MOAPPP June 2008 E-Monthly

Thanks to MOAPPP’s Benefit Celebration Sponsors

Sincere thanks to each and every one of the sponsors of MOAPPP’s Benefit Event in May! Their support makes it possible for MOAPPP and its partners to reach, educate and support Minnesota’s teens.

Diamond Sponsors ($4,500)
Kraus-Anderson Construction Company
Nelson, Tietz & Hoye, Inc.
Travelers

Gold Sponsors ($3,000)
Brookfield Properties
Hines
Lindquist & Vennum, PLLP
Marquette Plaza
Mortenson Construction
Opus Northwest, L.L.C.
Ryan Companies US, Inc.
U.S. Bank

Silver Sponsors ($1,500)
Deloitte Tax L.L.P.
Ellerbe Becket
HGA – Architects and Engineers
Marquette Financial Companies
Piper Jaffray & Co.
RSP Architects
Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P.
United Hospital, a division of Allina Hospitals and Clinics

Bronze Sponsors ($750)
Nance Alexander
Rachel Johnson Hamlin
Hennepin County Medical Center
Anne McInerney
Brigid Riley
Marshall Saunders with RE/MAX Results
Wells Fargo & Co.
Xcel Energy


Additional Sponsors Made MOAPPP’s Annual Conference Possible.  Thank you!

Silver Sponsor
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Bronze Sponsors
Children’s Trust Fund, Minnesota Department of Human Services
Maternal and Child Health Section, Minnesota Department of Health
Minnesota Department of Education

Purple Sponsors
Center for Leadership Education in Maternal and Child Health, Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota, School of Public Health
HealthPartners
Healthy Youth Development-Prevention Research Center, Division of Pediatrics and Adolescent Health, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota
Hennepin County Human Services and Public Health Department
Metropolitan Health Plan
Minneapolis Department of Health and Family Support
Sexual Violence Prevention Program, Minnesota Department of Health
UCare


Make it Easy on Yourself — and MOAPPP — with Summer Gifts from Amazon.com

Amazon.com

MOAPPP receives a percentage of all Amazon.com purchases that originate at MOAPPP’s website:  MOAPPP.org.  See the link in the left-hand column of our site and get easy access to gifts for your favorite grads, dads and newlyweds this summer.  This is a year-round promotion so always start at MOAPPP’s website when shopping at Amazon.com!


2008 Legislative Session Summary

The 2008 legislative session ended May 19th.  During the legislative session, MOAPPP works at the Capitol to advance policies and funding that promote healthy adolescent sexuality and support young parents and their children.  View a session summary of those issues.

Election season is just around the corner.  Minnesota state primary elections will be held September 9th and the General Election November 4th.  To stay connected to the issues, join the MOAPPP Advocacy Network by visiting MOAPPP.org/public_policy.


Minnesota County Sexual Health Reports

The 2008 Minnesota county reports, for all 87 Minnesota counties, are a summary of the sexual health of adolescents in the state. Each report provides information on key sexual health indicators, such as pregnancy and birth statistics, STI/HIV, low birth weight and prenatal care, sexual activity and public assistance in a brief and easy-to-read format.  County reports are available on our website.


Calling All Adolescent Parent Providers to Join in the Discussion on Meeting the MFIP Summer Requirements

Many programs that serve adolescent parents are struggling to create plans to help parents meet the MFIP/school-work summer requirements needed to maintain their MFIP status. MOAPPP has developed an online discussion board to foster communication among adolescent parent providers, MFIP providers and others who work to support young families in Minnesota. Please go to the message board to pose questions and offer ideas. Link to members.boardhost.com/MOAPPP to discuss strategies with colleagues around the state.

Other Announcements

National Abstinence Education Association Launches Effort Aimed at Gaining Support of Parents

Last week, the National Abstinence Education Association (NAEA), a Washington D.C.-based lobbying group, launched a $1 million nationwide campaign aimed at garnering the support of parents to lobby schools for more abstinence-only-until-marriage programs. The public relations firm hired by the NAEA to create the campaign is the same firm that developed the “Swift Boat Veterans for Truth” campaign during the 2004 John Kerry/George Bush Presidential campaign. Learn more about this campaign.

