Take Care and Take Action
43rd Annual National Conference
October 2-4, 2023 | Portland, OR
This one is for you—the caregivers, teachers, and changemakers who give it all for today’s youth and the generations yet to come.
Care for yourself. Cultivate healing of the mind, body, and soul. Your resilience fuels resistance. When long-standing precedents fall and deep-rooted oppressions persist, you are the light that shines through the darkness.
At #HealthyTeen23, we will look to each other for inspiration and renewal. The stories we share will feed our hearts and grip our spirits. The wisdom we gain will guide our actions.
Together, we can transform what is heavy into more grounding. We can draw on the quiet strength that comes from a thousand yesterdays of strife and striving to remake the world today. For ourselves. For each other. For youth.
Take care and take action at #HealthyTeen23.
Meet our 2023 featured speakers
Our staff has been working hard to find people who will not only cultivate healing but inspire and renew us in our work. We can’t wait to share a taste of what #HealthyTeen23 has in store.
We are pleased to announce that our opening keynote on Monday, October 2 is Jillene Joseph and Shalene Joseph from the Native Wellness Institute—national experts who believe it is unethical to discuss trauma without healing—will engage you in an interactive “being trauma- and healing-informed” experience that connects healing to wisdom and community.
On Tuesday, October 3 we will gather to hear a panel discussion with both youth and adult voices discussing their collective wisdom wisdom about sexuality, justice, and rights, and how they use collaboration and education as a pathway to healing.
Join Mariotta Gary-Smith for the closing session on Wednesday, October 4 as she shares her journey from being a young agitator and peer educator to co-founding the Women of Color Sexual Health Network (WoCSHN) and using her passion to really engage in the work of sexual and reproductive health education, care, and justice.
We are excited to host Pre-Conference Institutes before the main conference begins; which include topics about trans-affirming approaches, trauma-informed care, sex for students with disabilities, and the power of pleasure. These intensive, skill-building sessions are an additional cost to the general conference ticket and have limited capacity, so reserve your spot quickly.
Jillene Joseph
Shalene Joseph
Mariotta Gary-Smith, MPH, CSE
Eli R. Green, PhD, CSES
Brett Niessen, MPH
Brett Niessen, MPH
Brett Niessen is adjunct faculty in the University of Washington School of Public Health, works as a senior health educator at Seattle Children's Hospital, and is an independent consultant working with school districts to implement sexual health education curricula.
Previously, he was a faculty member at the Northwest Public Health–Primary Care Leadership Institute. He was a training manager at the nonprofit Cardea Services, where he provided training and technical assistance to school districts and community-based programs on healthy relationships and prevention of teen pregnancy and HIV/STIs and developed continuing medical education for doctors and nurses.
He also worked at Public Health – Seattle and King County in the HIV/STD Program, serving as a project manager for social marketing campaigns, in cooperation with several community‑based agencies, and in the Family Planning Program, as a FLASH teacher trainer, curriculum writer, and youth development specialist. Previously, he worked at I-Tech, as a middle school science and special education teacher and served as a US Peace Corps Volunteer in Thailand, where he trained health teachers.
Facilitators from Thrivology
Tanya Bass, PhD, MEd, MS, CHES, CSE
Agenda-at-a-glance
All times are in Pacific Time (PT).
***Times and content subject to change***
Monday, October 2
Tuesday, October 3
Wednesday, October 4
Step Into the Spotlight
We want to celebrate you and all of the great work you are doing! We know you’re out there, every day, providing honest, affirming care and education, and empowering the next generation to lead healthy and fulfilling lives.
So tell us about it!
Each year, Healthy Teen Network recognizes individuals and organizations for their achievements in adolescent sexual and reproductive health.
We are now accepting nominations for the #HealthyTeen22 Awards. Submissions are due June 15, 2023.
And please don’t be shy! You can nominate someone you know, but you can also nominate yourself!
