Public Policy and Advocacy

Giving Menstrual Health More Airtime

We should all be working to combat the stigma and normalize talking about menstruation in an inclusive and affirming way By Caro Hernandez October 3, 2024 F or people who menstruate, this change can bring up all kinds of feelings, … Read More

Public Policy and Advocacy

Decoding Sexual & Reproductive Health: The Language of Policy

Quick tips on how to navigate elections and make sure you vote in alignment with your values By Lilith Breazeale By JB Rodriguez-Anello October 22, 2024 S ince the overturning of Roe v Wade in 2022, there have been numerous … Read More

Public Policy and Advocacy

If You Really Want to Help Students Who Are Pregnant…

The Pregnant Students Rights Act stigmatizes, restricts, and shames people’s choices. By Patti Flowers By Mackenzie Flynn May 28, 2024 W e’ve been paying attention to The Pregnant Student Rights Act (H.R.6914/S.2974), which Congress is currently considering. When it comes … Read More

Public Policy and Advocacy

Connecting the Dots: How Environmentalism Shapes Adolescent Health

Understanding the vital link between social determinants of health and environmental justice By Angela Zhong August 29, 2024 Growing up in a city economically tethered to the WTI oil price, I dismissed natural disasters and environmental health concerns as part … Read More

Public Policy and Advocacy

“Add-On” to Your Experience at #HealthyTeen24

These limited-capacity training sessions allow you to dig deeper into specific topics, gain new tools, and enhance your professional skills By Arianna de la Mancha July 11,2024 If you’ve been following our recent national annual conference promotion, you might be … Read More

Public Policy and Advocacy

Save the Date! May Is Sex Ed for All Month!

Each May since 2019, Sex Ed for All Month is an opportunity to voice our shared commitment to a world where all young people get equitable access to the education and care they deserve. April 18, 2024 The seasons are … Read More

Public Policy and Advocacy

Sex Education Is Essential (Sex Ed for All Talking Points)

Together, by advocating in our communities, we can ensure Sex Ed for All. April 16, 2024 As April starts to wind down, and as we look ahead to the start of May on the horizon, we wanted to take a … Read More

Public Policy and Advocacy

Sorry, Alabama, But Declaring It So Doesn’t Make It So. Embryos Are Not Children.

The Alabama ruling is not an outlier. It is what we all expected when we heard about the Dobbs decision. And it’s why we continue to raise alarms now. Because this is a continued, intentional effort to restrict Americans’ freedoms. … Read More

Public Policy and Advocacy

Anti-Trans and Anti-LGBTQ Policies Threaten the Safety and Well-Being of Young People

Trans youth—like all young people—deserve to live in a world that affirms and celebrates them for who they are. By Charlie Blue Brahm, MA November 9, 2023 It’s been almost four months since the Department of Education in my home … Read More

Public Policy and Advocacy

Defend LGBTQ+ Rights by Creating Inclusive Learning Spaces

Learn more—and get resources—about how to create affirming spaces for your students. By Allison Tomai Felsen June 15, 2023 The onslaught of attacks on the basic human right for people to exist just continues to be exhausting. Banning books, censoring … Read More

Public Policy and Advocacy

How to Use Storytelling as a Vehicle for Social Change

6 Storytelling Lessons Learned while Creating the Casey Young Parents Stories. By Patricia Natalie, MA June 8, 2023 When I first joined Healthy Teen Network in March 2022, my first project was to “create stories about young parents that can … Read More

Public Policy and Advocacy

May Is National Sex Ed for All Month (2023)

 Community Leaders, Parents, and Guardians Lend Their Voice to Promote #SexEdForAll May 3, 2023 For Immediate Release B altimore, MD — May is Sex Ed For All Month, a time community leaders, caring adults, and advocates call on local school … Read More

Public Policy and Advocacy

How the Dobbs Decision Affects Youth in Care and Recommendations for Providers

How a post-Roe world affects youth in care: some general thoughts and suggestions for practitioners and researchers. December 12, 2022 The United States has seen a dramatic reduction in the rates of both unintended pregnancy and childbearing among people of … Read More

Public Policy and Advocacy

Zander Moricz to Receive Healthy Teen Network 2022 #Standing Strong Award

As a champion for all young people, Zander Moricz is #StandingStrong to create a world where every young person can realize their right to live their authentic sexuality.  August 25, 2022 H ealthy Teen Network is pleased to announce Zander … Read More

Public Policy and Advocacy

What’s Next in the Endless Attack on Our Rights and Freedoms? 

