MOAPPP January 2010 E-Monthly

Federal Teen Pregnancy Prevention Funding Information Sessions

February 17 – afternoon (final time to be determined) Twin Cities (location to be determined)
March 3 – afternoon (final time to be determined) Conference call

Funding for science-based teen pregnancy prevention programming will be available this coming spring from the new, federal Office of Adolescent Health. MOAPPP will share what it has learned about this funding in two information sessions to be held in February and March. Join us to learn which teen pregnancy prevention programs are likely to be funded, what constitutes a “promising program,” where to find data to make your case, and things to think about when applying for federal funds. The final time and location for the February 17 session will be announced via MOAPPP’s website, and the February E-Monthly. Phone-in information for the March session will be shared in the same way. See the “In the News” section of the E-Monthly for a link to The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy’s information page regarding funding. MOAPPP will also share any updates it receives via its website. Stay tuned!

Attend the 19th Annual MOAPPP Conference because…

this year’s conference brings with it the possibility of an appearance by the recently confirmed US Surgeon General. MOAPPP officially invited Dr. Regina Benjamin to address our conferees and, if her schedule permits, she will share the Obama Administration’s new vision for adolescent health. But even if the Surgeon General is unable to join us, conference planners have confirmed three highly respected and charismatic keynote speakers to provide data, stories and calls to action during the upcoming conference. They are: Hector Sanchez-Flores, Michele Ozumba and James Wagoner. For more information about these speakers and other features of the May 6-7 conference, visit the conference page of our website.

2010 Public Policy Survey

Take this short survey and let us know what issues you think need to be policy priorities for the year 2010. This information will help guide the development of our public policy agenda. Thank you in advance for your input!

Other Announcements

National Black HIV/ADS Awareness Day (NBHAAD) – February 7, 2010

“HIV/AIDS Prevention – A Choice and a Lifestyle” will be the theme for NBHAAD 2010. Downloadable materials are available online on the NBHAAD websites at www.blackaidsday.org and www.hbc-inc.org. For more information, contact Lamont Evans, 1-404-454-5469, [email protected]. Watch the MDH website for local updates and activities.

Emergency Contraception Now Available in St. Paul at Low or No Cost

The Saint Paul – Ramsey County Department of Public Health’s Family Planning Program is pleased to offer Plan B to women of any age who need it. Charges are based on a sliding fee scale according to income—in many cases, clients pay nothing. Anyone needing to pick up Plan B at the clinic (555 Cedar Street in downtown St. Paul) is asked to please call in advance: 651-266-1272.

In the News

Federal Funding for Teen Pregnancy Prevention

Significant funding for evidence-based teen pregnancy prevention programs has now passed Congress and been signed into law. The teen pregnancy prevention initiative provides $75 million for replicating programs that have been shown through rigorous evaluation to have positive effects on teens’ behavior, and $25 million for research and demonstration on promising programs. A new portal of The National Campaign’s primary website is dedicated exclusively to keeping you aware of all the latest developments on this historic federal investment in teen pregnancy prevention as well as possible additional federal funding that Congress may pass in the weeks ahead. The National Campaign recently held an informational conference call. A recording of the conference call is available for download here.

New Resources

Guía Para Padres de Adolescentes

Guía Para Padres de Adolescentes is a cultural adaptation and translation of Teen Talk for Spanish speaking families. Building on strategies for helping parents overcome obstacles of parent-teen communication, the Teen Talk fact sheets (English and Spanish) focus on teaching parents strategies that facilitate open communication and provide parents with the knowledge and confidence to talk with their teens about challenging topics. There is no cost for Guía Para Padres de Adolescentes. This project is a collaboration between University of Minnesota Extension and North Carolina Extension. For more information, contact Jodi Dworkin, Associate Professor and Extension Specialist, at [email protected], 612-624-3732 or Colleen Gengler, Extension Family Relations Educator, at [email protected], 888-241-4635 or 507-372-3907.

New Religion and Spirituality Resource

The new Religion and Spirituality section of Advocates for Youth’s website highlights some important resources relating to sex education and religion. Find religious organizations in your state that work on comprehensive sex education, reproductive rights, LGBT issues, and HIV/AIDS, and learn about Advocates’ Muslim Youth project and the Our Whole Lives curriculum.

