MOAPPP August 2010 E-Monthly

MOAPPP Staff Transition

After four years as MOAPPP’s Policy Director, Lorie Alveshere has taken a new position with the Greater Twin Cities United Way. In addition to tracking local, state and federal policy initiatives, Lorie provided outstanding leadership to the Coalition for Responsible Sex Ed, the Minneapolis Urban Initiative and the development of policy approaches to support teen parents. Please join us in wishing Lorie well, and thanking her for her leadership in carrying MOAPPP’s policy agenda forward.

Gubernatorial Candidates Answer Questions on Children’s Issues

MOAPPP is a member of the Minnesota Children’s Platform Coalition, which recently asked gubernatorial candidates to answer a set of questions on children’s issues. The responses of those who replied are posted here. Please pass this information on to your clients and others.

Mark Your Calendars!

October 10, 2010, 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Minnesota State Capitol
10,000 March and Rally for Children

MOAPPP is collaborating with the Young Leaders of Children’s Defense Fund – MN in organizing a march and rally to speak out for the children of Minnesota to put their needs on the election campaign agenda as a priority. Many activities are planned for the afternoon. Please visit the Children’s Defense Fund website for the day’s agenda.

Become a 2010 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.

Other Announcements

Federal Legislation Introduced: Comprehensive Pregnant and Parent Student Access to Education

Healthy Teen Network and the National Women’s Law Center are pleased to announce the introduction of the Pregnant and Parenting Students Access to Education Act (H.R. 5894). This legislation aims to improve high school graduation rates, college- and career-readiness, and access to postsecondary opportunities for pregnant and parenting students. When passed, it will provide formula funding to all states, and competitive funding to school districts, to ensure that pregnant and parenting students have equal access to and succeed in educational opportunities. A fact sheet (PDF) on the legislation, and the original bill (PDF) are available online. For further information, visit Healthy Teen Network’s Action Alert web page or www.nwlc.org.

For Youth

Young People: Tell Researchers About Your Technology Use

Are you between the ages of 13 and 25? Do you use the Internet and other technologies? The Family and Communication Technology research project, sponsored by the University of Minnesota, is looking for adolescents and young adults who use the Internet and other communication technology to participate in an online research study. The study involves filling out a 15-minute online survey about which technologies you use and how you use them to communicate with your family. Participants will have the option of being entered into a drawing to win one of ten $50 Amazon.com gift cards. If you are interested in participating or have any questions about the study, visit www.cehd.umn.edu or contact Dr. Jodi Dworkin at [email protected].

In the News

First Ever National HIV/AIDS Strategy

The first ever U.S. national HIV/AIDS strategy (PDF) was released in July, promising to better coordinate HIV/AIDS programs and ensure that all Americans have access to care. Melody Barnes, director of the White House Domestic Policy Council, discussed the Obama administration’s new national strategy. To learn more, visit www.siecus.org.

Advocating for Birth Control as a Preventive Service

Advocates are lobbying to have birth control included in the list of no-cost prevention items available in health insurance products. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will select an independent panel of physicians, nurses, scientists and other health professionals to determine the coverage requirements for a supplemental list of women’s preventive services that are not already addressed in government-supported guidelines. To learn more, visit www.nationalpartnership.org.

ACOG Recommends Against Pap Tests Before Age 21

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recently released new guidelines indicating that Pap smears are not indicated for young women under the age of 21, except in specific circumstances. To learn more, visit www.nationalpartnership.org.

What Works and What Doesn’t

This thought-provoking article from the Brookings Institution details the effectiveness of federally funded programs for children and youth.

New Resources

Solutions-Oriented Stories Can Make a Difference

Douglas Gould and Company outline suggestions for emphasizing solutions in gathering community support for your programs in this video and monograph (PDF).

U.S. Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use 2010

This chart (PDF) from the CDC is a summary of the U.S. Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use. The color coded-chart can be printed double sided, laminated and used by health care providers when counseling patients.

New Edition of Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Knowledge Path

This is an electronic guide to resources that measure, document and monitor adolescent pregnancy; identify risk and protective factors; and report on promising intervention strategies. The knowledge path is intended for use by health and social service professionals, policymakers and researchers. Separate sections identify resources for families and schools.

Teen Sexual Behavior and Contraceptive Use: A Summary of Data from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2009

This Science Says research brief (PDF) from the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy provides a summary of the 2009 YRBS data on sexual behavior and contraceptive use among high school students.

