MOAPPP October 2008 E-Monthly

Let’s Talk Month…There’s Still Time…

  • To plan an event or workshop for October’s Let’s Talk Month. Check out the Let’s Talk Month webpage on the MOAPPP website to find ideas. MOAPPP October 2008 E-Monthly
  • To publicize Let’s Talk Month events on our state-wide calendar.
  • To encourage parents/caregivers to begin the conversation with the young person in their life.
  • To partner with MOAPPP in showing support for parents as their children’s primary sexual health educators. See a list of our current LTM partners.
  • To attend one of the following MOAPPP co-sponsored events to kick-off this special month:

October 6, 2008
4:15–5:15 p.m.
Did You See That? Educators Dealing Effectively with Sexualized Behavior in Schools
A staff development opportunity for teachers with Deborah Roffman for teachers and staff E-12
Click here for more details

October 6, 2008
7:00–8:30 p.m.
Right from the Start: Parents as Sexuality Educators
An Evening Event with Deborah Roffman, Author and Family Life Educator

For parents (and caring adults) with children from preschool to grade 12
Click here for more details

October 7, 2008
9:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Right from the Start: Parents as Sexuality Educators
A Day for Professionals with Deborah Roffman
Click here for more details

Contact Jocelyn at MOAPPP at 651-644-1447 x19 or for more information. Thank you to all of our partners for helping make Let’s Talk Month 2008 a great success!


Join the MOAPPP Advocacy Network

The 2009 legislature convenes on January 6th, 2009. To receive updates on what’s happening at the Capitol and to advocate for funding and programs for youth in Minnesota, register today for the MOAPPP Advocacy Network.


“Call for Presentations” – MOAPPP’s 18th Annual Conference, May 7-8, 2009

We invite you to submit a workshop proposal for MOAPPP’s 18th Annual Conference, May 7-8, 2009. The conference brings together over 400 health and social service providers, educators, advocates and managers who work to prevent adolescent pregnancy and support pregnant and parenting adolescents. See the call for presentations for more information.


Spotlight on Community Connections

Be sure to visit the new Community Connections section of the MOAPPP website to discover the community-specific resources we’ve put together. This month, we’d like to shine a spotlight on Aqui Para Ti or Here for You, a clinic-based program for Latino youth ages 11 to 24 and their families. In addition to traditional clinic services, staff members work with youth and families to connect them to additional services, including mental health evaluation, counseling and resource referrals. Aqui Para Ti is based at the Hennepin East Lake Clinic in Minneapolis.

Other Announcements

Capacity Building Assistance Opportunity

Through a partnership with the CDC Division of Adolescent and School Health, the AIDS Alliance for Children, Youth and Families is offering capacity building assistance to help community-based organizations initiate or improve HIV prevention programs for African American and Latina teen girls, ages 13-18 through the Girls 4 HOPE (Health, Opportunities, Prevention & Education) program. There are five openings for community-based organizations from across the country to receive comprehensive capacity building assistance. For more information, see the application. Applications are due October 31, 2008.

For Youth

¡Qué Onda! A Leadership Volunteer Program for Latino Youth

¡Qué Onda! (What’s Up!) is accepting applications from Latino youth aged 14-18 for the 2008-09 program beginning in October. Participants will acquire basic knowledge about reproductive health, practice communication skills as they educate others and contribute to a better world by helping their community. Call 612-821-6118 for more information.


October 2-December 11, 2008
Young Women of Excellence Program

5:30-6:30 p.m.
Phytt for Life Youth Center
310 East 38th Street Street, Minneapolis

This 10-week program is for young women ages 14-18. Topics discussed will be college preparation, relationships, personal finance, leadership and more. For more information, call 612-821-2383 or see the flyer.


October 18-December 13, 2008
Project Alpha

11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Phytt for Life Youth Center
310 East 38th Street Street, Minneapolis

This program for young men ages 12–18 is designed to provide education, motivation and skill-building on issues such as relationships, pregnancy prevention, sexual responsibility, health and wellness and violence prevention. For more information, contact Phytt for Life Youth Center, 612-821-2383 or Sean Burns at 612-388-2734.