Our freedom, our rights, are being restricted by a radical minority that does not represent the majority of Americans. By Gina Desiderio June 27, 2022 Like many of you, here at Healthy Teen Network, we’re feeling the weight of the … Read More

Public Policy and Advocacy

Anti-Fat Bias Is Pervasive and Insidious: Combating Its Harm in Sexual Health & Education

“Every time we point out stigma and name it as unfair, it loses its validity, and in turn, its power.” By Yesi Llerenas Daniel (they/elle) By Maria Peñas (she/her) Educators with Responsible Sex Education Institute June 27, 2022 Content Warning: This blog … Read More

Public Policy and Advocacy

How Youth Development Professionals Might Want to Address “Parent Rights”

Perhaps these rebuttals to central themes in the “parent rights” movement will be useful to you By Bob Reeg, MPA, CVA May 26, 2022 (To be clear, I am not assailing the rights of parent’s writ large. This is a … Read More

Public Policy and Advocacy

The Right to Bodily Autonomy Shouldn’t Vary by ZIP Code

Abortion is still legal. And we must fight to keep it that way. By Gina Desiderio May 3, 2022 Bodily autonomy—the right to make decisions about your own body, including decisions about if, when, and how to parent—is a right. … Read More

Public Policy and Advocacy

May Is National Sex Ed for All Month (2022)

 Community Leaders, Parents, and Guardians Lend Their Voice to Promote #SexEdForAll May 2, 2022 For Immediate Release B altimore, MD — May is Sex Ed For All Month, a time parents, guardians, teachers,  community leaders, and advocates call on local … Read More

Public Policy and Advocacy

Demand IX

50 years later, we have much to celebrate with Title IX…but we still have a lot of work to support ongoing efforts for strong Title IX protections and enforcement. April 21, 2022 “No person in the United States shall, on … Read More

Public Policy and Advocacy

“Don’t Say Gay” Bill Means It’s More Important than Ever to Bring #HealthyTeen22 to Florida

Public Policy and Advocacy

I’m Just a Bill: The Untold Story

I’m Just a Bill covers how a legislative bill makes its way to law. As a public policy advocacy practitioner for over 30 years, let me just say that how a bill becomes a law is more complicated than the … Read More

Public Policy and Advocacy

Sexual & Reproductive Health, Rights, & Justice Organizations Applaud Introduction of Legislation to Improve the Health & Well-Being of Young People

All young people deserve access to high-quality sex education and sexual health care May 18, 2021 For Immediate Release Washington, D.C — Today, champions in Congress are introducing the Real Education and Access to Healthy Youth Act of 2021 (REAHYA). The … Read More

Public Policy and Advocacy

Sexual and Reproductive Health Policies Affecting Youth: A Look at What’s Ahead

Newly-inaugurated President Joe Biden has reversed several policy decisions of former President Trump that had curtailed the sexual and reproductive rights of women and girls. Bob Reeg, MPA, CVA February 2, 2021 As the saying goes, “elections have consequences.” No … Read More

Public Policy and Advocacy

President Biden’s Executive Actions on Sexual and Reproductive Health, Rights, and Justice Are a Good First Step

Repro Blueprint First Priorities lays out more to do to advance access January 28, 2021 For Immediate Release Healthy Teen Network applauds President Biden for taking the first steps to undo the harms of the previous administration’s dangerous and restrictive policies … Read More

Public Policy and Advocacy

Fear and Loathing in Scranton, Pennsylvania

Strange memories on this nervous night near Scranton, in coal-scarred, Appalachian foothills filled with autumn color and political angst By Nicholas Sufrinko November 2, 2020 Strange memories on this nervous night near Scranton. Five years since Obergefell. Four since Election … Read More

Public Policy and Advocacy

Too Much and Not Enough

Ginsburg’s death showcases how so many members of Congress and our government branches are failing us.  She was more than enough. They are nowhere near enough.   By Gina Desiderio September 22, 2020 It feels like too much.  Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader … Read More

Public Policy and Advocacy

Legislation to Reauthorize Pregnancy Assistance Fund (PAF) Introduced

PAF provides vital support services to empower young parents and their children to thrive. June 26, 2019 For Immediate Release W ashington, DC — Yesterday, July 25, Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Robert Casey (D-PA) introduced legislation (S.2296) to reauthorize the Pregnancy Assistance Fund (PAF). The … Read More

Public Policy and Advocacy

Pregnancy Assistance Fund (PAF) Reauthorization Sign-On Letter

PAF provides vital support services to empower young parents and their children to thrive. Updated December 02, 2020 For Immediate Release Dear Member of Congress: The undersigned organizations express our support for the Pregnancy Assistance Fund (PAF) and urge Congress … Read More

Public Policy and Advocacy

May Is Sex Ed for All Month (2020)

Public Policy and Advocacy

Coronavirus and the Lack of Access to Abortion

 During the pandemic, many places are deeming abortion a “non essential” service. We know that abortion is essential healthcare. By Minyan Watson-Faulkner April 16, 2020 D uring the COVID-19 crisis, I have heard so many different things around what is … Read More

Public Policy and Advocacy

Happy New Legislative Year!