Advocates for responsible, fact-based comprehensive sex education continue working to bring public policy in step with the science — and public opinion — that strongly support the young people’s need for complete and accurate information in order to make safe and healthy choices. Two recently published studies from the Journal of Adolescent Health illustrate the success of comprehensive sex education (www.jahonline.org/article1) and the degree of parental support for it (www.jahonline.org/article2).


Funding Opportunities to Prevent Unplanned Pregnancy

The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy is pleased to announce several new funding opportunities to help prevent unplanned pregnancy.  For more information and to read the full solicitations, please visit The National Campaign Fund.

  • Ending June 16, 2008: Preventing Unplanned Pregnancy in Community Colleges
  • Ending June 23, 2008: Qualitative Interview Project Targeted at Unmarried Young Adults (age 18-29)
  • Ending June 30, 2008: Encouraging New State and Local Efforts to Prevent Unplanned Pregnancy
  • Ending August 15, 2008: Encouraging Innovation in Preventing Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy

Nominate a “FATHER OF THE YEAR”

Each year, Minnesota’s social service, family service and fatherhood service agencies are invited to nominate exceptional men to be recognized as a Father of the Year.  This is an opportunity to highlight positive young father achievement as well as the good work your agency is doing.  This year, nominations are due by August 1. Download a nomination form or contact Paul Masiarchin at the Minnesota Fathers & Families Network for further details at 651-222-7432 or [email protected].


National HIV Testing Day

June 27th is National HIV Testing Day (NHTD), an annual campaign produced by the National Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA-US) to encourage at-risk individuals to receive voluntary HIV counseling and testing. It is estimated that each year 40,000 Americans are newly infected with HIV, and an estimated 250,000 people in the United States have HIV and are not aware of it. National HIV Testing Day is an opportunity for people nationwide to learn their HIV status and to gain knowledge to take control of their health and their lives. Read more about HIV testing at www.mysistahs.org, and find out the nearest HIV testing location at www.hivtest.org.

For Youth

Apply to be a Young Women of Color Leadership Council Member or MySistahs Peer Educator!

Advocates for Youth is currently recruiting young women of color activists for the 2008-2009 school year. The Young Women of Color Leadership Council is composed of young leaders and activists who come together to promote a message of prevention and empowerment. For more information and to download the applications, visit MySistahs and The Young Women of Color Leadership Council. The deadline for applications is June 16, 2008.


Cable Positive Youth AIDS Media Institute Grants

Cable Positive’s Youth AIDS Media Institute (YAMI) Community Outreach Grant is a national grant program that exists to encourage youth ages 15-24 to partner with community-based AIDS service organizations to create, strengthen and renew HIV/AIDS-related community outreach. Deadline is June 27, 2008. Click here for more information.

In the News

K-Mart Carrying Line of Abstinence-Promoting Clothing

K-Mart introduced a new line of clothing — for girls — promoting the abstinence-only-until-marriage program “True Love Waits”.  The True Love Waits program is created by LifeWay Christian Resources, and is “designed to encourage moral purity by adhering to biblical principles.” Please let K-Mart know what you think about their new line of clothing by contacting them at 1-866-KMART-4U (1-866-562-7848) or


Perception that Teens Frequently Substitute Oral Sex for Intercourse Incorrect
Oral Sex “Epidemic” Not Supported by Facts

Slightly more than half (55%) of 15–19-year-olds have engaged in heterosexual oral sex, 50% have engaged in vaginal sex and 11% have had anal sex, according to a new Guttmacher Institute study. To read more, visit www.guttmacher.org.