Youth Bloggers Wanted!

Advocates for Youth is seeking bloggers for a new online youth activism project. This position comes with a stipend of $100 per month and applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. For more information or to apply, contact or visit www.advocatesforyouth.org.

In the News

Medical Groups, AHA and Attorneys General Voice Opposition to HHS Regulation

Six medical associations and 13 state attorneys general wrote letters of opposition to the new HHS regulation that would allow health care providers who receive federal grants to “opt out” of care they conscientiously object. Advocates fear this new regulation will further limit access to contraception and sexual health services to an already underserved population. Read more at www.nationalpartnership.org.

New Resources

Survive Outside Project

ETR Associates and the National Partnership for Juvenile Services (NPJS) are working together on the Survive Outside Project, an HIV/STI prevention project designed specifically to meet the needs of youth in juvenile justice facilities and alternative schools. Survive Outside intends to build the capacity of juvenile justice and alternative school staff to implement evidence-based HIV/STI prevention interventions by offering FREE trainings, materials and technical assistance on a variety of interventions for the juvenile justice and alternative school setting. For more information, visit the Survive Outside website.


New Online Resource from the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy

Visit the Data Section of the Campaign’s website for an online tool that allows you to compare up to three different states on measures such as teen pregnancy and birth rates, sexual activity and contraceptive use.

New Research

Pregnancy-Free Club: A Strategy to Prevent Repeat Adolescent Pregnancy

This article, published in the August 2008 issue of Public Health Nursing summarizes program results across nine years showing a repeat pregnancy rate of 7.2%, far below the baseline rate of 25%. The Division of Public Health of the city of Bloomington, MN runs this program.


Ambivalence Toward Pregnancy Undermines Consistent Use of Contraceptives

Published in the September 2008 issue of Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, this article found that the perceived emotional and sexual benefits of becoming pregnant may outweigh the goal of preventing a pregnancy through contraceptive use, even when the pregnancy is not wholly intended. The researchers note that clinicians and patients would benefit from clearer guidelines for assessing ambivalence and for linking ambivalent clients with longer-acting methods that are not coitus-dependent. Read the study.


Review of Peer-Led Approach in Adolescent Sexual Health Education

This study provides an overview of the literature published in 1998–2005 on the effectiveness of peer-led sex education interventions. Although the overall findings do not provide convincing evidence that peer-led education improves sexual outcomes among teens, the authors recommend that these interventions be fine-tuned rather than abandoned, and that future research build on the successful trials conducted to date. Read the abstract.


Timing of Sexual Debut and Initiation of Postsecondary Education

A new analysis of data examines the relationship between the initiation of first sex and educational attainment. Read the abstract.


Sex Education–Effective Programs and Human Rights

A special issue of the Sexuality Research & Social Policy journal is now available, and contains articles by noted researchers Douglas Kirby, Leslie Kantor and John Santelli, including:

  • Human Rights, Cultural, and Scientific Aspects of Abstinence-Only Policies and Programs
  • The Accuracy of Condom Information in Three Selected Abstinence-Only Education Curricula
  • Abstinence-Only Policies and Programs: An Overview
  • State Refusal of Federal Funding for Abstinence-Only Programs

The full table of contents can be viewed on the UC Press website.


Majority of Adolescents, Young Adult Women Unaware of Intrauterine Devices

A recent survey in the September 2008 issue of Contraception analyzes knowledge of IUDs among young women ages 14 to 24. The survey also looked at the effect an educational discussion has on women’s attitudes about IUDs.


Sexual Activities Other than Intercourse Carry Risk of STIs

A report from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) published in the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology confirmed that non-coital acts such as oral and anal sex carry some risk of sexually transmitted infections. This highlights the need for open discussions about all sexual practices between physicians and patients so they are adequately advised on risk and prevention strategies.


