Call for Exhibitors for MOAPPP’s 20th Annual Conference, May 5-6, 2011
Please join us as an exhibitor for the 20th Annual MOAPPP Conference, May 5-6, 2011 at the Earle Brown Heritage Center in Brooklyn Center. The MOAPPP Conference convenes approximately 400 social service and health care providers, educators, advocates, program directors and youth who work to promote adolescent sexual health, prevent adolescent pregnancy, HIV and STIs, and support pregnant and parenting teens in Minnesota. Visit the conference page of the MOAPPP website for more information and an application.
MOAPPP Annual Awards
MOAPPP will confer awards in the following categories at its annual conference:
- Advocate of the Year
- Outstanding Individual of the Year
- Program of the Year
- Teen of the Year
- Judy Ojeda Community Partner of the Year (this award is dedicated to Judy Ojeda, MOAPPP’s former Outreach Coordinator who died unexpectedly in 2009).
To nominate a person or organization in any of these categories, please submit a complete nomination form (PDF) to Brigid Riley, MOAPPP Executive Director at [email protected].
Update on the Coalition for Responsible Sex Ed
For the past 11 years, MOAPPP was a partner in leading the Coalition for Responsible Sex Ed. Formed in 1999 with the Minnesota AIDS Project, the Coalition advocates at the Minnesota state legislature for science-based sex education, while also defending Minnesota’s minors’ consent statute. Today, the Coalition has an active membership of more than 1200 individuals and 55 organizations. MOAPPP’s role has been to keep the field informed and mobilize grassroots efforts in support of these issues. However, due to funding changes, MOAPPP can no longer serve this role and we are in conversation with our partners to determine next steps. These issues remain at the core of MOAPPP’s vision and mission, and our dedication to the health of the young people of Minnesota is unchanged. We will provide further updates when available.
Other Announcements
Grit Youngquist Receives Maternal and Child Health Award
The 21st annual Betty Hubbard Maternal and Child Health Leadership Award was presented in December to Grit Youngquist. The award recognizes leadership and achievements in promoting good health for mothers, children and youth. For more than 21 years, Youngquist has served as the adolescent health and healthy youth development coordinator for Saint Paul – Ramsey County Public Health. Youngquist is widely regarded as a teen pregnancy prevention and healthy youth development expert in Minnesota, and has served on MOAPPP’s Conference Planning Committee for many years. Congratulations, Grit! More information can be found on the Minnesota Department of Health website.
Exciting Opportunity for Pre-Service and Licensed Teachers! – Sexuality Education Residency
The Sexuality Education Residency is a unique opportunity for pre-service and licensed teachers to gain extensive training in delivering sexuality education for school aged youth. Participants earn a $1,000 stipend upon completion, and may arrange for academic credit through their university. The Sexuality Education Residency includes:
- A 4-day intensive training in summer 2011 (meals included)
- A 30-hour field experience paired with a health educator based on your schedule
- Participation in three half-day seminars
The ideal candidate will be one of the following:
- A Pre-Licensed Teacher in any subject area
- A Licensed Teacher seeking a dual Licensure in Health
- A Licensed Teacher outside of Health
Visit the Birds & Bees Project’s website for more information.
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD), February 7, 2011
“It Takes a Village to Fight HIV/AIDS!” will be the theme for NBHAAD 2011. Downloadable materials are available online on the NBHAAD website. For more information, contact Lamont Evans, 1.404.454.5469, [email protected]. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) website has updated its NBHAAD 2011 web pages as well. A Governor’s Proclamation and corresponding news release will be developed by MDH on behalf of NBHAAD 2011.
National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Tuesday, March 10, 2011
March 10, 2011 will mark the fifth annual National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day which seeks to raise awareness of the increasing impact of HIV/AIDS on the lives of women and girls. For more information about the 2011 observance or to download posters and other resources, visit www.aids.gov. Watch the MDH website for local fact sheets, updates and activities.
National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, Friday, March 20, 2011
March 20, 2011 will mark the fifth annual National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. This day is an opportunity to increase awareness of the impact of HIV/AIDS on American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians. For more information about National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day and for downloadable resources, visit www.nnaapc.org, www.happ.colostate.edu and www.itcaonline.com. Watch the MDH website for local fact sheets, updates and activities here. A Governor’s Proclamation and corresponding news release will be developed by MDH on behalf of the observance.
For Youth
Applications Now Open to become a Great American Condom Campaign Spring Semester SafeSite
The Great American Condom Campaign is a youth-led grassroots movement to reduce unintended pregnancies and the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections by normalizing condom use on college and university campuses. Students from across the country apply to become SafeSites, individual condom distribution points, and receive a box of 500 Trojan condoms to distribute to their peers. SafeSites are also tasked with educating their peers about safer sex and advocating on campus and within their community for the sexual and reproductive health rights of young adults. Sound like fun? Apply online now!
