MOAPPP August 2009 E-Monthly

MOAPPP Membership: Headed in the Right Direction, But…

Thank you and welcome to the four individuals who became MOAPPP members last month! Those four people will benefit from:

reduced rates at MOAPPP’s conference and trainings
access to MOAPPP’s library
reviews of recommended sexual health curricula
a comprehensive online events calendar
subscriptions to MOAPPP’s newsletters
inclusion in public policy and advocacy initiatives

MOAPPP hoped to increase membership by 10% this fiscal year, which ends September 30th. Perhaps 146 new members by then is a bit of stretch, even for us—so how about 50 of you?

Visit our Membership page to join the MOAPPP network today!

Training Coordinator Position

MOAPPP seeks a dynamic, enthusiastic person to coordinate its conference and training agenda. This .4 position will work closely with the Conference Planning Committee and Program Team to guide the development and delivery of MOAPPP’s annual conference, trainings and educational forums. For more information, visit our website.

You Are Invited to Become a 2009 Let’s Talk Month Partner!

Let’s Talk Month is only two months away! We encourage you to start planning now for an activity during the month of October to promote LTM’s key message that parents are their children’s primary sexual health educators. For more information about what it means to be a LTM partner, as well as how to sign up, visit the LTM page of the MOAPPP website.

For Youth

MPR News Wants to Hear from Teens

Minnesota Public Radio has launched a project called My First Recession. The goal is to give teens a creative outlet for expressing the toll of the recession in their lives—and to use the teens’ stories as a catalyst for a deeper conversation about how recessions shape our lives.

MPR has created a form that young people 13 and older can use to share their experiences. Stories can be submitted as short essays, songs, videos or in any format of their choosing. For more information, contact Molly Bloom, Minnesota Public Radio News, [email protected] or 651-290-1370.

Be Heard! Sounding Board Contest

Girlshealth.gov is giving girls between the ages of 9 and 14 a chance to be a member of their Sounding Board—a group of girls who share their opinions about everything from what’s going on in their lives to what’s new on their website. Visit www.girlshealth.gov for more information.

In the News

Preventing Unintended Pregnancies, Reducing the Need for Abortion and Supporting Parents Act Introduced

Earlier this month, Representatives Ryan and DeLauro introduced a bill to improve sexual health outcomes for young people. Components of the bill include (among others) funding for afterschool programs, campaigns to include parents in teen pregnancy prevention and funding for comprehensive sex education programs. The bill has been referred to the Congressional Committee on Energy and Commerce. Advocates are supportive of this combination of policy initiatives in support of adolescent sexual health. To learn more, read this statement from SIECUS.

Institute of Medicine Panel Includes Evaluation of Pregnancy Prevention Measures in Comparative Effectiveness Report

This report lists 100 health topics that should be prioritized as the Obama administration seeks to increase cost-effectiveness in medicine. Panel recommendations include researching the effectiveness of strategies including “over-the-counter access to oral contraceptives or other hormonal methods, expanding access to long-acting methods for young women, [and] providing free contraceptive methods at public clinics, pharmacies or other locations.” To learn more, visit www.nationalpartnership.org.

Washington Times Examines Proposed Teen Pregnancy Prevention Initiative in Obama Budget Plan

The Washington Times recently included a two-part series examining President Obama’s proposed reallocation of abstinence-only sex education funding in his 2010 budget plan (PDF). To learn more, visit www.nationalpartnership.org.

Why At-Risk Kids Engage in High-Risk Behavior

A new study by the University of Minnesota shows that kids who believe they are going to die young often engage in risky behaviors. Read the MPR NewsQ report.

Preventing Pregnancy Among Youth in Foster Care: Remarks for Congressional Roundtable

On July 16, 2009, Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA) moderated a Congressional roundtable discussion, “Preventing Teen Pregnancy and Promoting Healthy Relationships Among Youth in Foster Care.” The agenda included a research summary of the Midwest Evaluation of the Adult Functioning of Foster Youth, which found that by age 19, nearly one-half of young women had been pregnant, and nearly one third had given birth. The relevance of the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 to pregnancy prevention was discussed. Read the report.