Forced Sexual Intercourse Among Young Adult Women

A new report released by Childtrends found that 18% of females aged 18-24 reported having involuntary or forced sex at least once. The analysis noted that over 50% percent of those reporting forced sex said the first encounter occurred when they were 16 years or younger. Those who have had forced sex were more likely to have had a sexually transmitted disease, and to have had more sexual partners than those who had never been forced to have sexual intercourse.

MOAPPP Events

October 6, 2008
Did You See That? … Educators Dealing Effectively with Sexualized Behavior in Schools

A staff development opportunity for teachers with Deborah Roffman for teachers and staff E-12

4:15–5:15 p.m.
Hopkins Center for the Arts
1111 Mainstreet, Hopkins

As advertisers and merchandisers increasingly target teens, preteens and even elementary-age children with highly sexualized messages, our students often exhibit behavior, language and dress in schools that present unique challenges to us as educators. Using a variety of scenarios, learn from a master teacher how to confidently turn these uncomfortable moments into important teachable moments. Deborah Roffman has “seen it all” over her 35-year career as a school-based sexuality educator. Free of chargeFree CEUs. For more details, see the flyer.


October 6, 2008
Right from the Start: Parents as Sexuality Educators
An Evening Event with Deborah Roffman, Author and Family Life Educator
For parents (and caring adults) with children from preschool to grade 12

7:00–8:30 p.m.
Hopkins Center for the Arts
1111 Mainstreet, Hopkins

Even in today’s media-saturated world, research demonstrates that parents and caregivers are the most significant influence in the lives of young people and are their most effective buffer against risk-taking behaviors. Deborah Roffman, nationally known author and family life educator, will explore effective strategies for parents and caregivers as primary sexuality educators of their children from birth to the teen years. Cost is $10/person; $15/household. Free CEUs are available. Register online or call 952-401-6812 .

Co-Sponsored by the West Metro Parent Education Collaborative and MOAPPP.


October 7, 2008
Right from the Start: Parents as Sexuality Educators
A Day for Professionals with Deborah Roffman

9:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Hopkins Center for the Arts
1111 Mainstreet, Hopkins

Deborah Roffman is a powerful advocate for children, understanding that in a society that gives confusing and exploitative messages about sexuality, children are desperate for communication with the caring adults in their lives. Parents and caregivers are the most significant influence in the lives of young people and are their most effective buffer against risk-taking behaviors. Ms. Roffman will share her insights, humor and practical applications based on decades of experience working in the classroom and with parents and professionals.

For more information, see the event flyer and registration form. Questions? Contact Jocelyn Broyles at 651-644-1447 x19, .

Co-sponsored by Hennepin County Human Services and Public Health Department, Public Health Promotion; Planned Parenthood MN, ND, SD; and MOAPPP.


October 23 & 29, 2008
Relationship Matters: Promoting Secure Attachment in Young Families

Two Locations
October 23, 9:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m.—First Lutheran Church, Bemidji
October 29, 9:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m.—Blue Earth Public Library, Mankato

Relationship drives many aspects of infant development, including cognitive, emotional and social development. This workshop focuses on the importance of relationship—between parents and children and between adolescent parents and the professionals who work with them—and how these relationships foster the healthy development of children. It also highlights the strengths and challenges experienced by adolescent parents and their children, and the role every provider can play in enhancing the lives of these young families. For more information, see the flyer and event registration form. Questions? Contact Marilyn Colby Rivkin at 651-644-1447 x15, [email protected].


October 28-29 & November 12-13, 2008
It’s That Easy! Helping Parents Learn to Raise Sexually Healthy Children

Two Locations
October 28-29, 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.—AmericInn Lodge & Suites, Fergus Falls
November 12-13, 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.—Ramsey County Public Works, Arden Hills

Looking for tools to encourage parents/caregivers that you work with to embrace their role as the primary sexuality educator of their children? The It’s That Easy! training is designed for professionals who work with parents/caregivers of children birth to 18 and offers tools and techniques to engage parents/caregivers in developmentally appropriate approaches to raising sexually healthy children. Topics include attachment and parent-child connectedness, stages of sexual development, sharing family values on sexuality and healthy relationships, and influences of media and popular culture. Participants receive the It’s That Easy manual for implementation in their communities.