New Resources

Free DVD about HIV and AIDS Awareness

The STD and HIV Section of the Minnesota Department of Health is taking orders for a free DVD about HIV and AIDS Awareness from ECHO (Emergency and Community Health Outreach) TV. Each DVD contains the program in seven languages: English, Hmong, Lao, Khmer, Vietnamese, Somali and Spanish. Supplies are limited and orders will be filled on a first come first serve basis. Orders must be sent in by June 30, 2008.  To order your free copy, send an e-mail to Roy Nelson with your mailing address.


New Child Trends Fact Sheet on Programs that Promote Adolescent Reproductive Health

What Works for Adolescent Health: Lessons from Experimental Evaluations of Programs and Interventions reviews evaluated programs that focus on adolescent reproductive health, highlighting which programs have been shown to positively affect reproductive health outcomes.


Collective Responsibility, A Collective Work: Supporting the Path to Positive Life Outcomes for Youth in Economically Distressed Communities

This paper from the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) presents a picture of risk and challenge for youth in distressed communities and outlines how these communities can band together to create a continuum of supportive activities to bolster youth’s success in school and life. View the full report.


Men in the United States: Unplanned Pregnancy, Sexual Activity and Contraceptive Use

This fact sheet from the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy provides key data about unplanned pregnancy from the male perspective, with information by age, race/ethnicity and living arrangement. It also provides data about men’s sexual activity, contraceptive use and relationship status at the birth of their first child. Read the fact sheet to learn more.


Teen Pregnancy Fact Sheets Available from CDC

The Division of Adolescent Reproductive Health at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has just released teen pregnancy fact sheets – available in English (PDF) y en Español (PDF)


New Report on Girls from the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota

This new report, Status of Girls in Minnesota, examines the challenges girls in Minnesota face including poverty, racism, sexism, language and cultural barriers, and physical and sexual abuse.  The report also includes recommendations for change. Read the report at www.wfmn.org

New Research

Missed Opportunities for Chlamydia Screening of Young Women

This article presents findings from an analysis to estimate the proportion of visits where the opportunity to conduct a chlamydia test in a non-pregnant woman was missed in the United States. Abstract available at www.greenjournal.org.


Parent Perceptions of Young Adolescent Urban Girls’ Alcohol Use and Sexual Behaviors

This study re-emphasizes the importance of parental communication with youth about values and safety. Girls who report that their parents oversee their activities, set rules and communicate disapproval of risky behavior were less likely to engage in alcohol use, disapproved conduct and early heterosexual behaviors related to early sexual initiation. Abstract available at www.jahonline.org.


Contributing Factors to HPV Vaccination ‘Catch Up’ Rates

The May issue of Obstetrics and Gynecology analyzes contributing factors to human papillomavirus ‘catch up’ vaccination rates for low-income girls and women ages 13-26.  The HPV vaccination is recommended for all girls ages 11 and 12.  The CDC also recommended ‘catch up’ vaccination for girls and women ages 13 to 26, even if they were already sexually active. Read a summary of this article to learn more.


Mothers More Willing To Have Older Daughters Vaccinated Against HPV

A new study found that although CDC recommends that girls receive the human papillomavirus vaccine at age 11 or 12 to protect against cervical cancer before the onset of sexual activity, mothers of girls under age 13 are less willing to have their daughters vaccinated than mothers of older girls. Read more about the CDC study.


Effects of EC Access on Pregnancy Risk Behaviors

The May issue of Contraception examines whether facilitated access to emergency contraception has an effect on pregnancy risk behavior. Read a summary of this article.


Study Examines Reproductive Outcomes in Subsequent Adolescents Births

A study in BMC Pregnancy Childbirth journal reports that adolescents who give birth twice have worse outcomes in their second pregnancy compared to adolescents who give birth for the first time. The authors state that secondary pregnancy prevention during adolescence is an important public health objective and that health care workers should work to improve pregnancy outcomes of subsequent teenage pregnancies by addressing modifiable risk factors, such as support for smoking cessation and utilization of prenatal care.

