MOAPPP September 2009 E-Monthly

Last Chance this Fiscal Year to Become a MOAPPP Member

September is the last month of MOAPPP’s fiscal year, and we continue to seek new and renewing members. MOAPPP members benefit from:

reduced rates at MOAPPP’s conference and trainings
access to MOAPPP’s library
reviews of recommended sexual health curricula
a comprehensive online events calendar
subscriptions to MOAPPP’s newsletters
inclusion in public policy and advocacy initiatives

Visit our Membership page to join the MOAPPP network today!

Easy Way to Support MOAPPP

Come to the MOAPPP website, then click on the Amazon.com link in the left-hand column. If you enter Amazon.com through MOAPPP, Minnesota teens benefit. How? Because MOAPPP receives a percentage of all Amazon.com purchases that originate with MOAPPP. You can even bookmark the site for easy future reference!

This is a great time to try it out—for back-to-school book lists, new book group selections, fall wedding gifts. This is a year-round promotion so always start at MOAPPP’s website when shopping at Amazon.com!

MOAPPP Seeks Adolescent Sexual Health Data Intern

MOAPPP is hiring an intern for October – December 2009, with an option to renew from January – July 2010. The primary function of this internship is to increase dissemination and use of science-based information and resources regarding adolescent reproductive health. For more information, see the full job description (PDF).

Federal Policy Update – Initiatives to Promote Adolescent Sexual Health

In this issue of Update, the newsletter for the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, you will find a summary (PDF) of President Obama’s budget proposal items that have passed the House of Representatives and are headed to the Senate.

Health Care Reform – What Adolescents Need

Since 1990, adolescent pregnancy and birth rates have decreased significantly in Minnesota. But in 2006 and 2007, teen pregnancy and birth rates increased for the first time in 14 years. Recent research indicates that these increased rates are due to less contraceptive use. As the health care reform debate goes on, it is important that the health needs of adolescents be incorporated into reform efforts.

The Society for Adolescent Medicine Policy recently released a position paper titled “Health Care Reform and Adolescents – An Agenda for the Lifespan” identifying five principles of health care reform in the interest of adolescents. Read the full position paper (PDF).

You Are Invited to Become a 2009 Let’s Talk Month Partner!

Let’s Talk Month is only a month away! We encourage you to promote LTM’s key message that parents are their children’s primary sexual health educators. For more information about what it means to be a LTM partner, as well as how to sign up, visit the updated LTM page of the MOAPPP website. Become a partner and MOAPPP will promote your organization’s LTM event in the LTM calendar. Register today!

Resources for Parent Educators

Check the MOAPPP website soon for our new Resources for Parent Educators section!

MOAPPP is on Facebook!

Check out MOAPPP’s Facebook page for the latest updates on adolescent sexual health and parenting.

Need to Make a Donation to a Workplace Giving Campaign? Designate MOAPPP to Receive the Gift!

If you participate in a giving campaign at your workplace that operates in partnership with one of the following “charitable federations,” you may designate all or part of your donation to MOAPPP!

The Minnesota State Employees’ Combined Charities Campaign
Community Health Charities Minnesota
Community Shares of Minnesota
United Way – Greater Twin Cities; Becker County; Carlton County; Caring Rivers; Crow Wing; Faribault; Hastings; Heart of the Lakes; Hibbing; Morrison County; New Ulm; Northeast Minnesota; Olmsted County; Red Wing; St. Croix

MOAPPP’s Federal Identification Number (EIN) is 41-1722338. Thank you!

QUESTIONS? Contact Julie Schultz Brown at [email protected], 651-644-1447 x16 or contact the charitable federation your workplace uses and ask how you can “designate” the charity of your choice.

Other Announcements

October 15, 2009 is National Latino AIDS Awareness Day (NLAAD)

Latino Commission on AIDS is currently taking registrations for this year’s campaign to keep practitioners up-to-date on new themes, posters and other resources for NLAAD 2009 at www.nlaad.org. For questions about the national activities and resources, please contact: Liliana Rañón, 212-675-3288 x315, or by e-mail at: [email protected].

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; or e-mail at: [email protected].