Call for Installations
Healthy Teen Network is inviting artists, designers, makers, studios, and collectives to submit their ideas for an experiential installation that will be displayed onsite in Portland.
This year as we Take Care and Take Action, we’ll host up to three experiential installations that provoke discovery, connection, or reflection. This unique platform allows you to share your work with hundreds of sexual health education and care professionals from across the United States.
Intrigued? Read more about the process and how you can submit your ideas.
Boost Your Brand
Grab the spotlight with these exhibiting and advertising sponsorship opportunities.
All Access Pass
Exhibitor
Attend the conference and showcase your services and resources by hosting an exhibit table, with our all access pass. You'll enjoy a space in a high-traffic area frequented by conference attendees for the duration of the conference.
Social Butterfly
Social Media Posts
Expand your reach by sharing up to 3 posts on Healthy Teen Network’s social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram) before, during, or after #HealthyTeen23. We will help you identify the appropriate social media channels and time your posts.
Highlight Reel
Conference App Advertiser
Without a printed program, the conference app is the place to be. Ads are a dynamic space in the app with prominent placement. Feature an upcoming event, promote a session at the conference, share a resource, sell an item, or highlight a call to action.
Join us in Portland
We have secured a special rate for a limited number of rooms. Book your online reservation below and don't wait, the special rate rooms always sell out.
Portland—Oregon’s largest city—sits on the Columbia and Willamette rivers, in the shadow of snow-capped Mount Hood.
It’s known for its parks, bridges, and bicycle paths, as well as for its eco-friendliness and its coffehouses, 105 microbreweries and over 500 food carts.
Rich in culture and a creative spirit, Portland serves as a breath of fresh air in the U.S.’s Northwest Region.
The Hilton Portland Downtown places guests in the heart of downtown Portland and serves as a gateway to the Oregon Coast and Mt. Hood.
The hotel is walking distance to Pioneer Courthouse Square, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Portland Art Museum, Portland State University, and Pioneer Place shopping mall.
Light rail links connect to the Moda Center, Convention Center, and Oregon Museum of Science and Industry.
Federal Government*
*Rate is dependent on the prevailing Federal Government Per Diem and is subject to change.
Join Us
Registration is now open! Please remember to check out the fine print; it has information about payment and refund deadlines, what is included with registration, and recommended travel times.
Full-Day Institute
- Early Bird: $209
- Regular: $249
Half-Day Institute
- Early Bird: $95
- Regular: $139
General Attendee
- Early Bird: $735
- Regular: $914
Student Attendee*
- Early Bird: $389
*Students must provide proof of full-time enrollment for the Fall 2023 semester.
The Fine Print
You’ve got questions. We’ve got answers.
What's Included?
Pre-Conference Institutes
Pre-Conference Institutes have limited capacity, and your spot is secured upon registration and payment. Without a paid registration, Healthy Teen Network cannot guarantee that you will be able to attend your preferred session. If we are unable to fulfill your request, you may choose another session (if available), or we will refund your money.
Payment Deadlines
All payments made by check or purchase order must be received by 9/15/2023. After that date, you must pay by check or credit card on-site to gain admittance to the conference. Attendees with outstanding balances will be refused admission. Our new mailing address is PO Box 741, Churchville, MD 21028.
Questions
Please contact Jenna Ayres if you have a question about conference registration. For hotel-related questions, please call the Hilton Portland Downtown at 503-226-1611. For more information about Portland, please visit www.travelportland.com.
Recommended Travel Times
We often get asked about when the activities begin and end so participants can plan their travel.* We recommend:
- Arrive in Portland on Sunday, October 1, if you plan to participate in a Pre-Conference (please note the start time for your registered session).
- Arrive in Portland by 1:00 PM PT on Monday, October 2 for the conference welcome and opening session at 4:00 PM PT.
- Schedule departure flights for 6:30 PM PT or later on Wednesday, October 4 (the final session ends at 4:00 PM PT).
