MOAPPP June 2005 E-Monthly

Coming Soon: A Comprehensive List of Adolescent Parent Providers

MOAPPP and the MN Department of Education are conducting an online survey of all adolescent parent services and programs around the state. Our goal is to develop a web-based, comprehensive list of adolescent parent providers to serve as a resource to anyone working with or concerned about teen parents and their children. Service providers will be able to access this on-line resource from the MOAPPP and Department of Education websites. The survey was sent out last week to the MOAPPP Adolescent Parent Network. If you did not receive a survey but want to be included, please email Marilyn Colby Rivkin at [email protected] and we will send you the link to the survey.

 

In the News

New “Science Says” Research Briefs

Two new Science Says research briefs are now available from the National Campaign. Both of these briefs are based on data from the recently-released National Survey of Family Growth, the premier source of national information on teen sexual behavior, contraceptive use, and pregnancy. Science Says #14 (PDF) focuses on teens’ attitudes toward sexual activity and Science Says #15 (PDF) examines teens’ attitudes toward nonmarital childbearing. To download all the National Campaign’s research briefs, click here.


It Ain’t All About the Down Low

Youth health educators and activists go beyond the juicy headlines of closeted lives in black communities and look at the many factors behind the rising HIV epidemic among women of color. More information is available online.


Abstinence-only Program Study Results

According to a study in the spring issue of “Adolescent and Family Health,” teens in the “Best Friends” Abstinence-Only Program are less likely to be sexually active than peers, but there are concerns that the program is very selective in who can participate, which affects program outcomes. The Kaiser Daily Reproductive Health Report provides a summary of this study. You can also read Advocates for Youth’s analysis and talking points related to the “Best Friends” program assessment online.


New Publication on Latino Adolescent Reproductive Health

The Center for Reproductive Health Research and Policy (University of California – San Francisco) created “A Future With Promise: Chartbook on Latino Adolescent Reproductive Health.” This monograph addresses the reproductive health profile of Latino youth living in the U.S. including: population, immigrant generation, families, health care access, education, sexual behavior, income, and STIs and HIV/AIDS. Copies of the Monograph can be downloaded online (PDF). Request hard copies at 415-502-4045, or email: .


Study on Virginity Pledges and Adolescent Sexual Behavior

The study builds upon previous research by assessing formal (public) vs. non-formal (private) virginity pledges and examines their association with the initiation of genital play, oral sex, and vaginal intercourse in early and middle adolescence. The findings indicate that making a private pledge or promise to oneself to wait to have sexual intercourse until one is older reduces the likelihood that adolescents will engage in sexual intercourse and oral sex. The effect persists even when controlling for socio-demographic variables. Making a formal pledge does not appear to have an effect on sexual behavior. Authors: Bersamin M, Walker S, Waiters E, et al., Title: Promising to wait: Virginity pledges and adolescent sexual behavior. Journal of Adolescent Health, volume 38, issue 5, pages 428-436. Abstract available online.


Promising Practices for Working with Immigrant Youth

“A Look at Immigrant Youth: Prospects and Promising Practices” from the National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL). This paper explores promising practices for serving immigrant youth including teen pregnancy prevention programs. More information is available online.


National Trends on Teen Childbearing

Teen birth rates are continuing to decline in the United States — in 2003 there were 41.7 births per 1,000 15- to 19-year olds, a significant drop from the 1991 peak rate of 61.8 births per 1,000 for the age group. But the U.S. still has one of the highest rates of teen pregnancy in the developed world. At this rate, about 17 percent of today’s 15-year-olds will give birth before they reach age 20. For state-by-state data on teen childbearing and the full text of the statistical summary “Facts at a Glance 2005,” go to the Child Trends websites at www.childtrends.org and www.childtrendsdatabank.org.


HHS Revises Web Site After Groups Complain

U.S. Health and Human Services Department revised their web site aimed at helping parents talk to teens about sexual abstinence after groups complained about bias. For more information, please go to Kaiser Daily Reproductive Health Report.


Teen Pregnancy Rate Dropped 30% in 1990s

The teen pregnancy rate dropped 30% in the 1990s. The National Campaign predicts that it will likely continue to drop. For more information, please go to Kaiser Daily Reproductive Health Report.


ACLU Sues HHS

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is suing the U.S. Health and Human Services Department (HHS) over government funding of the “Silver Ring Thing” abstinence initiative, claiming that the program promotes Christianity. For more information, please go to Kaiser Daily Reproductive Health Report.


Minnesota Governor Signs “Positive Alternatives Act”

MN Governor Pawlenty signed the “Positive Alternatives Act” which will allocate state funding for adoption and other abortion alternatives. The original version of the bill would have denied funding to any state group that provides abortion information to pregnant women. However, lawmakers amended the measure to allow state funding for organizations that mention abortion as an option but do not encourage abortion or arrange for abortion services. For more information, please go to Kaiser Daily Reproductive Health Report.


