for girls in Grades 6–8 and the significant adults in their lives. The program includes a theater performance, interactive workshops and age-appropriate discussion groups to help girls explore how to create, maintain, and enjoy positive relationships in their lives.

November 7-11
GLICHE Institute

Cragun’s Conference Center and Resort in Brainerd
Cost: $825 includes room, board & tuition.
Information: [email protected]

Great Lakes Institute for Community Health Educators is an experiential institute designed for sexuality educators to learn presentation and program planning skills.

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