MOAPPP October 2004 E-Monthly

Table of Contents

Five Years of Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Education: Assessing the Impact

Advocates for Youth conducted an exhaustive review of existing research to locate evaluation results from state abstinence-only-until-marriage Title V programs. This document reviews the findings from the 10 evaluations that Advocates for Youth was able to identify. It also includes evaluation results from California’s earlier attempt at a statewide abstinence-only initiative. Link to report.


Trends in Sexual Risk Behaviors among U.S. High School Students, 1991 to 1997 and 1999 to 2003

Advocates for Youth contracted with an independent statistician to analyze data recently released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) about sexual behavior among high school students (grades 9 through 12) from 1991 to 2003. Advocates report on the analysis of the Youth Risk Behavior Surveys (YRBS), Trends in Sexual Risk Behaviors among High School StudentsUnited States, 1991 to 1997 and 1999 to 2003, found that the much-touted improvements in adolescent sexual risk-taking behavior actually took place from 1991 to 1997. These improvements did not continue into the time period between 1999 and 2003which corresponds to the first years of the abstinence-only initiative. Link to report.


New Resources on Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention

The new edition of the MCH Library’s Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Knowledge Path is an electronic resource guide on recent, high-quality resources that analyze data, describe public health campaigns and prevention programs, and report on research aimed at identifying causes and promising intervention strategies to prevent teen pregnancy. It is intended for use by health professionals, policymakers, researchers, and families who are interested in tracking timely information on this topic. Link to knowledge path.


“Not Yet: Programs to Delay First Sex Among Teens”

A new publication produced by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy and Child Trends, “Not Yet” provides descriptions of prevention programs that have shown, through careful research, to delay first sex among teens. The publication provides details of program curriculum, costs, and evaluation results. An electronic version of “Not Yet”, as well as an order form for print copies are available at www.teenpregnancy.org.


Berkeley Rated Number One City in California In Providing Comprehensive Services To Prevent Teen Pregnancy

The “Get Real About Teen Pregnancy” study evaluated several variables, and found that Berkeley, California had one of the lowest teen pregnancy rates among cities surveyed. Between 1994 and 2001 the city had a 41% decline among infants born to teens. Many attribute the city’s success to the Berkeley High School health center, which provides condoms, oral and emergency contraceptives, counseling, and outreach services to students. Link to article.


Infants Born to Teenage Mothers, Low-Birthweight Infants More Likely To Attempt Suicide Later in Life, Study Says

The Kaiser Network summarizes this article on their website.


October 8, 2004
“The Impact of Mass Media on Children”

“The Impact of Mass Media on Children”, is presented by Dr. David Walsh, Ph.D, president and founder of the National Institute on Media and the Family, based in Minneapolis. Dr. Walsh will speak from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. followed by an informal question and answer period from 8:30 – 9:30 p.m. This session is for parents. This session is FREE and will be held at Westwood Community Church, 3121 Westwood Drive, Chanhassen (at the northwest corner of Highways 5 & 41, off Tanadoona Drive). To register, please call Ridgeview Medical Center’s registration line at 952-442-8084.


October 9, 2004
“Why Do They Act That Way? A Survival Guide to the Adolescent Brain for You and Your Teen”

“Why Do They Act That Way?,” is presented Dr. David Walsh, Ph.D, president and founder of the National Institute on Media and the Family, based in Minneapolis. Dr. Walsh will speak from 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. This session is FREE and will be held at Westwood Community Church, 3121 Westwood Drive, Chanhassen (at the northwest corner of Highways 5 & 41, off Tanadoona Drive). To register, please call Ridgeview Medical Center’s registration line at 952-442-8084.


October 18, 2004
What Parents and Teens Want (and Need): Comprehensive Sexual Health Education

James Wagoner, Director, Advocates for Youth will speak at Kandiyohi County Health & Human Services, 2200 NE 23rd Street, Willmar, MN, from 7 – 8:30 p.m. This event is co-sponsored by MN AIDS Project, Willmar Area AIDS Task Force, MOAPPP and Sexuality Education for Life Coalition. For more information.


October 19, 2004
Truth or Consequences: Replacing Facts with Ideology in Fighting HIV, STDs and Unplanned Pregnancies

James Wagoner, Executive Director, Advocates for Youth, will speak at Macalester College Student Center, 1600 Grand Avenue, St. Paul from 7-8:30 p.m. This event is co-sponsored by MN AIDS Project, OutFront Minnesota, District 202 and Macalester College student organizations. For more information.


October 26, 2004
Lets Talk Month Forum for Parent Educators

Come to review research, resources and activities focused on engaging parents and caregivers as sexuality educators. Leave with new ideas and energy to support this important work. Crysalis Gathering Room, 4432 Chicago Avenue South, Minneapolis. 8:30a.m. NOON. Contact Lisa Turnham for registration details: [email protected] or 651-644-1447 x18.


October 28, 2004
After-School Activities as Contexts of Development

Part Two of “Inquiry to Impact: Youth Development in Out-of-School Time” conference series. Sponsored by the University of Minnesota and held at the McNamara Alumni Center from 8:30 – NOON. Presentation by Dr. Joseph Mahoney, Yale University. Conference is free of charge. For more information.


November 4-6, 2004
“Healthy Communities, Healthy Youth Conference”

The theme of Search Institute’s 2004 “Healthy Communities Healthy Youth Conference,” Assets in Action Making a Difference, was chosen to showcase the ways communities are making change, measuring change and creating tools and processes to keep the asset-building momentum going. For more information.


November 7, 2004
AFFIRM 2004: What a Girl Wants … A Firm Foundation

1:00 4:30 p.m. Sabes JCC, St. Louis Park. AFFIRM is for girls in Grades 6 8 and the significant adults in their lives. The program includes a theater performance, interactive workshops and age-appropriate discussion groups to help girls explore how to create, maintain and enjoy positive relationships in their lives. For registration information call NCJW: 952-922-7900.


November 7-11, 2004
Great Lakes Institute for Community Health Educators (GLICHE)

GLICHE will be held at Craguns Conference Center and Resort in Brainerd, MN. GLICHE is an experiential institute designed specifically for sexuality educators to work on and learn presentation and program planning skills. Cost will be $825 and includes room & board & tuition. GLICHE is sponsored by HCFT (Health Care Education & Training) which is a training organization that provides training to six states, including Minnesota. HCET can be accessed at www.hcet.org and they offer a number of on-line training modules in addition to regional conferences & workshops. Carolyn Rehn is the Minnesota Training Consultant and can be reached at .


December 2-3, 2004
The Family Life Councils Annual Wise Guys National Training

Greensboro, North Carolina. Representatives from agencies across the country will learn how to implement the Wise Guys program in their own communities. By empowering young men with the knowledge and communication skills needed to make healthy and responsible decisions, Wise Guys is a powerful, award-winning program for teen pregnancy and STD prevention from the adolescent male perspective. For more information, contact Jean Goss, Administrative Assistant/Wise Guys, Family Life Council 336-333-6890 x232 or


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