MOAPPP’s April 2004 E-Monthly

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Table of Contents

Annual Award Nominations Due April 9th

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 7, 2004. 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 website 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 Nancy Nelson at [email protected] or via fax at 651-644-1447 by April 9, 2004.

What are your plans for May Teen Pregnancy Awareness Month 2004?

May is fast approaching and with that comes another year to recognize Teen Pregnancy Awareness Month. The focus of this month is to increase public awareness of teenage pregnancy. We need to stay focused on what works to support adolescent health and May is an opportunity to promote these efforts. Remember, be creative, promote what works, involve youth, and have fun! MOAPPP can help you plan your May events with information, resources and ideas on our website or contact us for assistance at [email protected]

What’s Happening at the Legislature

Legislation that Affects Adolescent Sexual Health

    • Comprehensive Family Life and Sexuality Education Bill (SF 2443/HF 2546)
    • Comprehensive Initiative to Prevent Abortion and Unintended Pregnancy Bill (SF 1665/HF 2731).
    • Abstinence-only-until-marriage Curriculum Requirement Bill (HF 580)
    • Bill to Repeal Minors’ Consent Law (HF 352/SF 570)
    • Bill to Reinstate Physical Education and Health Education (SF 1882/HF 2209)

Legislation that Affects Adolescent Parents

    • Bill to Modify Child Care Assistance Eligibility–“Mississippi Bill” (HF 2329/SF 2329)
    • Child Care Restoration Bill (HF 2327/SF 2491
    • Child Care Rate Modification Bill (HF 2241)
    • Bill to Repeal of the Family Cap (SF 2615)

Sexuality Education for Life Coalition E-Alerts

  • To receive updates on comprehensive sexuality education and confidential health care for minors during the legislative session, sign up for the Sexuality Education for Life Coalition E-Alerts at www.SexEdforLife.org.

Contact your State Representative and Senator

  • You can find your state elected officials at District Finder.
  • You may also find your legislator by calling House Information at (651) 296-2146 or (800) 657-3550, and Senate Information at (651) 296-0504 or (800) 234-1112.

Faith Matters: How African-American Faith Communities Can Help Prevent Teen Pregnancy

To highlight the strong connection between faith and preventing teen pregnancy, the National Campaign and the National Coalition of Pastors’ Spouses have developed a new guide, Faith Matters: How African-American Faith Communities Can Help Prevent Teen Pregnancy. To download a free copy, go to www.teenpregnancy.org/resources To order a print copy, go to www.teenpregnancy.org/store

New Research Briefs “Science Says”

The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy is pleased to announce the release of the latest Science Says research briefs prepared under the auspices of our CDC-funded project, Putting What Works to Work: American Opinion on Teen Pregnancy and Related Issues 2003, Parental Influence and Teen Pregnancy, No Time to Waste, programs for middle-school aged youth and A Good Time School Programs to Reduce Teen Pregnancy. Now available to download from the Campaign’s website, www.teenpregnancy.org. The new Science Says research briefs are available to download by clicking on the following links:

  • American Opinion
  • Parental Influence
  • No Time to Waste
  • A Good Time

Teenagers Who Take ‘Virginity Pledges,’ Other Teens Have Similar STD Rates, Study Says.

Teenagers who make “virginity pledges” to abstain from sexual intercourse until marriage have similar rates of sexually transmitted diseases as teens who have not committed to remain abstinent, according to a study presented on Tuesday at the 2004 National STD Prevention Conference in Philadelphia. See full report: www.kaisernetwork.org

2004 KIDS COUNT Data book

CDF Minnesota is now accepting advance orders for the 2004 KIDS COUNT Data book, Minnesota Kids: A Closer Look. This annual publication provides an overview for eleven indicators of child health and well-being. It looks at trends over time and compares regions and counties throughout the state. On April 13 it will be available on the CDF website: www.cdf-mn.org. Print copies can be ordered on the website www.cdf-mn.org