The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy has published the following resources from this roundtable:

Briefly: Opportunities to Help Youth in Foster Care (PDF)
Fast Facts: Reproductive Health Outcomes Among Youth Who Ever Lived in Foster Care (PDF)

Other resources available from this event:

Fostering Solutions for the High Rates of Teen Pregnancy in Foster Care—this July 21 Pregnant Pause post by Campaign staffer Jennifer Drake talks in detail about the Campaign’s new partnership with Planned Parenthood Federation of America, the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, and the National Foster Care Coalition.

Time magazine’s Amy Sullivan focuses her attention on foster care in this week’s issue with her piece, “Teen Pregnancy: Reaching Epidemic Levels in Foster Care” (PDF).

New Resources

Free Downloads of the F.L.A.S.H. Curriculum from Washington State

The Family Life and Sexual Health curriculum (F.L.A.S.H.) is a comprehensive sexuality education curriculum containing lesson plans for 4th-12th grades, including 28 lessons for special education. The curriculum has been adopted and widely used by school districts in King County, WA, as well as throughout the US and Canada. Developed by Seattle & King County Public Health, F.L.A.S.H. is considered a ‘promising’ rather than a ‘proven’ program, as the curriculum has yet to be rigorously evaluated, but meets most of the 17 characteristics of effective curriculum-based programs as outlined by Dr. Douglas Kirby.

The Minnesota Sexuality Education Resource Review Panel has reviewed two resources from FLASH. Reviews are available on MOAPPP’s website:

New Research

The Role of Policy Advocacy in Assuring Comprehensive Family Life Education in California

The California Wellness Foundation funded 18 state and local organizations to conduct policy advocacy to strengthen teen pregnancy prevention policies. This article describes how some of these grantees accomplished noteworthy goals, including the passage of the California Comprehensive Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Prevention Education Act (SB71), the prevention of the state’s pursuit of federal “abstinence-only-until-marriage” funding, and the passage of a local school district FLE policy.

Attitudes and Beliefs Concerning Sexual Relationships Among Minority Adolescent Women

This study presents the groundwork needed to understand the contextual meanings of sexual relationships of adolescent females with a history of interpersonal violence and discusses the evolution of these adolescents’ attitudes and beliefs for sexual health promotion.

HIV Testing Among High School Students – United States, 2007

Early diagnosis of HIV infection facilitates medical interventions and enables infected persons to reduce high-risk behavior and the likelihood of further HIV transmission. To determine the extent to which adolescents are being tested for HIV, data from the 2007 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) (the most recent data available) were analyzed. The results indicated that nationwide, 12.9% of all high school students had ever been tested for HIV. Read the full report.

The Path and Promise of Fatherhood for Gang Members

In an analysis of gang members and criminal desistance, this study examined fatherhood as a potential turning point in the lives of gang members in the San Francisco Bay area. Policy implications are presented and discussed in this study as well.

Associations Between Parenting Behaviors and Adolescent Romantic Relationships

This study examined associations between parenting behaviors and romantic relationship qualities in 102 adolescent girls 14-21 years of age who lived with their parent/parental figure and had current boyfriends. Adolescent girls’ perceptions that parents were accepting/involved and provided appropriate strictness and supervision were significantly related to adolescent girls’ perceptions of mutuality within their own romantic relationships, which in turn was related to their romantic relationship satisfaction. Read the abstract.

New Guttmacher Institute Brief on STIs in the United States

This new brief (PDF) from the Guttmacher Institute contains information on the incidence, prevalence, disparities, testing, prevention, testing and treatment of the most common STIs in the US.

Interest in IUDs Among Seekers of Emergency Contraception and Pregnancy Testing

Researchers surveyed women and adolescent girls seeking emergency contraception or walk-in pregnancy testing to identify their interest in using IUDs. Results of the survey included that 12% of women and adolescent girls surveyed expressed interest in same-day insertion of an IUD, and 22% wanted more information about IUDs. Read the abstract.

Why Don’t Youth Take Advantage of Out-of-School Time Programs? Two New Child Trends Briefs

Two new Child Trends briefs present information about youth who are not involved with out-of-school time programs. Identified barriers to participation include programs that are located in unsafe or unfamiliar neighborhoods to program participation being perceived in a negative light by parents and/or peers.