Integrating HIV, STI, and Teen Pregnancy Prevention Education and Services

The integration of HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STI), and teen pregnancy prevention offers many advantages for both youth and youth-serving organizations. This new resource (PDF) from Healthy Teen Network highlights programs that achieve this integration.

The Role of Policy in Assuring Comprehensive Sex Ed

As part of their 10-year $60 million Teenage Pregnancy Prevention Initiative, The California Wellness Foundation funded 18 state and local organizations to conduct policy advocacy to strengthen teen pregnancy prevention policies. This article (PDF) describes how some of these grantees accomplished noteworthy goals, including the passage of the California Comprehensive Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Prevention Education Act (SB71).

New Resource for Comprehensive Sex Ed Advocates

Advocates’ new publication, Comprehensive Sex Education: Research and Results, is a one-stop shop for anyone advocating for sex education. This document (also available as a printable pdf) includes a succinct background of comprehensive sex education research, abstinence-only programs, public opinion on sex ed and talking points for why young people need sex ed.

New Research

The Fog Zone: How Misperceptions, Magical Thinking, and Ambivalence Put Young Adults at Risk for Unplanned Pregnancy

This survey of 1,800 people age 18-29 was conducted by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy and focuses on the attitudes and behavior of unmarried young adults—both men and women—regarding pregnancy planning, contraception and related issues. The findings include 20-somethings’ basic knowledge about and attitudes toward contraception, motivation to use contraception carefully and consistently, and attitudes and aspirations about relationships and forming families. Visit the Fog Zone portal to download the report, and common myths and facts about contraception and pregnancy.

Recession Puts Strain on Family Planning Centers

A new survey (PDF) by the Guttmacher Institute, A Real-Time Look at the Impact of the Recession on Publicly Funded Family Planning Centers, reports that publicly funded family planning providers are struggling to meet a growing need for subsidized contraceptive care. The report found that two-thirds of the clinics reported an increase in the number of clients seeking contraceptive services between the first quarter of 2008 and the first quarter of 2009, and nearly two-thirds reported a decline in the number of clients who are able to pay the full fee for services. This surge is straining already-limited resources, and is exacerbated by rising unemployment that has resulted in more women losing employer-based insurance coverage.

The Impact of Delinquency on Young Adult Sexual Risk Behaviors and Sexually Transmitted Infections

Youth in the juvenile justice system have increased sexual risk behavior and sexually transmitted infections (STI). However, research exploring the effect of self-reported delinquency on sexual risk behavior and STI is limited. This study examined the longitudinal association between delinquent behavior, sexual risk behavior and STI among adolescents and young adults. Researchers found that delinquent behavior does not predict STI in a population-based sample of youth. Programs and interventions that address the sexual health of youth need to consider the role of delinquency in shaping sexual risk behaviors, and future research should explore broader societal and environmental risk factors on STIs. Read the abstract here.

Longitudinal Predictors of Change in Number of Sexual Partners across Adolescence and Early Adulthood

Although sexual risk behavior has negative consequences in adolescence and early adulthood, little is known about pathways of sexual risk across development and their correlates. Study goals were to examine trajectories of number of sexual partners across adolescence and into early adulthood, and to investigate hypothesized individual and family-level predictors. This study advances our understanding of change in sexual behavior across development and the individual and contextual correlates of such change. Findings document the cumulative implications of individual cognitions, family experiences, and social contexts for adolescent and young adult sexual experiences. Read the abstract here.

MOAPPP Events

February 9, 2010
Teen Pregnancy Prevention 101

9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Eastside Community Center
1526 East 6th Street, St. Paul

This training is offered twice a year at various locations across Minnesota.

This training is intended for professionals new to the field of adolescent pregnancy prevention. Participants review the basics of adolescent pregnancy prevention including pregnancy, birth and STI statistics; trends in adolescent pregnancy and sexual behaviors; basics of adolescent growth and development; risk and protective factors associated with adolescent pregnancy; and prevention strategies that work. Each participant will leave with a basic understanding of current research and resources, what to do to promote adolescent sexual health and where to go for more information and support. 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 x18, [email protected]

February 10, 2010
2 Trainings: Meeting the Unique Needs of Adolescent Mothers & Fathers and Practical Tips for Working with Teen Moms & Dads

Both trainings on Wednesday, February 10 in St. Paul.

Meeting the Unique Needs of Adolescent Mothers & Fathers
9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Minnesota Department of Health
Snelling Office Park
1645 Energy Park Drive, St. Paul
Includes light continental breakfast and lunch

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; systems that impact 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.

