MOAPPP October 2005 E-Monthly

October is Let’s Talk Month

Let’s Talk Month is a community campaign that supports parents in making stronger connections with their children and in talking honestly and openly about sexual health and relationships. Let’s Talk Month is an excellent opportunity for you to involve and support parents in providing their children with sexual health information and resources. MOAPPP continues to update the information and resources available for professionals, parents and teens at its Let’s Talk Month web site. Register today for A Let’s Talk Month Conversation with James Wagoner, Advocates for Youth (Washington D.C.) President, on Tuesday, October 18 from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. at Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church in Minneapolis. If your organization is planning activities around Let’s Talk Month, let us know and we will add them to MOAPPP’s LTM Across the State calendar; or if you have any further questions, please contact at MOAPPP.

Governor Pawlenty officially proclaims October 2005 as Let’s Talk Month.

Text of Governor Pawlenty’s proclamation.


MOAPPP and Your Workplace Charitable Giving Campaign

Did you know you can designate MOAPPP to receive the contribution you make during your workplace charitable giving campaign? 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 a charity of your choice. Please consider designating MOAPPP this year!

  • The Minnesota State Employees’ Combined Charities Campaign
  • 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
  • Community Health Charities Minnesota
  • Community Solutions Fund

Questions? [email protected] or 651-644-1447 ext.16


“Call for Ideas” for MOAPPP’s 15th Annual Conference, May 4-5, 2006

We are currently planning the 15th Annual MOAPPP Conference to be held May 4-5, 2006 at the Earle Brown Heritage Center in Brooklyn Center. We need YOUR help to make this conference a success. The MOAPPP conference offers three keynote presentations and 35 workshops on a broad range of topics related to teen pregnancy prevention and adolescent parents. In an effort to ensure this conference offers workshops that challenge, motivate, and inspire participants in their work with youth and families, we are conducting a “Call for Ideas”. This is your opportunity to let us know what workshops you would like to see at the conference this year. We need to know if you have a presentation you would like considered for the conference, know of a great speaker we should contact, or have an idea for a topic you think we should be sure to address. Please send your ideas (they can be sketchy at this point) and contact information to Marilyn Colby Rivkin at 651-644-1447 ext. 15 or [email protected] by Friday, October 28, 2005.


MOAPPP Hiring an Information and Resource Management Intern

The primary function of this internship is to increase dissemination and use of science-based information and resources regarding adolescent reproductive health.

For full job description click here. Resumes will be accepted through Friday, October 21, 2005.

Submit cover letter and resume to: Lisa Turnham, via email – [email protected] or fax 651-644-1417.


In the News

Two Great Let’s Talk Month Resources from Advocates for Youth

  • Let’s Talk Month Planning Guidebook
    Just like MOAPPP, Advocates for Youth also recognizes October as Let’s Talk Month. Let’s Talk Month emphasizes the importance of young people and the adults they trust talking about sex. Advocates for Youth recently updated its Let’s Talk Month Planning Guidebook. The guidebook provides strategic tips and examples to help local communities plan and implement activities for Let’s Talk Month. It also includes fact sheets, guidance for involving youth and working with the media, and sample forms. Online at www.advocatesforyouth.org.
  • It’s Time to Talk: Public Service Announcements
    Advocates for Youth created two public service announcements (PSAs) to get people talking. Online at www.advocatesforyouth.org.

LTM Research: New Report Examines Family Perspectives on Parent-Child Connectedness

Parent-Child Connectedness: Voices of African-American and Latino Parents and Teens presents perspectives on parent-child connectedness (PCC) previously absent from the literature. The report, produced by ETR Associates with support from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, summarizes findings from a focus group study of parents and adolescents on their thoughts on parent-child connectedness. The report contains a combination of data, interpretations, and findings and concludes with a description of program implications and next steps. Available at ReCapp (PDF).


Two Analyses of New Data on Adolescent Oral Sex Experience

Two new analyses of recently released survey data (2002 National Survey of Family Growth) provide reliable information on oral sex experience among adolescents.

  • Child Trends Databank indicator titled Oral Sex, looks at differences in the prevalence of oral sex by age and gender among all adolescents (ages 15-19), among adolescents who have not had sexual intercourse, and among adolescents who have had sexual intercourse by age and gender, as well as at other statistics on oral sex among adolescents. Read it online (PDF).
  • A research brief titled Science Says #17: Teens and Oral Sex, was produced by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. The brief presents statistical information on adolescents and oral sex for the period 1995-2002 and includes suggestions for parents and educators. Read it at www.teenpregnancy.org (PDF).

