February 2010
The rare young person seems like an ‘old soul,’ an individual with wisdom, intuition and foresight beyond his years. But most are living right here and now, feeling each moment of the day intensely and struggling to make sense of a life that’s just beginning to be lived.
–Kathleen Kimball-Baker
In the News
Is Teen Parenting Really Such a Bad Thing?
For an interesting perspective on teen parenting from the UK, click here.
Announcements
Do You Now, Or Have You Ever Considered, Providing Support And Education to Young Fathers?
Plan to attend MOAPPP’s Pre-Conference Institute: What About Those Teen Dads?
May 5, 2010
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
We will provide you with information you can use to get started and to sustain a quality program. Hector Sanchez-Flores, Senior Research Associate for the Center for Reproductive Health Research and Policy National Adolescent Health Information Center at the University of California San Francisco, will be among those offering guidance and practical tips in your work to meet the needs of Minnesota young fathers and their children. A networking reception will end the day. Scholarships will be available. Presented by MOAPPP and Minnesota Young Fathers Action Collaborative (MYFAC). Registration information will be available soon at MOAPPP.org.
2010 Youth Lobby Day – March 24
The Coalition for Responsible Sex Ed 2010 Youth Lobby Day is right around the corner. We have had an excellent turn out in years past and need your help to make this year’s Youth Lobby Day an even bigger hit.
We’re still fighting to get responsible sex ed in Minnesota’s schools and would need your voice at the capitol on Wednesday, March 24, 2010. Your day at the capitol will include information about how to talk to your legislators, facts on responsible sex ed, and a fun and energetic rally in the Capitol Rotunda. The entire event is completely free and includes lunch on us. We’re looking for youth age 14-22 and their adult leaders/mentors.
To register, click here. Questions? Contact Amanda Jansen at [email protected]. Don’t forget to become a fan of the Coalition for Responsible Sex Ed on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @CRSEMinnesota!
Attention Young Filmmakers: Tell MOAPPP What It Means To Be a Healthy Young Person
Here’s an opportunity for young people, ages 13 to 24, to create and submit video public service announcements to MOAPPP that respond to the question: “what does it mean to be a healthy young person today?” All entries must be received by March 31, 2010. For full details on what to submit and how, refer to the flyer (PDF).
February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month!
The repercussions of teen dating violence are impossible to ignore—the issue affects not just youth but their families, schools and communities as well. Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (TDVAM) brings national focus to the issue of teen dating violence, highlights the need to educate our youth about healthy relationships, raises awareness among those who care for them and provides communities with a critical opportunity to work together to prevent this devastating cycle of abuse. Visit this teen dating violence prevention website for more information.
In addition, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is sponsoring a community forum and would like to hear from you. From February 22 through March 5, they invite you to share your best thinking in an important discussion about healthy relationships to advance the field, learn from one another and find solutions to address this serious public health problem. To register, please visit the Vulnerable Populations Community Forum.
Help MFFN Find Minnesota’s Fatherhood Programs
Throughout the month of February, Minnesota Fathers & Families Network will be gathering information about fatherhood programs in the state of Minnesota. The new programs will be added to our online database and outdated information will be updated. See the existing information here. Do you know of a program that’s not currently on our list? If so, please ask the program staff to complete this brief survey or have them contact [email protected]. Those programs that serve young fathers should also be added to MOAPPP’s teen parent resource guide, so please contact Sue Fust, [email protected] as well. Thank you!
Research
Young Latino Families in Violent Relationships
During the course of this study, young Latino parents living in San Antonio, TX shared their stories. Their stories draw attention to the multiple forms of violence they experienced in the past, continue to experience and are forced to manage.
Diploma Attainment Among Teen Mothers
A new fact sheet (PDF) from Child Trends indicates that slightly more than one-half of young women who had been teen mothers received a high school diploma by the age of 22, compared with 89 percent of young women who had not given birth during their teen years.
Disclosure of Child Sexual Abuse
This study identified factors that impede or promote child sexual abuse (CSA) disclosure. Findings show that disclosure is multiply determined by a complex interplay of factors related to child characteristics, family environment, community influences, and cultural and societal attitudes. Unless barriers to disclosure are eradicated, negative effects of CSA can persist, manifesting in serious mental health issues.
Resources
- NEW: Good Enough Moms Website
- Now on DVD: The Power Source Professional Training
- Zero to Three: Month Thirteen
- Teen Dating Violence Resource
- Web Resource: Supporting Young Fathers
Mother-daughter co-hosts Marti Erickson and Erin Erickson invite you to explore with them the many facets of motherhood in today’s world—from confronting the daily joys and struggles of helping kids grow up well, to balancing work and family, to considering the big questions of how society views and values mothers and mothering. Whether you’re a new mom, an old mom or just thinking about becoming a mom, they want to hear your thoughts and stories. And, mother or not, if you care about the place of mothers in family, community and the world-at-large, they invite you to join the conversation. Visit the website, listen to the podcasts and sign up as a fan on their Facebook page.
Now on DVD: The Power Source Professional Training
The Lionheart Foundation is pleased to announce the availability of The Power Source Professional Training on DVD. This training series (on 4 DVDs) was developed to enhance and support the effective delivery of the Power Source Program. This six-hour training on DVD brings the Power Source Professional Training directly to your facility or program. It gives organizations the opportunity to conduct a Power Source staff training at any time, review the training when most opportune and train new employees as they join the staff. It is highly cost effective and ideal for trainings, large and small. From now until March 15, 2010, the Training DVDs (Set of 4) are being offered at 1/2 price to organizations/programs on the Power Source email list. This offer will not be repeated. Click here to order.
Always a great resource, Zero to Three has a webpage dedicated to 13-month-old development and parenting issues for parents of thirteen-month-olds.