Home Visiting Coalition Seeks Members

A grassroots coalition of groups doing home visiting throughout the state has been meeting on a quarterly basis to explore ways to secure stable sources of public and private funding so targeted, intensive home visiting is available statewide for parents of greatest need—including teen parents—on a voluntary basis. The coalition intends to work together to:

preserve current state funding;
make the case for expanded state funding;
enhance the availability of health plan coverage for home visiting;
and position Minnesota for increased federal funding for home visiting.

If you are interested in joining the coalition, first review the job description (PDF) and a fact sheet on home visiting. Then contact Sheila Kiscaden, Coalition Consultant: 507-287-6845, [email protected].

For Youth

Minneapolis Youth Congress Seeks New Members
Apply by September 7th

The Minneapolis Youth Congress (MYC) is a representative body of youth that has authentic power and influence in decisions and policies relevant to youth, and that works in collaboration with elected officials focusing on a common understanding of the welfare of the youth in the City of Minneapolis. MYC is currently recruiting for the 2009-2010 session, looking for youth who have a passion for the community, a voice that needs to be heard and are emerging leaders in our city. Contact Pam McBride, [email protected] to apply.

In the News

House Zeroes Out Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Funding

Following President Obama’s lead, the House voted to end years of funding for ineffective programs. Just prior to the August recess, the Senate Appropriations Committee took a similar stance. To read more, visit www.siecus.org.

Senate Appropriations Bill Recommends Creation of Office of Adolescent Health

The Senate Appropriations bill recommends an Office of Adolescent Health to be developed and housed within the Office of Public Health and Science. This office will have a more comprehensive approach to adolescent health and be responsible for coordinating activities across government agencies. Read the entire text of the bill here.

Large U.S. Cities Vary Widely in Teen Births

The 2009 edition of Child Trends’ annual Facts at a Glance contains teen birth data for 73 of the largest cities in the U.S. (PDF). Among the findings:

Minneapolis decreased its teen birth rate from 14% to 9% between 1991 and 2006; St. Paul’s rate stayed about the same (13% in 1991; 12% in 2006). Minnesota’s rate as a whole was 7% in 2006, the 10th best rate in the country.

The report also includes data by city on the percentage of teen births that are repeat births (PDF) (two or more births to teen mothers):

St. Paul has the 7th highest rate of repeat births to teens in the country at 25%. Minneapolis is somewhat lower at 21%. Minnesota as a whole has a rate of 17%

The report, which is based primarily on Child Trends’ analyses of data from the National Center for Health Statistics, also includes national and state-level trends in teen childbearing. City-level data are from 2006, the most recent year for which such data are available.

Youth in Foster Care and the Pregnancy “Epidemic”

Time magazine’s Amy Sullivan focuses her attention on foster care in a July issue with her piece, “Teen Pregnancy: Reaching Epidemic Levels in Foster Care” (PDF).

New Resources

Unlocking the Contraception Conundrum

This report provides a detailed summary of what is known from scientific literature about contraceptive use among young adults in the United States. The publication explores such topics as the theoretical framework for analyzing contraceptive behavior, switching between methods of contraception, and program design. Dr. Jaccard also makes specific recommendations about policy and practice. Copies are available for download at www.thenationalcampaign.org.

New Research

School-Based Relationships Curricula Work to Prevent Dating Violence and Increase Condom Use

A recent study demonstrated that the teaching of all 9th graders in a school district about healthy relationships as part of their required health curriculum reduced physical dating violence and increased condom use 2.5 years later at a low per-student cost.

New Teen Moms Are Better at Using Effective Birth Control than Are Older New Moms

A study published by the CDC indicates that women under 20 are generally using effective birth control methods up to nine months after giving birth. In fact, teen rates are better than rates for older postpartum women.

Young Women’s Attitudes Toward the Vaginal Ring and Transdermal Patch

This study examined young women’s attitudes and perceptions about the ring and the patch to better understand the relationship between perceptions of these methods and decisions to use them. Researchers found two related themes for the ring and the patch: “lack of trust in effectiveness,” and “method use concerns.” Two themes unique to the ring and three themes unique to the patch were identified. The authors conclude that increased provider education about apprehensions related to the ring and the patch may lead to increased use of the ring and may counter recent declines in use of the patch. Read the abstract here.

