MOAPPP August 2005 E-Monthly

2006 Conference Planning Committee Seeks New Members

Planning for the 2006 MOAPPP Annual Conference is underway. We are currently recruiting new members for the planning committee. If you would like to be involved in planning this great event, please contact Marilyn Colby Rivkin at 651-644-1447 ext. 15 or [email protected].

Sexuality Education and HIV Resources

Check out the MOAPPP website to see the latest reviews of new resources reviewed by MSERRP – the Minnesota Sexuality Education Resource Review Panel. Go to the MSERRP Webpage for a list of recommended videos and curricula with detailed review summaries.

Legislative Update

MOAPPP and the Sex Ed for Life – Minnesota Coalition followed a number of issues at the state legislature this session. Two issues central to MOAPPP’s work include advocating for comprehensive sex education and defending minors’ ability to consent for their own health care. A status report is included below.

Comprehensive Sexuality Education
Provisions of the Comprehensive Family Life and Sexuality Education bill were included in the final version of the Senate Education Omnibus bill. Unfortunately, there was not enough support for comprehensive sexuality education among members of the Education Conference Committee, and those provisions were dropped in the last days of the special session.

MOAPPP wants to thank Senators Pappas, Langseth, Kiscaden, Senjem and Kubly, and to Representatives Walker, Dorman, Erhardt, Tingelstad, Huntley, Wagenius, Thissen, Gunther, Samuelson, Sertich, Mahoney, Dorn, Atkins, Ellison, Sieben, Kahn, Kelliher, M. Nelson, Solberg, Davnie, Slawik, Loeffler, Hornstein, Hansen, Hilstrom, Latz, Greiling, Paymar, Mariani, Bernardy, Poppe, S. Johnson, Peterson; R. Johnson; and Hilty for authoring the bill this year, and sends special thanks to Senator Kelley for including the bill’s provisions in the Education Omnibus bill.

Minors’ Consent
Minnesota’s Minors’ Consent statute was challenged in the House again this session. MOAPPP and the Sex Ed for Life Coalition provided testimony in support of the current statute, and against changes introduced by a bill (H.F. 1921) authored by Representatives Wilkin, Peppin, Otremba, Powell, Buesgens, Dean, Garofalo, Seifert, Larson, Emmer, Hoppe, Wardlow, Soderstrom, Cybart, Knoblach, Bradley and Holberg. House File 1921 was approved by the Health Policy and Finance Committee, and had a second reading on the House floor. At the end of the session, the bill was returned to the Health Policy and Finance Committee, where it may be picked up for action again next year. No companion bill was introduced in the Senate.

In the News

Kids Count Data Book Now Available

The Annie E. Casey Foundation announces the release of the 2005 KIDS COUNT Data Book and online database.

American Academy of Pediatrics Report Says Teens Need Access to Contraception

Teens need access to contraception to reduce rates of teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease, according to a report issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The recommendations advise physicians to encourage teens to delay sexual activity, while also ensuring all teens, regardless of their sexual activity, have access to contraception, including emergency contraception. Read the full report online.

Emergency Contraception Talking Points

This month, Advocates for Youth focuses on emergency contraception (EC). Read Advocates’ analysis and talking points related to emergency contraception online.

U.S. Task Force releases recommendation to screen all pregnant women for HIV

This month, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force released a recommendation titled, “Screening for Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection.” The task force recommends that clinicians screen all pregnant women for HIV. A Summary of Recommendations and Supporting Documents are available online.

New Report Highlights Innovative Work of KIDS COUNT

Youth Count: Exploring How KIDS COUNT Grantees Address Youth Issues, from The Forum for Youth Investment, highlights the history of data collection, challenges and innovative strategies of 12 Annie E. Casey Foundation KIDS COUNT grantees in their work to serve the needs of older youth. You can read the full report online.

State Profiles on Teen Reproductive Health

State profiles developed by the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) provide information on HIV, STD, and teen pregnancy including data, policies and school-based programs. Each state profile contains school and income demographics, health behaviors and risks, data on teen pregnancy and HIV/AIDS, as well as STD rates, policies, resources and references. Read the full state profiles online.

New issue brief explores Teen Parent TANF rules and lessons learned in Illinois

An issue brief, A Needed Transition: Lessons from Illinois about Teen Parent TANF Rules, by Lacinda Hummel and Jodie Levin-Epstein of the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) reviews how Illinois approached eligibility under the two minor parent rules, and explores why and how Illinois moved forward with a transitional compliance administrative rule. It also examines the effect of the rule – notably that the process led to a better understanding of minor parents’ individual circumstances and thus fewer inappropriate denials. You can read the issue brief online (PDF).

U.S. Infant Mortality Rate Increases in 2002 for First Time in 40 Years

According to William O’Hare, the director of Kids Count, the increase in U.S. infant mortality rates is “cause for concern” because the statistics are used to measure societal well-being and could indicate deterioration in support networks. For more information, visit Kaiser Network.

