MOAPPP April 2005 E-Monthly

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MOAPPP Annual Awards

Each year, MOAPPP honors individuals, agencies, policy makers and programs that make outstanding contributions in the areas of adolescent pregnancy prevention and parenting in Minnesota. The awards are presented at the MOAPPP annual conference on May 6, 2005. MOAPPP currently seeks nominations for the award recipients. Please let us know about individuals, agencies, and programs you work with that deserve to be recognized by their peers. With your help, we can honor the remarkable efforts going on throughout the state. Please go to the MOAPPP Annual Awards page for a full description of the awards and the categories in which they are distributed, as well as a nomination form.

Please send nominations to Brigid Riley at [email protected] or via fax at 651-644-1417 by April 15, 2005.

May 5-6, 2005
MOAPPP’s 14th Annual Conference

Earle Brown Heritage Center
Brooklyn Center, MN

MOAPPP April 2005 E-Monthly

 

Friday, May 6, 2005
MOAPPP Strategic Plan Members’ Facilitated Discussion

7:30 – 8:30 a.m.
Earle Browne Heritage Center, Brooklyn Center

As part of MOAPPP’s Annual Membership Meeting (May 6, 2005, 7:30 a.m., conference site), members are invited to participate in a facilitated discussion about MOAPPP’s strategic plan. Please join us to offer your thoughts and ideas about what MOAPPP does well, and ideas for the future.

In the News

May is Teen Pregnancy Awareness Month

Across the state of Minnesota and throughout the nation, May is Teen Pregnancy Awareness Month. We need to stay focused on what works to support adolescent health and May is an opportunity to promote these efforts. MOAPPP helps support your May Teen Pregnancy Awareness Month outreach with information, resources and ideas on our website. National resources are also available to support your efforts. Whatever you do, remember: be creative, promote what works, involve youth, and have fun!

MOAPPP’s Teen Pregnancy Awareness Month page

National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy: National Day Quiz May 4, 2005

Advocates for Youth: National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month Planning Guidebook (PDF)

2005 Legislative Update

  • Comprehensive Family Life and Sexuality Education Bill (SF 878, HF 1301)
    The Senate Education committee heard this bill on March 31, 2005. Testimony in support of this bill was provided by MOAPPP, a parent from Edina, and a teen from St. Paul’s Westside. The MN Family Council testified in opposition to this bill citing a recent Heritage Foundation “study” claiming, “this bill goes far beyond what was understood as sex education.” Bill author, Senator Sandy Pappas, amended and changed SF 878 to reflect the language of the “shadow” bill, SF 1262 authored by Senator Bob Kierlin. The Education committee did not vote on the bill, but laid the bill over for consideration of inclusion in the Education Omnibus bill. The audio for this hearing can be heard online. For more on SF 878/HF1301.
  • Bill to Repeal Minors’ Consent Law (HF1921)
    HF 1921 was heard in the House Health Policy and Finance committee on March 29, 2005. MOAPPP and the Sexuality Education for Life Coalition, along with the MN Public Health Association (MPHA) and 17 other organizations submitted a letter to committee members in opposition of HF1921. The Minneapolis Department of Health and Family Support (MDHFS) testified in opposition to the bill and shared a research brief compiled recently by MDHFS. The brief estimates the annual cost of requiring parental consent to minors for reproductive health services in Minnesota to be $11 million. HF 1921 passed out of committee and was sent to the General Register. Currently, there is no Senate companion bill. The audio for this hearing can be heard online. For more on HF1921.
  • Pregnancy Prevention Initiatives (SF 581, HF 646)
    A hearing for SF 581 occurred on April 5, 2005 in the Senate Education committee. Bill author, Senator John Marty, agreed to amend the bill and separate different components of the bill. Language that supports family planning and after-school enrichment programs remained in SF 581 and was passed out of committee and re-referred to the Senate Finance committee. Language that supports comprehensive sex education and regional training sites were separated and laid over for consideration of inclusion in the Education Omnibus bill. The video for this hearing can be viewed online. For more updates on SF 581.