Distress May Be Pre-Existing Condition in Adolescent Moms

Adolescent mothers are more distressed than their childless peers, but their distress usually precedes their pregnancy and results from family, school, socioeconomic and other factors. Read the abstract here.

Exposure to Sexually Explicit Websites and Adolescent Sexual Attitudes and Behaviors

Media plays an important role in the socialization or youth, however, the extent of the Internet’s impact on adolescent sexual attitudes and behaviors is not yet known. This study assessed Internet accessibility, exposure to sexually explicit web sites (SEWs), sexual behaviors, and sexually permissive attitudes. Researchers found that adolescents who visit SEWs had more sexual partners and increased likelihood of substance use. The authors note that SEWs can serve an educational purpose and create an opportunity for adults to engage adolescents in discussions about sexual health and consumption of Internet material. Read the abstract here.

“I’m Not Going to Be a Girl”: Boys’ Expectations and Assumptions About Masculinity

This study examines the peer relations and emotion practices of adolescent boys in light of their expectations and assumptions about masculinity. The study points out that securing masculinity demands ongoing efforts from boys and their peers. Moreover, it points to feeling rules and emotion practices as important constituents of young white masculinities.

2009 KIDS COUNT Data Books Available

The 20th annual KIDS COUNT Data Book profiles the well-being of America’s children on a state-by-state basis and ranks states on 10 key measures of child well-being. The Data Book essay calls for a “data revolution” that uses timely and reliable information to track the progress and improve the lives of vulnerable children.

2009 State-by-State Teen Dating Violence Report Card

Break the Cycle, a leading non profit teen dating violence prevention organization, announced the results of a report that grades each state’s laws on their ability to protect victims of teen dating violence seeking protection orders against their abusers. Only a handful of states have responded to teen dating violence with laws enabling the youthful victims to obtain protection orders on equal terms with adults. Click here for findings. View Minnesota’s report card (PDF).

MOAPPP Events

September 15, 2009
Minnesota Reproductive Health Update

8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
University of Minnesota Continuing Education and Conference Center
1890 Buford Ave, St Paul

This training provides the latest information in reproductive health practice, research, and technology. Specialists in the field will address contraceptive technologies, updates on STI/HIV and emergency contraception, domestic violence screening, family planning and the environment, and issues in sexual health for special populations. This workshop is designed for nurses, clinicians, health educators, and anyone interested in current information on reproductive health issues. Both nursing and CHES continuing education contact hours will be offered for this training. For more information and to register, visit www.hcet.org.

Sponsored by Health Care Education and Training, Inc.
Co-sponsored by Healthy Youth Development-Prevention Research Center, Division of Adolescent Health and Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, University of Minnesota, MOAPPP and Development Systems, Inc.

September 21, 2009
Access to Education for Pregnant and Parenting Students: Title IX and Beyond

8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Minnesota Department of Education, Room CC16
1500 Highway 36 West, Roseville

This forum features Lara Kaufmann, Senior Counsel of the National Women’s Law Center. It is designed for those who develop school policies, those who implement school policies and all who work with adolescent parents. Attend this training and learn:

How the law protects access to education for pregnant and parenting students: Title IX is not just about sports!
What we know about dropout prevention—best practices
What barriers exist for pregnant and parenting students
What about the boys? Young fathers need support too
What do pregnant and parenting students need to stay in school, graduate and move on to post-secondary schools and/or job opportunities?

For more information, see the flyer and registration form (PDF). Click here to register online. Questions? Contact Lorie Alveshere at 651-644-1447 x12 or [email protected]. Registration scholarships and a limited number of travel scholarships are available.

September 23, 2009
Grant Writing Boot Camp™

9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Minnesota Department of Education Conference Center
1500 Highway 36 West, Roseville

Effective grant writing skills are essential to organizational success, but many times drain an agency’s limited resources and end in frustration. This workshop, designed for volunteers, board members and program staff is led by nationally acclaimed expert Dr. Bev Browning. Dr. Browning, author of Grant Writing for Dummies, will share her expertise on how to research and write winning corporate and foundation grant proposals.

For more information and to register, see the flyer and event registration form (PDF). Questions? Contact Jill Farris at 651-644-1447 x18 or [email protected].