We wanted to update our members and supporters on our priorities when it comes to public policy this year. By Bob Reeg, MPA, CVA January 23, 2020 The new year provides an occasion for Healthy Teen Network to update our … Read More

Public Policy and Advocacy

Education Legislation Will Empower Young People

Introduced during Sex Ed for All Month, education legislation will empower young people with information and access May 16, 2019 For Immediate Release W ashington, DC — Earlier this week, the U.S. House of Representatives introduced the Real Education for Healthy Youth Act … Read More

Public Policy and Advocacy

Reproductive Health, Rights, and Justice Groups Launch Sex Ed for All Month (2019)

Public Policy and Advocacy

Today, I choose to be hopeful.

There were some small wins in this midterm election. They might help us get a little bit close to dismantling the patriarchy and adjusting an imbalance of power. By Gina Desiderio September 28, 2018 Today, I choose to be hopeful. … Read More

Public Policy and Advocacy

Victory In Teen Pregnancy Prevention Case For City of Baltimore, Healthy Teen Network, and Democracy Forward

Judge overturns HHS’s decision to cut grants for Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program. Three times in one week, Federal Courts have ruled HHS’s cuts to Teen Pregnancy Prevention unlawful. April 26, 2018 For Immediate Release B altimore, MD — Late yesterday afternoon, the … Read More

Public Policy and Advocacy

City of Baltimore, Healthy Teen Network Scheduled to Appear in Federal Court to Fight the Trump Administration’s Unlawful Cuts to Teen Pregnancy Prevention Programs

Trump officials slashed grants to evidence-based Teen Pregnancy Prevention Programs in Baltimore City that helped reduce teen pregnancy rates to all-time low. In attempting to dismiss case, government lawyers do not dispute harm suffered by program grantees. April 18, 2018 … Read More

Public Policy and Advocacy

Lawsuits Filed to Stop Trump’s Rollback of Science-Based Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program

Suits come in response to Trump Administration’s arbitrary termination of program that has contributed to dramatic fall in rates of pregnancy among teens. February 15, 2018 For Immediate Release W ashington, DC — Today, nine local government, health care, and oversight organizations … Read More

Public Policy and Advocacy

Huber Appointment to HHS Threatens the Health and Well-Being of Our Nation’s Young People

We join our national colleagues in opposing this appointment. By Gina Desiderio June 9, 2017 A more just and equitable world supports and empowers all young people to lead healthy and fulfilling lives. All young people deserve respect, appreciation, and acceptance … Read More

Public Policy and Advocacy

Turning 40 and Still Dreaming Big!

Public Policy and Advocacy

Free Will for All?

Under the Affordable Care Act, employers who object to providing contraception do not have to pay for it, instead, insurance companies will be required to reach out to these employees and cover the cost of contraceptives instead of the employer. … Read More

Public Policy and Advocacy

What’s in a Ribbon?

Do we need a ribbon to help support the cause of teen pregnancy prevention and supporting pregnant and parenting teens? Will a pervasive symbol help motivate people to support our cause? By Gina Desiderio February 8, 2012 Last week, the … Read More

Public Policy and Advocacy

Failure to Increase Access to Emergency Contraception a Failure for All

Public Policy and Advocacy

Healthy People 2020: What the New Indicators Mean for Our Work

Healthy People 2020 indicators provide national focus on a set of health issues affecting the United States. By Patricia Paluzzi, CNM, DrPH December 1, 2011 October 31st at the American Public Health Association (APHA) Annual Meeting, Dr. Howard Koh, Assistant Secretary … Read More

Public Policy and Advocacy

The State of the Union in Teen Pregnancy Prevention

Yesterday, President Obama delivered his State of the Union address. So, what is the current state of teen pregnancy prevention? By Patricia Paluzzi, CNM, DrPH January 25, 2011 Yesterday, President Obama delivered his State of the Union address. The purpose of … Read More

Discover the magic of the Network.

Want to do something similar?

You work hard to meet the needs of young people. We’re here to support and inspire you to do your best work every day.

Want more?