HHS Abstinence Website for Parents of Teens Contains Inaccurate, Misleading Information, Review Says

The www.4parents.gov website, designed to help parents discuss sexual abstinence with their teenage children, contains inaccurate and misleading information about condoms, sexual orientation, dangers associated with oral sex and single-parent households. Medical experts who reviewed the material at the request of Rep. Henry Waxman indicated this information could potentially lead to riskier behavior among young people or alienation among families. For more information, visit Kaiser Network .

Young Women Have the Highest Chlamydia Prevalence of Any Age Group in the U.S.

Approximately 2.2% of U.S. adults ages 14 to 39 have chlamydia, with the highest prevalence rates among young women, according to CDC data. For more information, visit Kaiser Network.

New National Campaign Publication Examines Adolescent Brain Development

The Adolescent Brain: A Work in Progress—authored by international experts in adolescent brain development Drs. Daniel Weinberger, Jay Giedd, and Brita Elvevååg—makes the case that neurological development is an important dimension of overall adolescent development, and our efforts to understand, guide and help teens should be based in part on a deeper appreciation of adolescent neurobiology. The 21-page publication contains a foreword by National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy Director Sarah Brown and is available for free on the Campaign’s website (PDF) and for $10 for a print copy through their online store.

Parent-Child Connectedness Report Released

ETR Associates has released a publication titled: “Parent-Child Connectedness: Voices of African-American and Latino Parents and Teens.” This report summarizes findings from an ETR focus group study with African-American and Latino parents and teens living in low-income neighborhoods. To download a free pdf version of this report, please visit the Resource Center for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention website (ReCAPP) (PDF).

Alston/Bannerman Fellowship Available for Social Change Organizers of Color

The Alston/Bannerman Fellowship Program is committed to advancing progressive social change by helping to sustain long-time activists of color. The program is designed to give these activists the financial support and freedom to “take a break and recharge.” For more information, visit the Alston/Bannerman Fellowship Program website.

MOAPPP Events

August 1-3, 2005
August 4, 2005 (graduate students only)
Skills for Effective Health Education: Teaching About Sexuality and HIV
2005 Summer Institute in Adolescent Health

8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
College of St. Catherine, Carondolet Center
St. Paul

This institute focuses on the “how” and “why” of effective sexuality and HIV education. Emphasis is on teaching skills that are useful in any subject, and critical in teaching about sexuality and HIV, such as knowing how to create productive learning environments, use interactive and practice methods, and deal with student discomfort. The Summer Institute is sponsored by the U of MN Center for Adolescent Nursing, U of MN Healthy Youth Development – Prevention Research Center and MOAPPP. Registration is $250.00 for the three day institute. For more information call: 612-624-3029 or e-mail . You can also get the registration form online.

Other Events

Augest 4-14, 2005
Minnesota Fringe Festival THE TALK – An Intercourse on Coming of Age

Thursday, August 4 – 10:00 p.m.
Friday, August 5 – 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, August 10 – 10:00 p.m.
Thursday, August 11 – 5:30 p.m.
Sunday, August 14 – 8:30 p.m.

Mixed Blood Theater
1501 Fourth Street South
Minneapolis, MN

Teens – Hormones are raging, moods are jumping, curiosity is peaking and pressure is building! Are you there now or can you remember the big challenges of pubescent life? Then let’s talk about it! This original, teen-driven work includes sketch comedy, songs, and personal stories – guaranteed to promote the facts with “real teens” and YPC’s wild, wacky stamp of reality! Recommended for ages 12+. Tickets: $8 – $12. Advance ticket sales – Uptown Tix: www.uptowntix.com or 612-604-4466. Specific dates and times are available online.

August 12-14, 2005
Second Annual African Health and Immigration Conference

For more information contact Kirkpatrick Weah, 612-432-0869.

August 13, 2005
The 2005 Latino Family Resources Fair

10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Midtown Public Market
Between 22^nd Avenue and Hiawatha on Lake Street
Across from Midtown YWCA
Minneapolis

Resources, health screenings, health insurance information, legal and immigration resources, games for children, live music and dancing, traditional food.

To reserve a booth or for more information call La Oportunidad at 612.872.6165/ MHP at 612.337.3209.

August 13, 2005
Minnesota Festival for Fathers and Families

12:00 – 4:00 p.m.
North Commons Park
1801 James Ave. North
Minneapolis

The 15^th annual festival offers free games, entertainment and food including a petting zoo, a free raffle, free lunch, games for youth of all ages, free pony rides, free birdhouse-building activity, live entertainment and much more! Attendees can browse the exhibit tables of many of Minnesota’s agencies and social services organizations that provide services to fathers and families. For more information please visit www.mnfathers.org

August 25-27, 2005
The Sixth Annual Institute for Program Development and Evaluation (IPDE)

Crowne Plaza Cabaña Hotel, in Palo Alto, CA.

IPDE provides teen pregnancy and STI/HIV prevention program staff with the information and skills they need to integrate science-based principles and practices into planning and evaluating effective prevention programs. The 2005 IPDE conference includes five courses that collectively cover program modeling, process and outcome evaluation, and best practices in teen pregnancy and STI/HIV program development and adaptation. For questions, e-mail or call Dr. Julie Solomon at 650-949-3282 x206 (toll free 800-846-3475 x206). For more information or to register, please visit the conference webpage.