For more information, see the event flyer and registration form. Questions? Contact Jocelyn Broyles at 651-644-1447 x19, [email protected].

Special acknowledgements to our partners for their dedication to this project: Healthy Youth Development–Prevention Research Center-U of MN, Health Start/West Side Community Health Services, Saint Paul-Ramsey County Department of Public Health, Sexual Violence Prevention Program-MN Dept. of Health, Teen Age Medical Service, West Suburban Teen Clinic, Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota International Health Volunteers.

Coalition for Responsible Sex Ed Events

 Coalition for Responsible Sex Ed

MOAPPP is a founding member of the Coalition for Responsible Sex Ed. The Coalition advocates for policies on sexuality education and access to confidential health care for minors. Here is a list of Coalition events for 2008. For additional information, visit www.coalitionforsexed.org.

October 21, 2008
Leading the Way: Sex Ed Policy Across Minnesota

9:00-10:30 a.m.
Open Book
1011 Washington Avenue South, Minneapolis

Join us for this fall event to learn about important projects across the state that make Minnesota a leader in sex education. There’s a whole lot happening…and it’s not just at the Capitol! Come and learn how you can be part of it! Together we can continue to move responsible sex education forward.

This event is free. Please by Thursday, October 16th. If you have questions about the event, contact Lorie Alveshere at 651-644-1447 x12 or . Not a member of the Coalition yet? Visit the Coalition for Responsible Sex Ed site and sign up today.

Other Events

October 2–December 11, 2008
Developing Active Dads Program (D.A.D.)

7:00–8:30 p.m.
Phytt for Life Youth Center
310 East 38th Street, Minneapolis

This series of workshops assists and focuses on current or expectant fathers, ages 24 and under, to be emotionally, financially and legally involved in the lives of their children. For more information call 612-238-2390 or visit www.plaintalkmpls.org.


October 5, 2008
“Journeyman” Screening on TCPT

7:00 p.m.
Twin Cities Public Television Channel 17

“Journeyman” is a documentary about rites of passage, mentoring and male culture in America. TCPT will broadcast a 30-minute version of the film and the Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota will supervise a phone bank during the broadcast to take calls from perspective mentors and mentees across the state. For more information, email Charlie Borden at or visit www.mirrormanfilms.org.


October 7-November 21, 2008
Engaging Fathers in Supporting Healthy Development of Young Children

Six locations
October 7-Little Falls
October 10-Albert Lea
October 21-Litchfield
October 28-Metro/Twin Cities
November 7-Duluth
November 21-Alexandria

This workshop series addresses research and theory about parent-child mental health birth-to-three; mental health community support for parents; principles for engaging men as clients and colleagues; and community resources for promoting parent engagement in early childhood development. The series is offered by the Minnesota Fathers & Families Network, Prevent Child Abuse Minnesota, DHS Children’s Trust Fund, the Minnesota Initiative Foundations and St. Cloud State University. For more details and registration, visit www.pcamn.org.


October 10, 2008
Every Student Connected: Building Capacity to Connect with Immigrant Students and Their Families

8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Brookdale Library
6125 Shingle Creek Parkway, Brooklyn Center

This workshop will explore how the student population of Hennepin County schools is changing rapidly. Topics will include ideas for strengthening school connectedness, diverse population panels and more. For more information, see the flyer.


October 11, November 8, 2008 and February 7, 2009
Planned Parenthood Mother/Daughter and Mother/Son Retreats

Three Locations
October 11-Making the ConnectionsA Day of Discovery for Mothers and Daughters-Rochester and Twin Cities
November 8-Building FoundationsA Day of Connections for Mothers and Sons-Twin Cities
February 7, 2009-Making the ConnectionsA Day of Discovery for Mothers and Daughters-Duluth

These one-day retreats are for mothers (or female mentors) and their 10-12 year old daughters or sons. Each retreat day focuses on enhancing connection and communication while learning more about puberty, adolescence and emerging sexuality. For more information, see the Mother/Daughter retreat brochure or the Mother/Son brochure or call the Planned Parenthood information line at 612-821-6198.