Grants for HIV/AIDS Programs

The Colin Higgins Foundation is accepting applications to fund programs in the areas of HIV/AIDS education, prevention, and treatment to at-risk populations, and to combat homophobia (includes comprehensive sex education). More information is available online.

 

MOAPPP Events

July 19 & 20, 2005
Designing and Evaluating Programs with Intent. A two-day training for adolescent reproductive health professionals.

8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Zuhrah Shrine, 2540 Park Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55404

We are all committed to providing programs and services that meet the needs of the youth and families we serve. But how do we know if our efforts make a difference? This training provides tools to design effective sexuality and reproductive health programs and evaluate their impact.

Day One: Behavior – Determinant – Intervention (BDI) Logic Model highlights a useful tool for designing and strengthening programs and guiding program evaluation design.

Day Two: Program Evaluation Basics offers key elements of effective program evaluation.

Registration:
MOAPPP member $40.00 per day, $70 two-day
Non-member $55.00 per day, $100 two-day
You may choose to register for one or two days, however, these trainings are most effective when you participate in both days.

Space is limited. Advance registration is required. Registration deadline is July 8, 2005.

For more information and registration form.


August 1-3, 2005
August 4, 2005 (graduate students only)
Skills for Effective Health Education: Teaching About Sexuality and HIV
2005 Summer Institute in Adolescent Health

8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
College of St. Catherine, Carondolet Center

This institute will focus on the “how” and “why” of effective sexuality and HIV education. Emphasis will be on teaching skills that are useful in any subject, and critical in teaching about sexuality and HIV, such as knowing how to create productive learning environments, use interactive and practice methods, and deal with student discomfort. The Summer Institute is sponsored by the U of MN Center for Adolescent Nursing, U of MN Healthy Youth Development – Prevention Research Center and MOAPPP. Registration is $250.00 for three day institute. Registration is limited. Deadline is July 18, 2005. For more information call: 612-624-3029 or e-mail . You can also get the registration form online

 

Other Events

May 23- June 10, 2005
Public Health Institute

University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Campus

The Public Health Institute, offered through the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, provides professionals a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in a chosen field of study for a single course or for the entire three weeks of the Institute. For more information visit the Public Health Institute webpage.


June 13 – 15
Attachment Theory and Home Visiting With Parents

9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Campus
The Irving B. Harris Center for Infant and Child Development
Registration number: 89029

This course builds on attachment theory and research, as well as research on the effectiveness of intervention in reducing risk and maximizing protective factors for high-risk infants and families.

Registration information is available at www.harristrainingcenter.org.


June 21, 2005
The Education of Shelby Knox

Tuesday, June 21, 2005
Nationwide: PBS Stations
Twin Cities: TPT Channel 2

A self-described “good Southern Baptist girl,” 15-year-old Shelby Knox of Lubbock, Texas has pledged abstinence until marriage. But she becomes an unlikely advocate for comprehensive sex ed when she finds that Lubbock, where high schools teach abstinence as the only safe sex, has some of the highest rates of teen pregnancy and STDs in the state. For more information on the film or to check listings nationwide.


June 28 & 30, 2005
Parent-Infant Pathways: Information & Support/Newborn

8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
University of Minnesota Campus, Twin Cities Campus
The Irving B. Harris Center for Infant and Child Development
Registration number: 89032

How to enhance parenting skills through creating teachable moments in newborn period, when new parents are especially eager to promote their infant’s growth/development.

Registration information is available at www.harristrainingcenter.org.


June 29, 2005
Transitions Roundtable: A Focus on Fatherhood after Incarceration

8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
St. John’s University, Collegeville, Minn.

Free registration to the first 60 registrants. Supported by the Otto Bremer Foundation. Hosted by the Minnesota Fathers & Families Network, www.mnfathers.org. See complete details and registration information online (PDF). This roundtable meeting will provide attendees with an opportunity to discuss strategies for helping fathers and men in families to transition successfully back into their families and communities. Participants will discuss a variety of services and programs for fathers that encourage the development of positive parenting attitudes and skills during incarceration and provide support for family integration after release. The meeting will provide a structured environment to:

  • Discuss the current context of services for fathers as they exit the state’s prisons and jails.
  • Highlight “signature practices” that help men achieve a stable family life and self sufficiency.
  • Determine a vision for developing more father-friendly and family-friendly communities for ex-offenders.
  • Develop action steps for attendees to implement in their agencies / communities.

Contact Paul Masiarchin at (612) 787-4091 or for further information.