Potential Adverse Consequences and Estimated Economic Costs of Requiring Parental Consent in Order for Minors to Access Reproductive Health Services in Minnesota

The Minneapolis Department of Health and Family Support (MDHFS) recently released a research brief that discusses the potential adverse consequences and financial impact of repealing the Minnesota Statute that guarantees minors the right to confidential reproductive health care. The brief estimates the annual cost of requiring parental consent to minors for reproductive health services in Minnesota to be $11 million, which includes an additional 1,235 teen pregnancies, 888 births and 349 abortions among minors.

For more information contact: Dave Johnson, 612.673.3948, or Pat Harrison, 612.673.3883b

The U.S. Government Must Meet the Needs of All American Families

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has launched a new website: www.4parents.gov. This website states that it is intended to help parents and caregivers talk to young people about sex and relationships, but it falls far short of this goal and instead uses fear, censorship, and ideology to divide American families. In addition to providing inaccurate information, the website fails to address the real needs of families, especially parents of youth who may be sexually active, youth who have been or are being sexually abused, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth.

Let HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt, know that Families Are Speaking Out! About 4parents.gov! Send Secretary Leavitt a message: go to www.familiesaretalking.org and click on Take Action!

New Study: Many Teens Who Take ‘Virginity Pledges’ Substitute Other High-Risk Behavior for Intercourse

Because pledgers typically delayed sexual activity, had fewer sexual partners and married earlier than nonpledgers, the researchers “looked for explanations” as to why the differences in STD rates were not statistically significant. The gap between pledgers and nonpledgers for high-risk behavior was statistically significant, with 2% of virgins who did not pledge reporting engaging in anal or oral sex, compared with 13% of those who did pledge. Read the full article.

State Profiles: A Portrait of Sexuality Education and Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Programs in the States (2004)

The Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS) released the second edition of this resource, which includes profiles of the status of each state’s sex education programs in fiscal year 2004. The report also includes information on state laws, proposed legislation and recent events related to sex education in each state. View State Profiles.

Youth Assets and Sexual Risk Behavior: The Importance of Assets for Youth Residing in One-Parent Households

Teens living in one-parent households are more likely than their peers in two-parent households to engage in risky sexual behaviors. However, they may also benefit from social supports more than teens living with two parents do, according to by Roy F. Oman et al. The authors suggest that interventions that focus on building positive peer role models, aspirations for the future, family communication and good health practices could most effectively reduce sexual risk among youth in single-parent households. View the article.

New updates from Kaiser Network Daily Reports

  • U.S. Teenagers View Oral Sex as Less Risky Than Intercourse, Say Oral Sex Not Really Sex
  • Wisconsin Family Planning Program Saved State $3.3M by Preventing Unplanned Pregnancies
  • Teen Boys With Little Condom Use Knowledge, High Confidence Least Likely To Use Condoms
  • English-Speaking Hispanic Teens More Likely To Be Sexually Active Than Spanish-Speaking

New Publication: To Have and To Hold: Congressional Vows on Marriage and Sex

The Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) posted this new publication by Jodie Levin-Epstein (PDF). This paper discusses what the government has already done to promote abstinence-unless-married programs and marriage, and what it proposes to do with the reauthorization of the welfare law. The article discusses the relationship between marriage and pregnancy prevention, including research findings on the influence of childbearing on marriage. It concludes with welfare reauthorization recommendations for Congress. A condensed version of this paper appears in the April 1, 2005, SIECUS Report, Vol. 33, No. 1.

SIECUS’ Culturally Competent HIV Prevention and Sexuality Education Self-Guided Training Module

SIECUS has developed a self-guided training module for education and health professionals, Culturally Competent HIV Prevention and Sexuality Education. This training module is a Power Point presentation that includes information and ideas about culture, as well as opportunities for participants to brainstorm ideas, reflect on personal experiences, and develop next steps. In addition, SIECUS has created a training guide that participants can print and use to follow the presentation. The training guide provides space for participants to answer questions, jot down ideas, and record ways in which they will apply what they’ve learned. You can view the self-guided training module and training guide online.