*Times and conent are subject to change.
Student Registrations
To receive the student registration rate, Healthy Teen Network requires that student registrants provide some type of verification that they are enrolled, full-time, in a secondary, undergraduate, or graduate degree program for the Fall 2023 semester. A letter from the department chair, enrollment verification letter, or any documentation with the school’s official seal/emblem is acceptable. Email documentation to Jenna Ayres.
Lead Presenter Discount
Lead presenters (one per session) receive a 15% discount on the main conference registration fee and will receive a unique discount code to use when registering. Co-presenters do not receive this discount.
Refund Policies
General Refunds
All requests for refunds must be made in writing (email is sufficient) and dated on or before 9/8/2023. An eligible request will entitle the registrant to a full refund less a $50 processing fee. In lieu of requesting a refund, an organization may send someone else in the place of the registrant if the initial registrant is unable to attend, and if they notify Healthy Teen Network in writing by 9/22/23.
Sponsor Refund Policy
The acceptance and confirmed assignment of space shall be subject to the regulations outlined on the website. All requests for refunds must be made in writing (email is sufficient) and dated on or before 9/8/2023. An eligible request will entitle the registrant to a full refund less a $50 processing fee. In lieu of requesting a refund, an organization may send someone else in the place of the initial registrant if that registrant is unable to attend and if they notify Healthy Teen Network in writing by 9/22/2023.
We reserve the right to reject any registration, at our discretion.
#HealthyTeen23 Health and Safety Measures
Healthy Teen Network is committed to coordinating with our event venue and attendees to enact the prevention actions as recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to protect ourselves and host an engaging event.
These measures are subject to change based on local/state/federal public health guidelines at the time of the event.
The safety and well-being of our conference attendees is our top priority. Please note the following guidelines and safety measures that will be in place during the event:
- Masks and proof of vaccination are not required by the City of Portland.
- Masks are not required, but attendees are encouraged and welcome to mask indoors.
- KN-95 masks will be available to attendees who would like to use them.
- Proof of vaccination will not be required at check-in, but we expect all attendees, who are eligible, to be vaccinated.
- We encourage all attendees to test, per CDC recommendations, prior to traveling to the conference.
- Hand sanitizer will be available to all attendees.
Before the event, any attendees experiencing symptoms should test at home and stay home if positive. Attendees who have tested positive for COVID-19 within 5 days prior to the conference may not attend.
Multnomah County (which includes Portland) does not currently require masks to be worn in public spaces, including on public transportation (unless otherwise noted). However, masks continue to be an important public health tool for reducing the spread of COVID-19, especially if you are high risk or live with someone who is high risk, and we encourage people to wear masks as they see fit. For more information on masking in Multnomah County, visit the county health department website.
Additional Actions
At the #HealthyTeen23 Venue
Healthy Teen Network and Hilton Portland Downtown are committed to additional measures to manage social distancing and cleaning. We will:
- Sanitize surfaces before events, including microphones used by presenters;
- Ensure venue staff complete frequent cleaning and sanitation procedures throughout public spaces; and
- Provide hand sanitizer stations and masks in various locations throughout the venue for easy access.
The Big Picture
Ultimately, there is an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 with any public gathering. While Healthy Teen Network and the event venue staff take your safety and that of our staff seriously by employing COVID-19 best practices and sanitation initiatives, we cannot guarantee that these measures will completely protect you from contracting COVID-19.
The best way to have a safe event is for everyone to be diligent about protecting themselves and others, both inside the event and throughout the city at large.
Register Now
We are offering early bird pricing until 7/31/23 at 11:59 PM ET. Take advantage before it’s gone!
Purchase your tickets for #HealthyTeen23
Please remember to check out the fine print; it has information about payment and refund deadlines, what is included with registration, and recommended travel times.
Save the Date for Next Year
November 18-20, 2024
Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort
Premier Sponsor
Sponsors
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