State Minor Consent Laws Summary

The Center for Adolescent Health & the Law has released the third edition of State Minor Consent Laws: A Summary. This 300-page monograph includes for each state a general overview of how the state’s laws address minor consent and a specific summary, with citations, of each relevant law. Ordering information is available at www.cahl.org.

What Works for Home Visiting Programs

A new Child Trends fact sheet, What Works for Home Visiting Programs (PDF), synthesizes the findings from 66 rigorous evaluations of programs with a home visiting component.

New Research

Adolescent Girls with a Physical Disability at Increased Risk for Sexual Violence

This study, using data from the 2005 U.S. National Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), found that adolescent girls in the United States with a physical disability or long-term health problem may be at increased risk for sexual violence. It is important that national efforts to reduce sexual violence consider how to address the unmet needs of children and adolescents with disabilities. As most adolescent girls spend the majority of their time in a school setting, it is of particular importance that school health professionals are aware of the current findings.

Dating Violence and Substance Use Among Ethnically Diverse Adolescents

This study examined the association between dating violence victimization and the use of a variety of licit and illicit substances among 1,565 ethnically diverse and economically disadvantaged high school students in southeast Texas.

Preconception Care Nursing Opportunities with Adolescents

This study performed a retrospective chart review in a federally funded, urban adolescent care clinic using medical records for 108 pregnant women under the age of 19. Results indicate that nurses who provide care to adolescents should take advantage of the opportunity to discuss future pregnancies and to use healthcare visits to teach about preconception health even if the adolescent does not express a desire to become pregnant. Teens require thorough teaching about healthcare risks such as smoking cessation, body weight control, interpersonal violence and the need for folic acid.

Health Behavior and Intimate Partner Violence in Adolescent Women

Results of this study reveal that adolescent women reporting intimate partner violence and forced sexual intercourse are more likely to participate in health-compromising behaviors and less likely to participate in health-enhancing behaviors.

Influence of Romantic Attachment and Intimate Partner Violence on Non-Suicidal Self-Injury in Young Adults

This study examined the role of romantic attachment and the experience of intimate partner violence (physical, psychological, and sexual) on non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) in 537 18-25 year-olds who were involved in a romantic relationship. The results reveal that anxiety over abandonment was a significant predictor of NSSI thoughts and behaviors in women and a significant predictor of NSSI thoughts in men. Moreover, the experience of intimate partner violence emerged as a significant predictor of NSSI behaviors in both men and women.

Neighborhood Predictors of Dating Violence Victimization and Perpetration in Young Adulthood: A Multilevel Study

This study indicates that both males and females are perpetrating dating violence in young adults and that community-level strategies may be useful in preventing dating violence.

What Does She Expect When She Dresses Like That? Teacher Interpretation of Emerging Adolescent Female Sexuality

This study conducted with urban and rural middle- and high school teachers in a southeastern state found that girls continue to be placed in contradictory positions concerning sexuality, that adverse sexual labels continue to serve as a means of sexual harassment that many teachers do not recognize, and that perceptions of sexuality and acceptable behavior remain deeply embedded in race and class issues.

Human Papillomavirus Vaccination of Males: Attitudes and Perceptions of Physicians Who Vaccinate Females

This study is an assessment of physicians’ attitudes towards HPV vaccination for males. The results show that physicians who currently vaccinate females against HPV supported the concept of vaccinating males for its benefits for both sexes. Read the abstract here.

Impact of a Parent-Child Sexual Communication Campaign: Results from a Controlled Efficacy Trial of Parents

This study examined the efficacy of the Parents Speak Up National Campaign (PSUNC) at increasing parent-child sexual communication. Researchers tested whether certain norms within the curriculum predicted increased topical parent-child communication. Results indicated that norms related to “appropriate age for sexual initiation and outcome expectations…were predictive of communication.” Researchers concluded that the PSUNC media materials were successful at impacting parent-child interactions but that future study is needed to address other theoretical frameworks. Read the abstract here.

Unpredicted Trajectories: The Relationship Between Race/Ethnicity, Pregnancy During Adolescence, and Young Women’s Outcomes

This study examined whether adolescents from racial/ethnic minority groups are less affected by adolescent pregnancy compared to white adolescents. Black and American Indian young women had significantly higher odds than white young women of receiving public assistance and even higher odds if ever pregnant in adolescence. White young women had significantly lower odds of high educational attainment if they had a live birth in adolescence as compared to those who had not. The study shows that, for educational attainment, black young women who become pregnant may not be as disadvantaged as their peers, whereas white young women who become pregnant are more disadvantaged. Read the abstract here.