New Report: Balancing Worlds: Voices of Adolescents: Findings from Focus Groups with Teenagers in Communities of Color and the American Indian Community

This report provides the unusual opportunity for gaining insight into the thoughts and feelings of young people about health information collected about them and their peers. The voices and views of Twin Cities young people – males and females – bring this report to life. Download report (PDF)

Teen Parent Resource

The Minnesota Children’s Museum has programs especially designed for adolescent parents and their children. View program details. (PDF)

New Research Brief on Hispanic Adolescent’s Reproductive Health Behaviors

New Child Trends research brief “Hispanic Teen Pregnancy and Birth Rates: Looking Behind the Numbers” combines findings from recently collected data with new analyses of data from the 1990s to draw a picture of the reproductive and relationship behaviors and outcomes of Hispanic adolescents. Information is provided on pregnancies, births, sex, relationships, and contraception. Implications for policy and practice and conclusion are also presented. See the press release for more information.

New Statistics and Data

  • 2003 U.S. and MN Teen Birth Data. Facts At A Glance. Child Trends’ annual statistical newsletter on teen childbearing and related issues. (PDF)
  • Pregnancy, Birth and Abortion Rates for Teenagers aged 15-17 years, 1976-2003. MMWR, Feb 4, 2005 QuickStats
  • Primary Contraceptive Methods among Women aged 15-44, 2002. MMWR, Feb 18, 2005 QuickStats
  • US Teenage Pregnancy Statistics: Overall trends, trends by race and ethnicity and state-by-state information. Alan Guttmacher Institute, Feb 19, 2005 (PDF)

 

MOAPPP Events

April 27, 2005
Camp Out for Comprehensive Sex Ed

At the end of April, Minnesota’s legislators will be hunkering down for long, grueling floor sessions to hammer out the details of the big “omnibus” budget bills. It makes for a perfect time to Camp Out for Comprehensive Sex Ed. Teens, parents, educators, and people who value medically accurate, comprehensive sex education can call upon their legislators to support comp sex ed in schools and minors’ rights to confidential health care. Camp Out for Comp Sex Ed is being coordinated in partnership with the MN AIDS Project and the Sexuality Education for Life-Minnesota Coalition. For more information contact the .

May 12, 2005
An Evening of HOT Music at the Dakota!

6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Dakota Jazz Club and Restaurant
1010 Nicollet Minneapolis, MN

A buffet dinner and beverages will be served. Vocalist Bruce Henry and his jazz ensemble will provide the entertainment. Don’t miss this very special evening: great food, great music and all for a great cause! Individual tickets $100 ($50 tax deductible). For further information please contact Lisa Weisman (651) 644-1447 x16 or email [email protected]. You can also purchase tickets online.

 

Other Events

March – May, 2005
Presenting, Pondering and Planning with Minnesota Student Survey Data

There will be eight day-long regional workshops, late March through early May, to build your capacity to think about the Minnesota Student Survey, present data to your local community, and incorporate what you’ve learned into your prevention planning and needs assessment work. Workshop cost is $20, which covers lunch and all materials. To register, please visit www.emprc.org/springforums. For registration questions, please call Debra at the Minnesota Prevention Resource Center (763.427.5310 or 800.782.1878 extension 156). For content questions, please call Heather at the MN Dept. of Education (651.582.8452).

April 6 & 11, 2005
HIV/STI’s: What Everyone Needs to Know

MN Department of Education Workshop
MDH- Snelling Office Park, St. Paul, MN (6th)
Holiday Inn, Bemidji (11th)
8:30-3:00 pm
Cost: $15

Lunch and substitute teacher reimbursement provided. Register online at www.mnschoolhealth.com or call Ann at 651-582-8352.