This training is made possible through a collaboration with the Minnesota Department of Education.

September 24, 25, 30; October 14, 22, 27, 30 & November 5, 2009
We Can Parent Together
Tools for Engaging Fathers, Mothers and Others

September 24-Fergus Fall
September 25-Bemidji
September 30-Twin Cities Metro Area
October 14-Hermantown
October 22-Owatonna
October 27-Twin Cities Metro Area
October 30-Little Falls
November 5-Redwood Falls

All workshops from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

When parents are consistent and support each other in the task of parenting, children benefit. This workshop presents the basics and benefits of co-parenting, and offers strategies and best practices to utilize in supporting any family working to raise children in a healthy, safe environment. Specific focus will be given to the unique challenges of divorcing and never-married parents, adolescent parents, or those with substance-abuse / dependence-related concerns. This workshop is designed for professionals working with families.

Objectives:

Understand the co-parenting relationship and how it differs from the couple relationship
Learn how to implement strategies and tools to help parents improve their co-parenting relationship
Learn how to talk about the importance of fathers and how to support mothers in engaging fathers
Understand the special needs of teen parents
Assist in empowering parents with prevention strategies and tools specific to substance abuse and dependence
Understand how all the strategies presented can help prevent child abuse and neglect before it happens
Participate in the unveiling of our new web-based co-parenting toolkit for professionals and parents.

Follow this link to register. View the event brochure.

Presented by Minnesota Fathers & Families Network, Prevent Child Abuse Minnesota, Minnesota Prevention Resource Center, Minnesota Organization on Adolescent Pregnancy, Prevention and Parenting, University of Minnesota Extension and Department of Human Services Children’s Trust Fund.

September 28-29, 2009
It’s That Easy!: The Caring Adult’s Guide to Raising Sexually Healthy Children
Professional Somali Women Only Training

8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Center for Families
3333 North Fourth Street, Minneapolis

Are you a Somali woman professional? If you work with Somali 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.

October 1, 2009
Teen Pregnancy Prevention 101

9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Land Services Building
322 Laurel Street, Brainerd, MN 56401

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 event registration form (PDF). Click here to register online. Registration deadline is September 24th. Questions? Contact Lorie Alveshere at 651-644-1447 x12 or [email protected].

October 5-7, 2009
¡Cuídate!: Training of Educators

Minnesota Department of Education
1500 Highway 36 West, Roseville

¡Cuídate!—which means “take care of yourself”—is a six-session curriculum for use by school districts, faith communities and community organizations that helps youth develop the knowledge, attitudes and skills to reduce their risk for HIV. This evidence-based curriculum, designed for Latino youth ages 13-18, emphasizes risk reduction strategies such as waiting to have sex and condom use while highlighting cultural values that support safer sex, and reframing cultural values that are perceived as barriers to safer sex. In addition to the 2 ½ days of highly interactive training, each participant receives a copy of the ¡Cuídate! curriculum. For more information and to register, see the flyer and event registration form (PDF) Click here to register online. Questions? Contact Jill Farris at 651-644-1447 x18 or [email protected]. Registration scholarships and substitute teacher pay are available on a first-come first-served basis.

October 27-28, 2009
It’s That Easy: The Caring Adult’s Guide to Raising Sexually Healthy Children

8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Minneapolis Urban League
2100 Plymouth Ave North, Minneapolis

If you work with parents/caregivers 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.

October 29, 2009
Beyond Terminology: Gender Inclusive Sex Education

9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Webster Open Elementary School
425 N 5th Street, Minneapolis

Transgender and gender non-conforming students are in every classroom and every community. Sexual health education is often tied to a binary understanding of gender, rendering transgender people invisible, perpetuating health disparities, and obscuring information that applies to everyone’s sexual health. Using gender inclusive strategies is essential in providing quality sex education. This training will help participants build gender competencies in sexual health education via a deep understanding of gender, curriculum adaptations, and the larger context of access and health disparities for trans youth.

For more information and to register, see the flyer and event registration form (PDF). Click here to register online. Questions? Contact Jill Farris at 651-644-1447 x18 or [email protected].

Sponsored by Annex Teen Clinic, The Birds and Bees Project of Pro-Choice Resources, MOAPPP, Out4Good, Rainbow Health Initiative and Trans Youth Support Network.