Practical Tips for Working with Teen Moms & Dads
2:15 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Minnesota Department of Health
Snelling Office Park
1645 Energy Park Drive, St. Paul

Working with adolescent parents can be both rewarding and challenging. Adults may find themselves unclear how to communicate concepts to young parents in a way that is meaningful and produces results. This workshop provides guidelines for how to develop activities and communicate with youth along with several specific take-away ideas and activities.

Cost for both trainings: $50 MOAPPP members/$85 non-members
Cost for Meeting the Unique Needs training: $35 MOAPPP members/$70 non-members
Cost for Practical Tips: $25 MOAPPP members/$60 non-members

For more information and to register for one or both of these trainings, see the flyer and registration form. Registration scholarships are available. Questions? Contact Sue at 651 644-1447 x15 or [email protected].

February 19, 2010
Safer Choices: Training of School Teams

8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Webster Open Elementary School
425 NE 5th Street, Minneapolis

Join MOAPPP for a free learning session about this unique, school-wide approach to adolescent pregnancy prevention. The Safer Choices curriculum is designed for school settings and features five components: School Organization, Curriculum and Staff Development, Peer Resources and School Environment, Parent Education, and School-Community Linkages. Whether you work for a school, community-based agency, faith institution or other youth-serving organization, come find out if Safer Choices might be the program for you! For more information and to register, see the flyer and registration form (PDF). Click here to register online. Questions? Contact Jill at 651-644-1447 x18, [email protected].

March 8-9, 2010
It’s That Easy! Helping Parents Raise Sexually Healthy Children
Designed for Hmong community professionals

8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Northern Service Center
1 Mendota Road West, West St. Paul

Are you a Hmong community professional? If you work with Hmong families of children 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 manual, a comprehensive guide designed to help you work with parents in your community.

For more information, see the flyer and registration form (PDF). Click here to register online. Questions? Contact Jocelyn Broyles at 651-644-1447 x19, [email protected]. Scholarships are available.

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 Department of Health, Teen Age Medical Service, West Suburban Teen Clinic, Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota International Health Volunteers.

March 23-25, 2010
Safer Choices: Training of Educators
NOTE: CHANGE OF DATE

8:30 – 4:30 p.m., March 23 & 24
8:30 – 12:00 p.m., March 25
Minnesota Department of Education
1500 Highway 36 West, Roseville

Safer Choices is an evidence-based curriculum taught over two consecutive years, 10 lessons in Year One (Level One) and 10 lessons in Year Two (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 x18, [email protected].

Coalition for Responsible Sex Ed Events

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 2009. For additional information, visit www.coalitionforsexed.org.

January 26, 2010
Coalition for Responsible Sex Ed – Annual Meeting and Caucus Training

11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Chapel Classroom, Carlton College
100 South College Street, Northfield

Caucuses are coming up on Tuesday, February 2. Make sure your voice is heard. Attend this meeting for an update on the political landscape of sex ed. You’ll also learn the basics about the caucus process and how to introduce a sex ed resolution. Please join us for this FREE event. Register here by Monday, January 25. Questions? Contact Lorie at [email protected] or at 651-644-1447 x12. A copy of the sex ed resolution is available here to download.

January 27, 2010
Coalition for Responsible Sex Ed – Annual Meeting and Caucus Training

9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Sabathani Community Center
310 East 38th Street, Minneapolis

March 24, 2010
Youth Lobby Day

Minnesota State Capitol
75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul

This FREE event for youth will focus on being an effective advocate in the legislative process and issues surrounding responsible sex ed and minors’ access to confidential care in Minnesota. Minnesota youth will gather at the Capitol to send a message to legislators about the urgent need for a sex ed statute in Minnesota. To register, click here. Questions? Contact Lorie at [email protected] or 651-644-1447 x12.

Learn more about the Coalition at www.coalitionforsexed.org. Find organizational members here. Join as an individual or as an organization here.

Other Events

Various Dates
Cultural Proficiency Workshops

St. Paul

For over 110 years, Neighborhood House has been helping people, families and organizations develop the skills, knowledge and confidence to thrive in diverse communities. We share what we have learned in our Cultural Proficiency Workshops. Our presenters are deeply immersed in their native and American cultures and share their personal experiences and the experiences of their community. Learn about Somali, Latino and Hmong cultures. For more information, visit the Neighborhood House website.