Why Teens Are Not Involved in Out-of-School Time Programs: The Youth Perspective (PDF)
Non-Participation of Children and Adolescents in Out-of-School Time Programs: Child, Family, and Neighborhood Factors (PDF)

Considerations for the Definition, Measurement, Consequences and Prevention of Dating Violence Victimization Among Adolescent Girls.

Violence experienced by adolescent girls from their dating partners poses considerable threat to their health and well-being. This report provides an overview of the prevalence and consequences of heterosexual teen dating violence and highlights the need for comprehensive prevention approaches to dating violence. It also discusses some considerations and future directions for the study and prevention of dating violence.

The National HIV Prevention Inventory: The State of HIV Prevention Across the U.S.

This report (PDF) provides the first comprehensive inventory of how HIV prevention is delivered across the country, based on a survey of the 65 health departments receiving direct federal HIV prevention funding, including every state and territory, plus six cities. The report was authored by researchers at the Kaiser Family Foundation and the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors.

Youth in Minnesota Correctional Facilities: Responses to the 2007 Minnesota Student Survey

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Justice Programs has released its report (PDF): 2009 Youth in Correctional Facilities – Responses to the 2007 Minnesota Student Survey. This comprehensive report examines the responses to the 2007 Minnesota Student Survey of youth in Minnesota’s juvenile correctional facilities as compared to a match group of youth in mainstream schools. It explores the similarities and differences between these two populations of students on a variety of risk and protective factors such as school connectedness, family and community support and connection, drug and alcohol use, violence, victimization and health behaviors.

New Report from CDC: Improvements in Sexual and Reproductive Health of Teens and Young Adults Slowing

After a period of improvement, trends in the sexual and reproductive health of U.S. adolescents and young adults have flattened, or in some instances may be worsening, according to a new report from the CDC. Among the signs that progress has halted in some areas—adolescent birth rates increased in 2006 and 2007, following large declines from 1991-2005. AIDS cases and syphilis cases have also increased in recent years. The report also highlights the racial/ethnic disparities that exist among young people. Read the full report (PDF).

American Indian/Alaska Native Youth and Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention

This Science Says research brief focuses on adolescent childbearing among Native American youth in the United States and includes information about sexual and contraceptive behavior, attitudes about sex and reproductive health and information about potential programs for this population. The Live It! sexuality education and teen pregnancy prevention program through the Division of Indian Work in Minneapolis, MN is featured in this brief.

MOAPPP Events

September 15, 2009
Minnesota Reproductive Health Update

8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
University of Minnesota Continuing Education and Conference Center
1890 Buford Ave, St Paul

This training provides the latest information in reproductive health practice, research and technology. Specialists in the field will address contraceptive technologies, updates on STI/HIV and emergency contraception, domestic violence screening, family planning and the environment, and issues in sexual health for special populations. This workshop is designed for nurses, clinicians, health educators and anyone interested in current information on reproductive health issues. Both nursing and CHES continuing education contact hours will be offered for this training.

For more information, visit www.hcet.org. For registration details, see the instructions (PDF).

Sponsored by Health Care Education and Training, Inc. Co-sponsored by Healthy Youth Development-Prevention Research Center, Division of Adolescent Health and Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, University of Minnesota, MOAPPP and Development Systems, Inc.

September 21, 2009
Access to Education for Pregnant and Parenting Students: Title IX and Beyond

8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Minnesota Department of Education, Room CC16
1500 Highway 36 West, Roseville

This forum features Lara Kaufmann, Senior Counsel of the National Women’s Law Center. It is designed for those who develop school policies, those who implement school policies and all who work with adolescent parents. Attend this training and learn:

How the law protects access to education for pregnant and parenting students: Title IX is not just about sports!
What we know about dropout prevention—best practices
What barriers exist for pregnant and parenting students
What about the boys? Young fathers need support too
What do pregnant and parenting students need to stay in school, graduate and move on to post-secondary schools and/or job opportunities?

For more information, see the flyer and registration form (PDF). Questions? Contact Lorie Alveshere at 651-644-1447 x12 or [email protected]. Registration scholarships and a limited number of travel scholarships are available.