Growth in Adolescent Delinquency and Alcohol Use in Relation to Young Adult Crime, Alcohol Use Disorders, and Risky Sex: a Comparison of Youth from Low- Versus Middle-income Backgrounds

This study examined adolescent delinquency and alcohol use in relation to young adult crime, alcohol use disorders (AUDs) and risky sex. Late childhood delinquent involvement was associated with young adult crime, AUDs, and risky sex indirectly through adolescent delinquency, and had a persistent direct effect on crime. Adolescent delinquency also mediated the relation between early sex onset and crime. Early alcohol use predicted a higher level of, and a faster rate of increase in, adolescent drinking, which predicted, in turn, young adult AUDs and risky sex. Significant group differences indicated stronger associations between adolescent delinquency and each young adult outcome for youth from low- compared to those from middle-income backgrounds.

Preventing Teen Pregnancy is Critical to School Completion

This policy brief (PDF) written by National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, in partnership with America’s Promise Alliance, discusses the critical importance of preventing teen pregnancy in order to encourage school completion.

How Out-of-School Time Program Quality is Related to Adolescent Outcomes

A new Child Trends research brief (PDF) finds positive outcomes for adolescents in high-quality out-of-school time programs, but no significant differences between adolescents in low-quality programs and those not in a program at all.

Sexual Risk Taking Among Transgender Male-to-Female Youth

Researchers examined associations between partner types and sexual risk behaviors of sexually active male-to-female (transgender female) youths. Transgender female youths were less likely to use condoms during receptive anal intercourse with their main partner and were less likely to use condoms with a main partner while under the influence of substances. The authors conclude that research and interventions that focus on understanding and mitigating risk behaviors by partner type, especially those that tackle the unique risks incurred with main partners, may make important contributions to risk reduction among transgender female youth. Read the abstract here.

MOAPPP Events

August 19, 2010
What About the Baby? Nurturing Healthy Attachment in Young Families

9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Building for Women
32 East 1st Street, Duluth

Early learning happens in the context of relationships. This workshop focuses on the importance of relationship—between adolescent parents and their children and between young families and the professionals who work with them. It offers insight into the strengths and challenges faced by young parents, the competing developmental agendas of adolescent parents and their children, and strategies for promoting relationships that lead to the healthy development of both parent and child (this workshop has been offered in the past under that title, Relationship Matters).

For more information and to register, see the flyer and registration form (PDF). Click here to register online. Questions? Contact Sue at 651-644-1447 x15, [email protected].

September 14, 2010
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, serving people on the transgender spectrum, a political update and more. This workshop is designed for nurses, clinicians, health educators, and anyone interested in current information on reproductive health issues. Nursing and CHES continuing education contact hours will be offered for this training. A pre-conference male exam training is planned for September 13. For more information, visit www.hcet.org. Registration information for both the pre-conference male exam and the Reproductive Health Update can be found here (PDF).

Sponsored by the Region V Training Project of Health Care Education & Training. Co-sponsored by the Cincinnati STD/HIV Prevention Training Center, MOAPPP and the Healthy Youth Development Prevention Research Center – Division of Adolescent Health and Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, University of Minnesota.

September 23, 2010
Teen Pregnancy Prevention 101

9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Community Room at Snell Motors
1900 Madison Avenue, Mankato
This training is offered twice a year at various locations across Minnesota.

This training is intended for professionals new to the field of adolescent pregnancy prevention. Participants review the basics of adolescent pregnancy prevention including pregnancy, birth and STI statistics; trends in adolescent pregnancy and sexual behaviors; basics of adolescent growth and development; risk and protective factors associated with adolescent pregnancy; and prevention strategies that work. Each participant will leave with a basic understanding of current research and resources, what to do to promote adolescent sexual health and where to go for more information and support. For more information and to register, see the flyer and registration form (PDF). Click here to register online. Questions? Contact Jocelyn at 651-644-1447 x 19, [email protected].

September 27-28, 2010
It’s That Easy! Parent Educator Training

8:45 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Center for Families
3333 North Fourth Street, Minneapolis

If you work with parents/caregivers of children aged 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! resource manual, a comprehensive guide designed to help you work with parents in your community. For more information and to register, see the flyer and registration form (PDF). Click here to register online. Questions? Contact Jocelyn at 651-644-1447 x 19, [email protected].