This special collection emphasizes collaborative and multi-level approaches to the prevention of and response to teen dating violence (TDV). It draws on the work of many organizations and organizes the resources on TDV prevention and responses by different populations. This special collection is limited in that it only includes documents that are freely available online. This special collection will be updated regularly, and new documents will be added as they become available. Comments, suggestions and information about documents for this special collection are welcome. This collection was developed by staff of the Minnesota Center Against Violence and Abuse in consultation with the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence.
Web Resource: Supporting Young Fathers
This resource website has a number of good documents, research publications and training materials (some are available for purchase). Developed in the UK, much of this information is pertinent to young fathers in the US as well.
Policy Action Alert
Federal Programming
The Adolescent Family Life (AFL) program, which funds demonstration projects providing care to expectant and parenting adolescents as well as research in care projects, is slated for level funding in FY 2011 at $16.658 million. This still must be approved by Congress. Call your Congressional representatives to ask for their support!
State Programming
Home visiting programs in Minnesota, supported by federal TANF dollars, may be at risk without your help. Please contact your state legislators and ask them to maintain TANF home visiting funding.
Funding
Eliminating Health Disparities Initiative (EHDI) Grants
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is soliciting proposals to close the gap in the health status of African Americans/Africans, American Indians, Asian Americans, and Hispanics/Latinos in Minnesota as compared with whites in eight priority health areas (including HIV/AIDS and sexually-transmitted diseases, immunizations for children, infant mortality and teen pregnancy) and in the social determinants of health. RFP and instructions are available here. Intent to Apply form is due March 1.
Upcoming MOAPPP Trainings
March 3, 2010
Federal Teen Pregnancy Prevention Funding Information Session
1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Conference call
Call in number: 1-866-212-0875
Passcode: 184928#
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 during two information sessions. Join staff from MOAPPP, the Healthy Youth Development Prevention Research Center and the Departments of Education and Health 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.
For handouts from this session, click here.
Visit the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy’s information page for the latest developments regarding funding. MOAPPP will also share any updates it receives via its website. Stay tuned!
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.
NEW LOCATION:
West Side Community Health Services-La Clinica
153 Cesar Chavez Street, 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 a.m. – 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].
Other Upcoming Trainings
February 24 & March 4, 2010
Promoting Infant Mental Health: Working with Families in Transition
February 24, 9 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Great River Regional Library, St. Cloud
or
March 4, 9:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Brainerd Public Llibrary
One of the challenges in promoting social and emotional development is when we work with families in transition. These include families transitioning from domestic violence shelters, homelessness and treatment. The presenter will explore concepts and strategies to support infants, toddlers and their families. The workshop will include theoretical frameworks and practical applications. For more information or to register, visit www.macmh.org or call MACMH at 651-644-7333.
February 24, 2010
Wanna Be My Friend? The Ins and Outs of Teens and Social Networking
Free WEBINAR
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Learn how teens use online social networking sites and how to help foster dialogue between them and a parent or caring adult. Learn how to encourage parents to talk to their teens about their online activities, and the benefits and challenges these sites present. Social networking can be a positive experience for youth, and caring adults can help them to act responsibly. You MUST pre-register to receive the link to the webinar. Register at www.extension.umn.edu.
March 8, April 8, April 14, April 23, 2010 – 4 dates in 4 locations
Ethical Thinking and Practice for Parent and Family Life Educators
March 8 – 9 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Mahtomedi Area Community Education
1520 Mahtomedi Avenue, Mahtomedi
April 8 – 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
University Center – Rochester
Room HA 102
863 30th Avenue SE, Rochester
April 14 – 12:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Kelly Inn
University Ball Room, St. Cloud
April 23 – 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Family Service Center, Room 4
715 – 11 Street South, Moorhead
As a family professional, you encounter complex family systems, different views about parenting and a myriad of institutions that interact with families. You make decisions and take actions daily that require you to consider the ethical implications of your practice. Chances are, you deal with ethical issues on your own and would like guidance in this emerging area of work. Offered by the Minnesota Council on Family Relations. Register at www.mcfr.net. Questions? Call 651-407-0950 or email [email protected].
April 7, 2010
Child Abuse And Neglect Prevention Conference
St. Cloud Civic Center
This year’s conference features in-depth workshops on nationally recognized strategies that participants can use in their home communities to promote the well-being of children, families and communities. Featured presenters include Prevent Child Abuse America President Jim Hmurovich, the “Good Enough Moms” Marti Erickson and Erin Erickson Garner, Cordelia Anderson, Casa de Esperanza’s Ambar Cristina Hanson and Olga Trujillo, and more! Visit www.pcamn.org for full information and to register as a participant or an exhibitor. Don’t miss this chance to be part of raising spirits, inciting hope and encouraging action for thriving Minnesota communities!
May 12, 2010
2010 Harris Forum Lecture: Child-Parent Psychotherapy In A Cultural Context
1:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Coffman Memorial Union, U of M East Bank, Minneapolis
ITV sites throughout Minnesota
This year’s forum lecture speaker is Alicia F. Lieberman, PhD, Director of the Child Trauma Research Project at San Francisco General Hospital as well as the Irving B. Harris Chair in Infant Mental Health and Vice Chair for Academic Affairs at the UCSF Department of Psychiatry. She is a clinical consultant with the San Francisco Human Services Agency and is active in major national organizations involved with mental health in infancy and early childhood. Free Event—Pre-Registration is Requested by Wednesday, 5/5/10. For more information about the Harris Forum and to register for the in-person or ITV locations, click here. Questions? Contact Sara Zettervall at 612-625-2252 or [email protected].
For more resources and information about adolescent parents, visit the Adolescent Parent Program page on the MOAPPP website.