September 23, 2009
Grant Writing Boot Camp™

9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Minnesota Department of Education Conference Center
1500 Highway 36 West, Roseville

Effective grant writing skills are essential to organizational success, but many times drain an agency’s limited resources and end in frustration. This workshop, designed for volunteers, board members and program staff is led by nationally acclaimed expert Dr. Bev Browning. Dr. Browning, author of Grant Writing for Dummies, will share her expertise on how to research and write winning corporate and foundation grant proposals.

For more information and to register, see the flyer and event registration form (PDF). Questions? Contact Jill Farris at 651-644-1447 x18 or [email protected].

This training is made possible through a collaboration with the Minnesota Department of Education.

September 24, 25, 30; October 14, 22, 27, 30 & November 5, 2009
We Can Parent Together
Tools for Engaging Fathers, Mothers and Others

September 24-Fergus Fall
September 25-Bemidji
September 30-Twin Cities Metro Area
October 14-Hermantown
October 22-Owatonna
October 27-Twin Cities Metro Area
October 30-Little Falls
November 5-Redwood Falls

All workshops from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

When parents are consistent and support each other in the task of parenting, children benefit. This workshop presents the basics and benefits of co-parenting, and offers strategies and best practices to utilize in supporting any family working to raise children in a healthy, safe environment. Specific focus will be given to the unique challenges of divorcing and never-married parents, adolescent parents, or those with substance-abuse / dependence-related concerns. This workshop is designed for professionals working with families.

Objectives:

Understand the co-parenting relationship and how it differs from the couple relationship
Learn how to implement strategies and tools to help parents improve their co-parenting relationship
Learn how to talk about the importance of fathers and how to support mothers in engaging fathers
Understand the special needs of teen parents
Assist in empowering parents with prevention strategies and tools specific to substance abuse and dependence
Understand how all the strategies presented can help prevent child abuse and neglect before it happens
Participate in the unveiling of our new web-based co-parenting toolkit for professionals and parents.

Follow this link to register. View the event brochure.

Presented by Minnesota Fathers & Families Network, Prevent Child Abuse Minnesota, Minnesota Prevention Resource Center, Minnesota Organization on Adolescent Pregnancy, Prevention and Parenting, University of Minnesota Extension and Department of Human Services Children’s Trust Fund.

September 28-29, 2009
It’s That Easy!: The Caring Adult’s Guide to Raising Sexually Healthy Children
Professional Somali Women Only Training

8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Center for Families
3333 North Fourth Street, Minneapolis

Are you a Somali woman professional? If you work with Somali families of children birth to 18, you are in a unique position to support them in their critical role as sexuality educators for their children. However, sexuality is not always easy to discuss. Come learn tools and techniques to engage parents/caregivers in developmentally appropriate approaches to raising sexually healthy children. Participants receive the It’s That Easy manual, a comprehensive guide designed to help you work with parents in your community.

Registration details will on MOAPPP’s website calendar soon. Questions? Contact Jocelyn Broyles at 651-644-1447 x19, [email protected].

Special acknowledgements to our partners for their dedication to this project: Healthy Youth Development–Prevention Research Center-U of MN, Health Start/West Side Community Health Services, Saint Paul-Ramsey County Department of Public Health, Sexual Violence Prevention Program-MN Department of Health, Teen Age Medical Service, West Suburban Teen Clinic, Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota International Health Volunteers.

October 5-7, 2009
¡Cuídate!: Training of Educators

Minnesota Department of Education
1500 Highway 36 West, Roseville

¡Cuídate!—which means “take care of yourself”—is a six-session curriculum for use by school districts, faith communities and community organizations that helps youth develop the knowledge, attitudes and skills to reduce their risk for HIV. This evidence-based curriculum, designed for Latino youth ages 13-18, emphasizes risk reduction strategies such as waiting to have sex and condom use while highlighting cultural values that support safer sex, and reframing cultural values that are perceived as barriers to safer sex. In addition to the 3 days of highly interactive training, each participant receives a copy of the ¡Cuídate! curriculum. For more information and to register, see the flyer and event registration form (PDF). Questions? Contact Jill Farris at 651-644-1447 x18 or [email protected].

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 2009. For additional information, visit www.coalitionforsexed.org.