MOAPPP Events

June 17-18, 2008
Developing Programs that Fit Your Youth: A Two-day Training on Program Assessment and Design

8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Temple of Aaron, St. Paul, MN
$100 MOAPPP member/$135 Non-member (Registration fee is reduced if two or more participants register from the same organization)

A program that works in one community may or may not match the needs, knowledge and/or values of another. How do you ensure that the program you design fits the youth you serve? The overall goal of this two-day training is to strengthen your capacity to assess the youth populations you serve so you can implement, improve and/or develop appropriate pregnancy and HIV prevention programs. Led by national experts from Healthy Teen Network and ETR Associates, this training provides tools to conduct a needs assessment, develop a data collection plan and build a logic model to use in youth programming. For maximum benefit, organizations are encouraged to send a team of two or more to the training. For more information, see the flyer and registration form. Questions? Contact Jill Farris at 651-644-1447 x18 or [email protected]


July 28 – 30, 2008
2008 Summer Institute in Adolescent Health
Sexual Health for All Youth: Are We There Yet?

Minnesota Department of Education Conference Center
1500 Highway 36 West, Roseville
$240

Sexual health for all young people — a challenging yet achievable goal — requires that every young person, even the most marginalized, have the skills for making healthy decisions. This institute offers three days of presentations and small group discussions led by national and local experts that focus on effective strategies for supporting healthy sexual development for all young people.  For more information, see the flyer and registration information. Registration deadline is July 16.


August 11, 2008
From Research to Practice: Designing Youth-Friendly Reproductive Health Services

1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Rondo Community Outreach Library
461 North Dale Street, St. Paul
$30 MOAPPP Member/$65 Non-member

This workshop is for health educators, family planning clinic staff and youth-serving professionals. Laura Davis, Advocates for Youth, Washington, DC, reviews the latest research on adolescent contraceptive use, addresses best practices for youth-friendly reproductive health services, explores ways to expand contraceptive and condom access for underserved teens, and provides information on replicable, evaluated programs. This program is offered in conjunction with the Minnesota Reproductive Health Update.  For more information, see the flyer and registration form.  Questions?  Contact Jill Farris at 651-644-1447 x18 or .  Registration deadline is August 7.


August 12, 2008
Minnesota Reproductive Health Update

8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
University of MN Continuing Education and Conference Center – St. Paul Campus
1890 Buford Avenue, St. Paul
$115

This training provides the latest information in reproductive health practice, research and technology.  Specialists in the field will address a range of topics including contraceptive technologies, marketing to male clients, cultural competence, STIs in Minnesota and adolescent health. This workshop is designed for nurses, clinicians, health educators and other health care providers who are interested in current information on reproductive health issues. Both nursing and CHES continuing education contact hours will be offered for this training.  View the save-the-date card for this event.  Registration information will soon be available at www.hcet.org.

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 2008. For additional information, visit www.coalitionforsexed.org.

No Coalition Events for June 2008

Other Events

June 10, 2008
Clinical Tools to Reduce Smoking, Drinking and Drug Use in Pregnancy

8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Minnesota Department of Health
1645 Energy Park Drive, St. Paul
Free (offered through a training partnership of MHP, Twin Cities Healthy Start and MDH Office of Tobacco Prevention and Control)

This training examines the state of the science on women’s tobacco, alcohol and drug use; risky behaviors and health harms to baby, mother and family; high-risk behavior screening as an integral part of care; ATOD use in MN Healthy Start populations; tools to combat the culture of addiction; and service models that reach communities of color, pregnant teens and those struggling with mental illness or chemical dependence. For more information, contact Patty Graham at 612-596-0743 or email .