In the News
Despite Claiming Abstinence, Young Adults Test Positive for STDs
A new report about the sex habits of young adults has turned up a worrisome discrepancy. Researchers tested 14,000 young men and women for the STDs chlamydia, gonorrhea and trichomoniasis. Among those who had an STD, 10 percent claimed that they abstained from sex. The author acknowledges that some of the survey participants were “being dishonest” about their sex lives. Lying, however, doesn’t fully explain the discrepancy. Some young adults may have simply forgotten that they had sex or acquired the infections before the 12-month period they were asked about in the survey. The discrepant reporting occurred equally among all young adults. There were no differences by gender, race, age or ethnicity. Regardless of the reasons, the study authors say their findings highlight some of the ambiguity contained in self-reports of young people’s sex lives. They advise health professionals to exercise caution when using such reports to examine STD risk.
New Resources
New Dating Matters Website from CDC
Dating Matters is a free, online course available to educators, school personnel, youth leaders and others working to improve the health of teens. It features interviews with leading experts, dynamic graphics and interactive exercises, and compelling storytelling to describe what teen dating violence is and how to prevent it. Visit www.vetoviolence.org for more information.
New Research
- New Report from CDC: Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines, 2010
- Childhood Sexual Abuse is a Risk Factor for Adult Sexual Risk Behavior
- “Am I Qualified? How Do I Know?” A Qualitative Study of Sexuality Educators’ Training Experiences
- Variation in Sexual Behaviors in a Cohort of Adolescent Females: The Role of Personal, Perceived Peer and Perceived Family Attitudes
- Is the Internet Filling the Sexual Health Information Gap for Teens? An Exploratory Study
New Report from CDC: Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines, 2010
These guidelines for the treatment of persons who have or are at risk for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) were updated by CDC after consultation with a group of professionals knowledgeable in the field of STDs who met in Atlanta on April 18-30, 2009. The information in this report updates the 2006 Guidelines for Treatment of STDs. View the report.
Childhood Sexual Abuse is a Risk Factor for Adult Sexual Risk Behavior
This study from Child Maltreatment found that childhood sexual abuse (CSA) was uniquely associated with adult sexual risk behavior (i.e., percentage of episodes of unprotected sex in the past three months and number of lifetime partners). The authors found little support for an additive or an interactive model of the effects of different types of childhood maltreatment on adult sexual risk behavior; CSA alone was the best predictor of adult sexual risk behavior. Sexual risk reduction interventions are needed for women who were sexually abused as children.
“Am I Qualified? How Do I Know?” A Qualitative Study of Sexuality Educators’ Training Experiences
National Health Education Standards focus on key concepts and skills around health issues, including sexuality. However, little is known about the extent to which classroom teachers are trained to deliver sexuality education. The authors of this article explored pre-service training experiences and needs of sexuality educators in Minnesota. Teachers described being unprepared for their first year of teaching sexuality education, and they had numerous suggestions for ways their training could have better prepared them to teach sexuality education, such as ways of working with culturally diverse students. The authors conclude that training programs to prepare sexuality educators are not adequately preparing teachers for their multifaceted role. Findings point to the need to train sexuality educators differently than teachers for other subjects. Results also indicate that training programs should greatly expand their offerings, tighten requirements and hone methodologies in sexuality education to meet the needs of today’s teachers and students. This article is not yet available online. Citation: Eisenberg ME, Madsen N, Oliphant JA, Sieving RE, Resnick M. “Am I Qualified? How Do I Know?” A Qualitative Study of Sexuality Educators’ Training Experiences. Am J Health Educ. 2010; 41(6):337-344.
Variation in Sexual Behaviors in a Cohort of Adolescent Females: The Role of Personal, Perceived Peer and Perceived Family Attitudes
Researchers sought to describe how personal, perceived peer and perceived family attitudes toward adolescent sexual activity influence sexual behaviors of adolescent females’ over time. Participants completed quarterly and annual questionnaires over a span of four years, and included information about engagement in eight sexual behaviors. Participants’ personal attitudes toward adolescent sex were the strongest predictor of engagement in all eight sexual behaviors even after controlling for perceived peer and perceived family attitudes. Female adolescent’s personal attitudes toward abstinence appear to be the strongest predictor of engagement in a variety of sexual behaviors. The authors conclude that efforts to influence adolescent attitudes toward abstinence may be an important approach to reducing sexual behaviors that increase the risk of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. Read the abstract.
Is the Internet Filling the Sexual Health Information Gap for Teens? An Exploratory Study
At the same time that there was a decline in comprehensive school-based sex education, adolescents’ use of the Internet became nearly universal. This study explores adolescents’ use and evaluation of the Internet for sexual health information, with a focus on the issues of contraception and abstinence. Most of the teens interviewed were wary of sexual health information on the Internet. The teens indicated a distrust of online information because it is often user-generated and could therefore be incorrect. They also noted that they would probably have to sort through an abundance of sexually explicit material to find the factual information they were looking for. Teens were most likely to trust family members (usually parents) for sexual health information; their next most trusted sources were educators, medical professionals and friends. Read the abstract.