No Coalition events in August.

Other Events

Summer 2009
MACMH Summer Training Series

For everyone who cares for or works with infants, children, or youth. 15 sessions are offered throughout Minnesota, many of which would be of interest to those working with adolescents and with teen parents. For more information, see the event flyer (PDF).

August 10, 2009
Coaching Boys into Men

6:00 – 8:30 p.m.
National Sports Center, Blaine

This free event is hosted by FOX Sports North, the National Sports Center in Blaine, MN Department of Health and the Domestic Violence Council of Anoka County. This purpose is to help coaches build on the already-existing mentoring relationship that they have with their athletes. Attendees will receive free copies of the “Coaching Boys Into Men Playbook” (while supplies last), which provides awareness about the issue of interpersonal violence and “teachable moments” that coaches can use in their own style of coaching. While this event is targeted to any coach of any sport, it is also applicable to those who are a life coach or mentor to a young person. If you have any questions, contact Donna McDonald at 763-422-7047 or [email protected].

August 14, 2009
Parent Involvement Summit

8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Hilton Minneapolis/Bloomington
3900 American Boulevard West, Bloomington

The Parent Involvement Summit brings together parents, educators, administrators and all those interested in learning and doing more to increase parent involvement in students’ academic achievement. Sponsored by Minnesota Parental Information and Resource Center, a project of PACER. For more information and to register, visit www.pacer.org.

August 18, 2009
Premiere Showing of “Be There: Dads Matter”

4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Neighborhood House
179 Robie Street East, St. Paul

A co-production of Dads Make a Difference and TPT, this film explores the importance and positive impact of fathers. Join other community members to hear about the film making process, offer feedback on the film and more. For more information, see the event flyer.

September 1, 2009
Fundamentals of HIV Prevention Counseling

9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Snelling Office Park
1645 Energy Park Drive, St Paul

This 1½ day workshop has been designed to improve the ability of providers in a variety of settings to support individuals in making behavior changes that will reduce their risk of acquiring or transmitting HIV. It is based on a CDC developed curriculum. Cost is $25.00 and 7 CEUs are offered. To register, contact Angela Kotrba, 651-201-4031, [email protected].

September 13-17, 2009
Great Lakes Institute for Community Health Educators (GLICHE)

Hampton Inn Downtown, Indianapolis, IN

GLICHE is an intensive five-day residential training experience for human service professionals working in sexuality, HIV/AIDS, community health and family planning education. The purpose of GLICHE is to strengthen competence and confidence by building practical skills, gaining a toolbox of new resources and networking with others in the field. For more information and to register, click here.

October 2, 2009
How History Affects American Indian Family Dynamics

8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Cloquet Forestry Center, Cloquet

How do the experiences of past generations affect American Indian youth today? An understanding of the experiences of generations past can help increase one’s capacity to work effectively with young people. This conference will guide participants through an introduction to the Boarding School, Adoption and Foster Care Eras. American Indian youth, practitioners and community members will share their experiences through interactive sessions and panel discussions. A “Youth Vision” pre-conference will be held the evening of October 1 to showcase youth-driven digital media projects. Details available here (PDF). Register online here.

October 3 & October 10, 2009
Making the Connections: A Day of Discovery for Mothers and Daughters

October 3-Rochester
October 10-Twin Cities

8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Girls ages 10-12 and their mothers or female mentors are encouraged to connect and communicate. Through dialogue, activities and discussion, we bring an element of fun and lightheartedness to some important topics, including:

Puberty
Healthy sexuality
Family communication and connection

For more information, visit www.plannedparenthood.org.

October 20 & November 6, 2009
Parenting With No Workshop

October 20-Minneapolis
November 6-St. Cloud

Parenting with No, a new workshop from MediaWise with featured speaker Dr. David Walsh, delivers practical, hands-on training based on key messages and strategies from the bestselling book, “No, Why Kids—of All Ages—Need to Hear It and Ways Parents Can Say It” which sparked a statewide movement, Say Yes to No. The workshop is designed for parents as well as teachers, early childhood professionals, social workers, parent educators and health care providers. Optional leader’s training is included and continuing education credits will be available. For more information or to register, visit www.sayyestono.org.