This training is designed to equip professionals working directly with parents/caregiver, with information and strategies to assist parents/caregiver in raising sexually healthy children. This is not a training of trainers’ event.

September 30, 2010
Access to Education for Pregnant and Parenting Teens

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

This forum will delve into the meaning and scope of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 with respect to the prevention of discrimination against students who are pregnant and/or parenting. Forum objectives include:

How the law protects access to education for pregnant and parenting students: Title IX is not just about sports!
The unique needs of pregnant and parenting students.
What do pregnant and parenting students need to stay in school, graduate and move on to post-secondary schools and/or job opportunities?
How can districts provide programming to meet those needs and help students graduate?

There will be content for both administrators and those who work directly with students. Plenary session by Lara Kaufmann of the National Women’s Law Center.

For more information and to register manually, see the flyer and registration form (PDF).

Click here for the direct student contact track online registration form
Click here for the policy track online registration form

Questions? Contact Sue at 651-644-1447 x 15, [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 2010. For additional information, visit www.coalitionforsexed.org.

No Coalition events in August.

Other Events

August 13, 2010
Sexual Violence is a Public Health Issue…Let’s Make it a Public Health Priority!

10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Snelling Office Park
1645 Energy Park Drive, St. Paul

Join this panel of prevention partners to learn more about what’s being done in Minnesota to stop sexual violence. Videoconference sites include St. Paul and the MDH District Offices: Bemidji, Marshall, Duluth, Rochester, Fergus Falls, St. Cloud, and Mankato, as well as the following government office locations: Brainerd (Crow Wing), Crookston (Polk), Detroit Lakes (Becker), Moorhead (Clay), Mora (Kanabec), Red Wing (Goodhue), Rochester (Olmsted) and Worthington (Nobles). Registration is required for all locations (by Wednesday, August 11, 2010). RSVP to [email protected] indicating your name, contact information and location you will be attending.

August 16, 2010
Parents Are Sexuality Educators

6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Planned Parenthood MN/ND/SD
1200 Lagoon Avenue, Minneapolis

Whether you’re a parent now, plan to be one in the future, or have grandchildren, siblings, nieces and nephews or other young people in your life, join us for a special education night for Planned Parenthood’s volunteers and other friends of Planned Parenthood from the community, to learn about how you can be educated and helpful to youth when talking about sex.

The evening will be an opportunity to explore how we define sexuality, how to talk with kids, what kids should know at various developmental stages, and tips on keeping your cool.

RSVP today at 651-696-5506 or [email protected]. Mention if you’re bringing friends, and also what age(s) of child(ren) you’d like information on.

August 17, 2010
Webinar: Adolescent and Young Adult Health in the Post Reform Era

12:00 – 1:30 p.m. (CDT)

The National Institute for Health Care Management (NIHCM) Foundation will present a webinar on Adolescent and Young Adult Health in the Post Reform Era. This webinar will bring together health plans and leaders in the adolescent health community to discuss the impact of health reform on access to high-quality, confidential health care services for adolescents and young adults. A draft agenda (PDF) is available online. Registration is available online here.

August 19, 2010
Using Digital Media to Reach Teens and Young Adults: An Update

The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy will host a webinar focused on using digital media to reach teens and young adults. Presenters will provide a brief update on some of the projects that were presented at the digital media conference last summer as well as a discussion of several more new and exciting projects. If you are unable to attend the webinar, a recording will be available on The National Campaign’s website. Meeting details, including registration, can be found here.

October 7, 2010
Advancing Our Care for the Sexual Assault Patient

7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
1430 Maryland Avenue East, St. Paul

This one-day skills-building training will provide relevant information for medical professionals who treat sexual assault patients, whether those patients present hours, days or months post-assault. Medical professionals of all skill levels and disciplines are welcome and encouraged to attend. For more information, see the event flyer (PDF). To register, click here.

Funding Opportunities

RFP Issued for Ripley Memorial Foundation Grants

The Ripley Memorial Foundation—a Donor Advised fund of the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota—issued a Request for Proposals for direct-service programs that focus on teen pregnancy prevention.

Applicants may be located in either Hennepin or Ramsey counties, and priority is given to comprehensive programs that employ best practices and which serve populations experiencing the highest rate of teen pregnancy.

The application deadline is 5:00 p.m. on August 27, 2010.

For more information and to apply for a grant, click here.