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.

No Coalition events in September.

Other Events

September 10, 2009
…Concerning the Sexually Abused Youth

1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Lutheran Social Service
2400 Park Avenue, Minneapolis

Sexual abuse is a fact in the world of child welfare. It is often how children get into care, it can occur while they are in care and it remains an area of concern for foster, kinship and adopting families. What is the impact of such abuse on youth? How do we, as social workers and therapists, present information regarding the sexual history of children to prospective families? What are appropriate therapeutic interventions for youth of all ages who have experienced sexual abuse? What are the special concerns for youth who have perpetrated on other youth? Is there information on outcomes for youth and families? For more information or to register, visit www.mnadopt.org.

September 13-17, 2009
Great Lakes Institute for Community Health Educators (GLICHE)

Hampton Inn Downtown, Indianapolis, IN

GLICHE is an intensive five-day residential training experience for human service professionals working in sexuality, HIV/AIDS, community health and family planning education. The purpose of GLICHE is to strengthen competence and confidence by building practical skills, gaining a toolbox of new resources and networking with others in the field. For more information and to register, click here.

October 1, 2009
Fitting Families into Policies, Outcomes & Results: The Family Impact Checklist

8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. (Optional activities begin at 12:00 p.m.)
State Capitol, Meeting Room 217
75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul

The University of Minnesota’s Children, Youth and Family Consortium (CYFC), along with the Minnesota Council on Family Relations (MCFR), invites you to a training geared toward practitioners on how to use the Family Impact Checklist. The Checklist is a nonpartisan consensus tool that provides practitioners, policymakers and policy implementers with criteria to help evaluate how policies and programs are sensitive to and supportive of families. It is designed to improve the ability to assess the intended and unintended consequences of policies and programs on families. For more information or to register, visit www.cyfc.umn.edu. Space is limited.

October 2, 2009
How History Affects American Indian Family Dynamics

8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Cloquet Forestry Center, Cloquet

How do the experiences of past generations affect American Indian youth today? An understanding of the experiences of generations past can help increase one’s capacity to work effectively with young people. This conference will guide participants through an introduction to the Boarding School, Adoption and Foster Care Eras. American Indian youth, practitioners and community members will share their experiences through interactive sessions and panel discussions. A “Youth Vision” pre-conference will be held the evening of October 1 to showcase youth-driven digital media projects. Details available here (PDF). Register online here.

October 3 & October 10, 2009
Making the Connections: A Day of Discovery for Mothers and Daughters

October 3-Rochester
October 10-Twin Cities

8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Girls ages 10-12 and their mothers or female mentors are encouraged to connect and communicate. Through dialogue, activities and discussion, we bring an element of fun and lightheartedness to some important topics, including:

Puberty
Healthy sexuality
Family communication and connection

For more information, visit www.plannedparenthood.org.

October 20 & November 6, 2009
Parenting With No Workshop

October 20-Minneapolis
November 6-St. Cloud

Parenting with No, a new workshop from MediaWise with featured speaker Dr. David Walsh, delivers practical, hands-on training based on key messages and strategies from the bestselling book, “No, Why Kids—of All Ages—Need to Hear It and Ways Parents Can Say It” which sparked a statewide movement, Say Yes to No. The workshop is designed for parents as well as teachers, early childhood professionals, social workers, parent educators and health care providers. Optional leader’s training is included and continuing education credits will be available. For more information or to register, visit www.sayyestono.org.

Funding Opportunities

HIV Prevention Funding for Community-Based Organizations

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announces the availability of funds for a cooperative agreement program for community-based organization to develop and implement HIV prevention programs in the following two categories:

Category A: HIV prevention services for members of racial/ethnic minority communities in which there may be a high risk for HIV infection.
Category B: HIV prevention services for members of groups in chich there may be a high risk for acquiring or transmitting HIV infection, regardless of race/ethnicity.

Applicants may apply for either Category A or Category B, but not both. This opportunity is limited to applicants with documented experience working with the target population and providing services in the area. CDC expects to award approximately 145 cooperative agreements of approximately $300,000 each.

More information is available in this funding alert (PDF), or visit this section of the CDC website.