June 10, 2008
Working Upstream: Foundations of Healthy Behavior Change in Teens

1:15 – 4:30 p.m.
Minnesota Department of Health
1645 Energy Park Drive, St. Paul
Free (offered through a training partnership of MHP, Twin Cities Healthy Start and MDH Office of Tobacco Prevention and Control)

More than ever before, young people in Minnesota are finding that experimentation with alcohol, drugs, smoking and sex alters their health and life options in negative and unintended ways. This session examines adolescent development and co-existing factors that impact teen risk behaviors. Through interactive participation, Karen Edens of the Eden Group, will formulate strategies to more effectively promote health with teen clients. For more information, contact Patty Graham at 612-596-0743 or email


June 11-13, 2008
HIV/AIDS/STDs and Human Sexuality Education Conference

Kansas City, Missouri

The sixth annual regional conference focusing on HIV/AIDS/STDs and Human Sexuality features two and a half days of keynote presentations and workshops. For more information and registration, see the conference brochure.


June 12, 2008
Promoting Health Equity: Family-Centered Program Development and Advocacy

8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
University of Minnesota Continuing Education and Conference Center – St. Paul Campus
1890 Buford Avenue, St. Paul

The 10th Annual Maternal and Child Health Summer Institute on Health Disparities, presented by the Center for Leadership Education in Maternal and Child Public Health, will examine how the universal experience of family-and its diverse definitions-can be integrated into family-centered programs and policies that enhance family resilience and improve individual and population health. For more information and registration, visit  www.epi.umn.edu or contact Jan Pearson, 612-626-8644, .


June 12-13, 2008
Issues in Working with Teen Parents

Anoka/Washington County Head Start
9574 Foley Blvd., Coon Rapids

This two-day session offers constructive insights into teen parents, their children and the issues they face. Topics include adolescent brain development; parallel developmental needs of teen parent and child; techniques to enhance teen parents’ feelings of confidence and competence and strategies to help them transition into adulthood; strategies to address the special family dynamics and multigenerational issues teen parents face; strategies to facilitate father involvement; and parent group meetings and personal visits.

Registration fee of $300 includes the 800+ page Issues in Working with Teen Parents curriculum. For more information or a registration form, contact Jennifer Barshack, 612-332-7563 x 305, .


June 20-21, 2008
MAWA’s 3rd African Women in the Diaspora Conference 2008

University of Minnesota Law School
229 South 19th Avenue, Minneapolis

This bi-annual conference is a full day of speakers, panels and presenters who address issues currently facing African women. It provides educators, social workers, diversity officers, legal advocates, students and health and other service providers with best practices for interacting with African women and their families in the areas of health and education, socio-economics, youth development and much more. For more information, visit www.mawanet.org.


June 26, 2008
From Research to Practice: Designing Youth-Friendly Reproductive Health Services

11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
An HCET LearningLink Audio 4th Thursday Series Training

This audio conference, designed for health educators, family planning clinic staff and youth-serving professionals, nurses and nurse practitioners, reviews the latest social science research on adolescent contraceptive use, addresses best practices for youth-friendly reproductive health services, explores ways to expand contraceptive and condom access for underserved teens, and provides information on replicable, evaluated programs.  Registration by June 25th is required to receive dial-in information and handouts.  There is a $25 fee for this session.  Registration is based on the number of phone lines used by an agency or individual, not by the number of listeners.  Registrations after June 20 are subject to a $15 late fee.  Register online here.

**Note: This program will be offered in St. Paul, MN on August 11, 2008.**


June 27, 2008
National HIV Testing Day

9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Minneapolis Urban League – Glover-Sudduth Center
2100 Plymouth Avenue North, Minneapolis

FREE anonymous and confidential HIV antibody tests will be offered at the Minneapolis Urban League’s Glover-Sudduth Center. No appointment necessary and walk-ins are welcome. For more information about the testing procedure, contact Rob at (612) 302-3132, or Kris at (612) 302-3149.


July 9-10, 2008
Girls Circle Facilitator Training

8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
House of Hope Church
797 Summit Avenue, St. Paul

This workshop from the Girls Circle provides adults with a solid, progressive framework of applicable skills to facilitate gender-specific programs for girls. The training includes instruction in using a strengths-based, skill building approach to create a safe space for girls to address risky behaviors, build on protective factors and improve relationships in a format that interests and engages girls. The Girls Circle is a non profit organization and a Project of the Tides Center. For more information, download the training brochure.