New Publication: Freeze Frame: A Snapshot of America’s Teens

National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, in conjunction with Child Trends, released this publication which presents data on a wide variety of topics, from teens’ sexual behavior to their religious beliefs. The data are grouped into seven areas of influence—health, family, peers and partners, school, community, media and consumer behavior, and religious and spiritual beliefs. Available at www.teenpregnancy.org (PDF).


Final Birth Data for 2003 Released

The National Center for Health Statistics released final birth data for 2003. State specific data on teen birth rates are included in the report. Highlights:

  • The number of births to single women in the U.S. reached a record high of 1.4 million in 2003, while the teenage birth rate decreased for the 12th consecutive year
  • U.S. Teen birth rate fell 3% between 2002 and 2003. Overall, the teen birth rate has declined one-third between 1991 and 2003.
  • U.S. Birth rates for teens aged 15-17 AND aged 18-19 both fell 3%.
  • Decline in rates have been particularly impressive for African-American teens. For those aged 15-19, the teen birth rate has declined 45% since 1991. For those aged 15-17 the rate has declined by slightly over half.

For the full report, go to www.cdc.gov (PDF).


New Research Explores Association Between Neighborhood Characteristics and Adolescent Sexual Behaviors

“Our results . . . suggest that neighborhood context may be positively or negatively associated with sexual initiation, depending on gender,” state the authors of an article published in the September 2005 issue of Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health. Results also conclude that “an exclusive focus on behavior and personal responsibility will have a limited effect on sexual initiation unless contextual influences at the neighborhood level are also addressed.” Article: Cubbin C, Santelli J, Brindis C, et al. 2005. Neighborhood context and sexual behaviors among adolescents: Findings from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 37(3):125-134. Available at www.agi-usa.org.


New Resource from National Education Association

A Teen Pregnancy Prevention Resource for School Employees by Eva Marx, Vicki Harrison & Kandra Strauss Riggs. This valuable guide, published by the National Education Association, gives school employees the resources they need to help students avoid behaviors that can result in pregnancy, as well as STI and HIV infection. Drawing on current research and practice, this book offers strategies that school employees can use to help students prepare to become responsible adults.

Ordering information:
ISBN: 0-8106-3299-3
Item: No. 3299-3-00
Online: www.nea.org/books
Phone: 800-229-4200


Advocates for Youth and SIECUS File Legal Complaint against Government for Spreading False and Misleading Sex Education

Advocates for Youth and the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS) filed a challenge to the federal government’s funding of inaccurate and ineffective abstinence-only-until-marriage programs. Filed with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under the guidelines set forth by the Data Quality Act of 2000, Advocates for Youth and SIECUS issued the challenge to the quality of data and information disseminated through abstinence-only programs sponsored by the Administration of Children and Families (ACF) under HHS. For more information visit www.advocatesforyouth.org.


Pediatricians Support Emergency Contraception for Teens

In a policy statement released September 1, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advised all pediatricians to tell adolescent patients about emergency contraception as part of regular preventive care visits. The statement notes that two emergency contraception medications currently approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA)—Preven and Plan B—”are safe and effective for adolescent use.” You can read the alert online.


FDA Women’s Health Chief Resigns Over Agency’s Failure To Approve Nonprescription Sales of Plan B Emergency Contraceptive

FDA Assistant Commissioner for Women’s Health Susan Wood resigned from the agency in protest of its action to indefinitely defer a decision on Barr Laboratories’ application for nonprescription sales of its emergency contraceptive Plan B, the AP/ABC News reports (Neergaard, AP/ABC News, 8/31/2005). Wood, a biologist, had served as assistant FDA commissioner since 2000 (Rockoff, Baltimore Sun, 9/1/2005).”I can no longer serve … when scientific and clinical evidence, fully evaluated and recommended for approval by professional staff here, has been overruled,” Wood wrote (Alonso-Zaldivar, Los Angeles Times, 9/1/2005). More info available at www.kaisernetwork.org.