April 11-12, 2005
2005 MN Conference on Adolescent Females

Four Points Sheraton
St. Paul, MN

Girls Becoming Women: Igniting the Power Within. For more information, go to www.mngirls.org.

April 12, 2005
Safe Schools for Sexual Minority Youth workshop

MN Department of Education Workshop
Sawmill Inn, Grand Rapids, MN
8:30-3:00 pm
Cost: $25

Lunch and substitute teacher reimbursement provided. Register online at www.mnschoolhealth.com or call Ann at 651-582-8352.

April 11-13, 2005
Responding to the Challenge: Meeting the Unique Needs of Younger Adolescents

Hotel Santa Fe
Sante Fe, New Mexico

For more information, go to www.cicatelli.org/TitleX/conferences.htm

April 13, 2005
The Role of Social Capitol in Pregnancy Prevention Among Latina Youth

12 noon – 1:00 pm
University of Minnesota – East Bank Campus
Mayo Memorial Building, Todd Amphitheatre, Second floor, Room C231
(This lecture is free and open to the public)

Dr. Brindis, a nationally recognized adolescent health and health policy researcher will share her work on “The Protective Role of Social Capitol and Cultural Norms in Latino Communities: A Study of Adolescent Births.” The study investigates how community characteristics can protect adolescents from the negative effects of poverty and health risks. The findings ultimately recommend community building focused on strengthening informal social networks and supporting protective cultural norms. For more information see program flier. (PDF)

April 15 & 16, 2005
Make a Friend, Make a Difference

Children’s Home Society & Family services, in collaboration with Health Start, is looking for volunteers interested in becoming a “Befriender”. A Befrender is a volunteer who provides services and support as a mentor to young mothers. Spring training is scheduled for April 15 & 16, 2005. For more information contact Volunteer services at (651) 255-2323 or via email at

April 18, 2005
Geared for Growth®

A one-day training that enhances participants’ ability to provide services to families using a relationship-based approach. Practice principles are explored within the context of current attachment, child development, and infant mental health research. Geared for Growth® is targeted to a wide range of professionals (including teen parent providers) who work with children 0-5 and their families This training is sponsored by St. David’s Child Development and Family Services, Hennepin County Medical Center, The Children, Youth & Family Consortium, and The Irving B. Harris Training Center for Infant and Toddler Development. For more information go to the Geared for Growth website.

April 19, 2005
Safe Schools for Sexual Minority Youth workshop

MN Department of Education Workshop
Holiday Inn, County Rd E in Arden Hills
Cost: $25

Lunch and substitute teacher reimbursement provided. Register online at www.mnschoolhealth.com or call Ann at 651-582-8352.

May 4, 2005
The National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy

May 4, 2005 marks the fourth annual National Campaign’s Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. On the National Day teens are asked to go online and take a fun, engaging quiz that presents them with several real life scenarios involving sex and asks them to choose a course of action. Want to participate? Log on to www.teenpregnancy.org for more information about National Day, and to purchase National Day materials, such as buttons, pens, and temporary tattoos! Supplies are limited and going fast.

May 7, 2005
Mother Daughter Retreat

Planned Parenthood is offering its annual day-long spring retreat for a mother or mentor and 10-12 year old daughter. “Making the Connections: A Day of Discovery for Mothers and Daughters” on Saturday, May 7th. Through indoor and outdoor activities, this day provides an opportunity for mothers and daughters to learn and play together, to communicate and connect, while exploring puberty, healthy sexuality and being female. For registration information, please call the Education Information Line at 612-821-6198 or go to their website.

May 19-21, 2005
Parent Education Institute V – Charting Our Future

Continuing Education Center
University of Minnesota – Saint Paul Campus
Pre-Institute Workshops – Thursday, May 19
Institute – Friday, May 20 & Saturday, May 21

This institute is designed for parent education professionals to advance their learning and to define strategies to strengthen the future of parent education. For more information: www.mcfr.net or 651-407-0950.