October 15-16, 2008
FutureNet Annual Conference: (Sex Ed) Policy Matters

Drake University, Des Moines, IA

The 2008 FutureNet conference will address various intersections of policy and practice in sexuality education in Iowa and provide direction as we move towards our shared goals of reduced adolescent pregnancy and STIs in the state as well as improved services and support for teen parent families.

For more information, see the brochure or contact Joy Esposito at 255-515-4000.


October 15, 2008
National Latino AIDS Awareness Day (NLAAD)

”United We Can: HIV/AIDS Stops Here. Prevention Starts With Us” (“Unidos Podemos: Detengamos al VIH/SIDA. La Prevención Empieza Con Nosotros”) is the theme for this year’s National Latino AIDS Awareness Day. Local planning efforts are under way for the observance and more information will be forwarded as details are finalized. To coordinate efforts or join the local planning committee in Minnesota, contact Sara Khalfa, Q Health Connections, 612-238-2391, [email protected]. For more information, visit www.nlaad.org.


October 23–December 18, 2008
Askable Adult Training

7:00 p.m.–8:30 p.m.
Phytt for Life Youth Center
310 East 38th Street, Minneapolis

Learn how to communicate with the young people in your life and learn more about what youth are dealing with today. This training is free for parents, youth workers or any adult who is ready to see change in the community. To learn more, visit www.plaintalkmpls.org or call 612-821-2383.


October 25, 2008
4th Annual Teen Relationship Summit
Breaking the Silence: The Real Deal

9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Camphor Memorial United Methodist Church
585 Fuller Avenue, St. Paul

Sponsored by the UJIMA Teen Pregnancy Prevention and Healthy Youth Development Program and in support of Let’s Talk Month, this summit is for youth in grades 7-12 and adults. Attendees will participate in a day of honest dialogue focusing on developing healthier relationships with particular emphasis on sexually transmitted diseases and infections (STDs and STIs) including HIV/AIDS. For more information, contact Juliet Mitchell at 651-224-0341, .


October 27 and November 16-17, 2008
Dads Make A Difference Fall Teen Training

Two Locations
Mankato
Plymouth

This training is for adults who work with teens in a school, youth-serving or faith-based organization. Make plans to bring the teens you work with to the DMAD that works best for you. For more information, see the flyer.


October 29, 2008
School Policies & Practices: Linking Learning and Health

7:30 a.m.-3:15 p.m.
Minnesota Department of Education
1500 Highway 36 West, Roseville

This workshop is designed for school leaders to examine the impact of school health policies and practices on school outcomes. Participants will review assessment tools that address the links between school health and learning; identify successful steps toward policy and environmental change; and explore policies and programs shown to be effective. For more information and to register, see the brochure.


October 29-November 1, 2008
Healthy Teen Network’s 2008 National Conference

Albuquerque, NM

This year’s conference theme is “Speaking Many Languages: Respecting Diversity, Believing in Equality.”  For more information and to register online, visit www.healthyteennetwork.org.


November 7, 2008
Creating Community Connections: Working Together for Teen Parents and their Families

11:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Brookdale Library
6125 Shingle Creek Parkway, Brooklyn Center

This forum and resource fair is for all providers who work with adolescent parents and their children. Go to the event flyer for more information and to register for this free event. This event is sponsored by the NW Teen Parent Connection; Minneapolis Teen Parent Connection; Minneapolis Department of Health and Family Support; and Hennepin County Human Services and Public Health.


January 12–13, 2009
Minnesota Fatherhood Summit

St. Cloud Civic Center, St. Cloud

Join MFFN for their 6th annual winter conference for professionals working in fatherhood programs, early childhood settings, public health, government agencies and related family/social service organizations. For more information, visit www.mnfathers.org or call 651-222-7432.