MOAPPP Events
February 24, 2011
Meeting the Unique Needs of Adolescent Mothers and Fathers
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Minnesota Department of Education
1500 Highway 36 West, Roseville
Adolescent parent programs strive to facilitate long-term self-sufficiency, build parenting capacity and ensure the healthy growth and development of the children born to young parents. This workshop examines adolescent development; national and state data related to adolescent parents; systems that impact adolescent parents; strengths, opportunities and challenges young parents bring to their new role; and current research on best practices for working with adolescent parents. Participants will also learn practical tips for helping adolescent parents understand their children’s perspective, fun ways to communicate parenting concepts and other activities for use with young families.
For more information, see the flyer and registration form (PDF). Click here to register online. Questions? Contact Sue at 651.644.1447 x 15, [email protected].
March 14-15, 2011
It’s That Easy! Parent Educator Training
8:45 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Plato Conference Center
90 West Plato Blvd., Saint Paul
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].
Coalition for Responsible Sex Ed Events
Update on the Coalition for Responsible Sex Ed
For the past 11 years, MOAPPP was a partner in leading the Coalition for Responsible Sex Ed. Formed in 1999 with the Minnesota AIDS Project, the Coalition advocates at the Minnesota state legislature for science-based sex education, while also defending Minnesota’s minors’ consent statute. Today, the Coalition has an active membership of more than 1200 individuals and 55 organizations. MOAPPP’s role has been to keep the field informed and mobilize grassroots efforts in support of these issues. However, due to funding changes, MOAPPP can no longer serve this role and we are in conversation with our partners to determine next steps. These issues remain at the core of MOAPPP’s vision and mission, and our dedication to the health of the young people of Minnesota is unchanged. We will provide further updates when available.
Other Events
January 19, 2011
Minnesota Student Survey 2010 Conference
9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Minnesota Department of Health, Snelling Office Park
1645 Energy Park Drive, St. Paul
This day-long session will dig deeper into the results of the Minnesota Student Survey. Conference presentations include a review of data from the most recent survey administration including trends along with an examination of the results from alternative learning settings, juvenile correctional facilities and students of color. The conference will include a comparison of student responses from 1992 and 2010. Attendees will receive a copy of the Minnesota Student Survey 1992-2010 Trend Report. Register at www.dps.state.mn.us. Please note: you will have to register first as a user and then register for the course. Pre-Registration is required.
February 2, 2011
Minnesota Student Survey 2010 Webinar for Local Public Health
The Minnesota Department of Health will host a webinar for local public health about the 2010 Minnesota Student Survey. The webinar will review the most recent trend results, results for new questions and selected results for racial/ethnic groups. Pre-Registration is required. To register, contact Kim Engwer-Moylan at [email protected], 651.201.5440. Provide your name, agency or organization, job title, phone number and email address.
February 10, 15, 17, 23, 24 & March 2, 8, 9, 2011
Minnesota Student Survey 2010 Regional Trainings
February 10-Fergus Falls
February 15-St. Cloud
February 17-Rochester
February 23-Redwood Falls
February 24-Roseville
March 2-Apple Valley
March 8-Grand Rapids
March 9-Thief River Falls
The Minnesota Department of Education in collaboration with the Minnesota Institute of Public Health (MIPH) will be sponsoring several training opportunities throughout the state focusing on the results of the Minnesota Student Survey. These presentations will not only include the most recent findings, but also how to best learn from your local results and ways to present your local data. Pre-Registration is required. For more information and to register, visit www.emprc.org or contact Lynne Gosselin at 763.427.5310 x 155.
February 14, 16, 18, 22, 28 & March 25, 2011
Moving Upstream: Creating Champion Communities to Prevent Sexual Violence
February 14-Pelican Rapids
February 16-Bemidji
February 18-Duluth
February 22-Mankato
February 28-Rochester
March 25-St. Paul
The Sexual Violence Prevention Network invites you to attend this day-long session on how to organize in your community. This workshop will offer both an animated conversation about preventing violence before it happens AND strategies to help engage leaders in your community to step up and become change agents along with you.
For more information, contact Amy Kenzie at 651.201.5410, [email protected].
March 7, 2011
Beyond the Birds and the Bees: Talking About Sexual Health with GLBTQ Youth
8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Minnesota Department of Health, Snelling Office Park
1645 Energy Park Drive, St. Paul
GLBTQ youth are at higher risk for HIV, STIs and unintended pregnancy compared to their heterosexual peers. Many factors contribute to this health disparity, including the exclusion of GLBTQ realities from sexual health education in standard health class. This training will increase your comfort and ability to effectively lead, respond to and facilitate sexual health conversations with GLBTQ youth. This training is for school-based professionals working with GLBTQ youth (including GSA Advisors, Support Group Leaders, School Counselors, Nurses, Social Workers and others).
This training is free, but you must register to attend. Click here to register. For more information, contact Mary Thissen-Milder at [email protected].