MOAPPP Adolescent Parent ENews

January 2010

Parents don’t make mistakes because they don’t care, but because they care so deeply.
–T. Berry Brazelton

Announcements

Teen Parent Connection Networking Groups Starting Up in Washington and Ramsey Counties

MOAPPP is facilitating the start-up of two new Teen Parent Connection groups where professionals working with teen parents in Washington and Ramsey counties can get together to discuss resources and issues and offer support to one another. Similar groups are already operating in Minneapolis, NW Hennepin County, and Dakota County. If you are interested in participating, please contact Sue Fust, [email protected]. We hope to hold the first meetings in late February (date and time TBD).

Attend the 19th Annual MOAPPP Conference because…

This year’s conference includes a pre-conference day for programs working with teen mothers—all about how to include teen fathers in your programming!
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.
Three highly respected and charismatic keynote speakers will 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.

Research

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

The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy just released this report with data on the ‘disconnect’ between 20-somethings’ beliefs about sexuality and their level of knowledge and actual practices.

Childhood Sexual Abuse Can Predict Birth-Related Posttraumatic Stress and Postpartum Posttraumatic Stress

This Israeli study found that childhood sexual abuse is a traumatic event that has greater negative long-term effects on pregnant women than other traumas. Women who had experienced childhood sexual abuse had higher levels of post-traumatic stress symptoms and dissociation before and following childbirth compared to women who reported experiencing other trauma than childhood sexual abuse or a trauma-free history. The current study also confirmed that birth-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was higher among childhood sexual abuse survivors.

Resources

MTV’s 16 and Pregnant on DVD for Free

In partnership with MTV, The National Campaign is pleased to offer the entire first season of the popular documentary series “16 and Pregnant” on DVD for free (shipping and handling charges apply – $9.95 per pack of 1). Each of the six episodes on this disc follow a 5-7 month period in the life of a teenager as she navigates the bumpy terrain of adolescence, growing pains, rebellion and coming of age-all while dealing with being pregnant.

These stories offer a unique look into the wide variety of challenges pregnant teens face: marriage, adoption, religion, gossip, finances, rumors among the community, graduating from high school and getting (or losing) a job. Challenged by incredibly adult decisions, these girls and boys are forced to sacrifice their teenage years and their high school experiences. The lessons they learn through these very adult situations serve as guideposts for all youth if they were to face similar circumstances.

Each DVD comes with a discussion guide covering all of the episodes and a fact sheet that can be easily reproduced for classroom discussions. This product can also be purchased in packs of three and packs of five.

Minnesota’s Child Development and Parenting Information on Facebook and Twitter

Because more and more people are receiving information from social media these days, the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) recently joined the social media movement by establishing a Facebook page and a Twitter account. They are using these tools to complement their other communication efforts such as the Minnesota parent website, periodic listserv distribution and the regular Early Learning Services information on the Minnesota Department of Education web pages. They encourage everyone interested in child development, early childhood education and parenting topics in Minnesota to become a “fan” of their Facebook page and a “follower” of their Twitter account. Users can follow Twitter updates at MnDeptEd. Also, visit YouTube for Department videos. Please share this information with families in your programs and other community partners so they can have up-to-date access to research-based parenting and child development information, videos, podcasts and other web-based topics.

The Foundation of Family Cards Series

Three powerful resources to help new parents understand and meet the emotional needs of their babies and toddlers. The Foundations of a Family series is designed as a curriculum for teaching nurturing skills to new parents and written at an elementary reading level for easy comprehension. Each card is designed as a keepsake for framing or saving.

The Promise Card is a powerful resource for encouraging family investiture in a newborn. The card focuses concretely on the development of an emotionally rich bond between parents and their newborn—the first vital step in the prevention of abuse.

The Nurturing Cards describe in simple, concrete terms the powerful impact parents have on their babies in their everyday care taking and can help parents gain an understanding of the many ways they can act daily to build an emotionally strong relationship with their baby. The Nurturing Cards address topics under the headings: Remembering, Holding, Learning, Playing, Teaching, Talking, and Listening.

The Growing Cards offer advocates the means for an on-going discussion about the emotional development of toddlers and how it relates to their behavior. The cards give parents specific ideas as well as support for dealing with the challenges of the toddler years: separation anxiety, independence, assertion, fears and building self-esteem.

Encouraging Teens to Breastfeed – Video from InJoy

Better Breastfeeding: A Guide for Teen Parents is a 25 minute video available in English or Spanish.

Zero to Three: From Baby to Big Kid: Month 12

Information for parents about development between 12 and 15 months.

Minnesota Dentists Provide Free Care for Kids February 5-6

For the eighth consecutive year, Minnesota dentists are providing free dental care to low income children February 5 and 6. The Minnesota Dental Association is sponsoring the outreach. The free care will be offered at nearly 200 locations statewide. Organizers say 3,000 appointment slots are available and they hope to raise that to 5,000. Dr. Robert Templeton, president of the association, says volunteer dentists are trying to close the gap at a time when government programs for families have been cut. The Give Kids a Smile program is open to patients under age 18. Appointments can be made by calling United Way at 211 or the statewide toll-free number, 800-543-7709. For more information and a list of participating clinics, visit www.mndental.org.

Policy

MOAPPP’s 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!

Upcoming MOAPPP Trainings

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].

For more resources and information about adolescent parents, visit the Adolescent Parent Program page on the MOAPPP website.