Maine Declines Federal Funds for Abstinence-Only Sex Education Programs, Says New Guidelines Prohibit ‘Safe-Sex’ Curriculum

Maine Gov. John Baldacci (D) has decided to decline $161,000 in federal funds for abstinence-only sex education programs, in part because new federal guidelines prohibit the funds be used to teach “safe-sex” practices, the Portland Press Herald reports. Maine is the third state in the country after Pennsylvania and California to refuse federal money for abstinence-only education. More available at www.kaisernetwork.org.

MOAPPP Events

October 17, 2005 and October 18, 2005
Truth or Consequences: What You Need to Know About Abstinence-Only Sex Education
James Wagoner, President, Advocates for Youth

October 17, 2005
7:00 p.m.
Rochester Community and Technical College, Rochester

October 18, 2005
7:00 p.m.
Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter

One billion dollars in state and federal funds have been allocated since 1996 to abstinence-only/no contraception education programs. A recent federal study confirms what an abundance of other studies have shown – these programs don’t work. Still, leaders at the state and federal levels continue to pump more dollars into abstinence-only programs while restricting comprehensive sexuality education programs that have been research-tested and proven to work. This event is co-sponsored by Minnesota AIDS Project and MOAPPP.


October 18, 2005
A Let’s Talk Month Conversation with James Wagoner, President of Advocates for Youth

9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church
511 Groveland Avenue, Minneapolis
Map and Directions to the church
Cost: $15
A continental breakfast will be served.

An informal conversation with James Wagoner, President of Advocates for Youth, one of this country’s leading adolescent sexual health advocates. This energizing session with Mr. Wagoner will increase your knowledge, commitment and confidence to provide sexual health education and pregnancy prevention programming for adolescents and their parents.

Register online or complete the registration form (PDF) and return by mail or fax. Limited enrollment – register today! Questions? [email protected].


May 4-5, 2006
MOAPPP’s 15th Annual Conference

Save the date for the 15th Annual MOAPPP conference.

 

Other Events

September 23 – October 28, 2005
Dads and Early Literacy

MN Fathers and Family Network along with a broad range of community partners will host seven, one half-day seminars throughout Minnesota. “Dads and Early Childhood Development: Connecting dads and children through literacy and early education” will focus on developmentally appropriate literacy activities, the influence of gender on reading habits, and the role of father-figures in children’s literacy development. The sessions will promote an understanding of the influences of talking, reading, singing, and playing as tools for expanding literacy. For more information go to www.mnfathers.org.


October 14, 2005
Hmong Health Care Professionals’ Coalition Conference: Strengthening Hmong Health in the 21stCentury

8:30 am– 4:00 pm
1645 Energy Park Drive
St. Paul, MN 55108

The Hmong Health Care Professionals’ Coalition is a collaborative partnership invested in improving the health and well-being of the Hmong community by providing education, advocacy, and supporting health research. The Coalition invites all those interested in Hmong health to this annual conference. This will be particularly applicable for health care providers or service providers working with the Hmong. Registration fee of $75. To register call 651-266-2444 or go online.


November 8, 2005
Reproductive Health Update: What’s Current in Contraceptive Technology, STI Prevention and Treatment

9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
University of Minnesota, Continuing Education and Conference Center

Co-sponsored by Health Care Education and Training, Inc., the Healthy Youth Development–Prevention Research Center and the Annex Teen Clinic. For nurses, nurse practitioners, health educators and other interested health care staff and providers. Continuing Education Units available. For further information contact Jenny Stephenson at or 317-247-9008.


November 9, 2005
2005 APPCNC Hispanic Symposium

Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Coalition of North Carolina will hold a one-day symposium on effective practices in teen pregnancy prevention programming for Hispanic/Latino youth. Learn from the experience of those who are implementing and studying successful programs for Latino youth in other areas of the US and for Latin American teens. Nolo Martínez from the Center for New Carolinians will deliver the morning keynote address. Speakers will include Debra Delgado of The Annie E. Casey Foundation. Registration is available online.


November 16-19, 2005
Healthy Teen Network 2005 Annual Conference

Healthy Teen Network’s (formerly known as NOAPPP) annual conference, Leading the Charge: Making a Difference in the Lives of Teens and Young Families, will be held in Chicago, IL. Conference information available online.


March 27-28, 2006
Minnesota Conference on Adolescent Females (MCAF)

Save the date for the 16th Annual Minnesota Conference on Adolescent Females, hosted by the Girls Coalition of Minnesota. For more details, visit www.mngirls.org.