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
Schools and Students
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
Schools and Students
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
Schools and Students
Forget Gen Alpha…This Is Gen Sigma
Making the case for teens born between 2007 and 2013 to become the next micro-generation By Gina Desiderio July 19, 2024 What the sigma!? “Gen Alpha” is skibidi ohio toilet! Today’s tweens and teens are “Gen Sigma.” No cap! (For … Read More
Schools and Students
Why all Menstruating Students Deserve Dignified Self-Care
Young people—and all of us, really—deserve to live in a world that celebrates and does not stigmatize the topic of menstrual health and human growth. By Sasha Grenier, MPH, CHES December 14, 2023 This October, I attended the #HealthyTeen23 conference … Read More
Schools and Students
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
Schools and Students
Protecting Transgender Youth and Young Adults in Maryland
Get the latest scoop on the Trans Health Equity Act in Maryland and what you can do to show up for the trans, non-binary, and gender-expansive young people—and adults—in your life. By Mariah Cowsert August 31, 2023 While Pride month … Read More
Schools and Students
Let’s Talk Inclusivity… in Birth Control!
We need to be mindful of our language to ensure that we’re reaching young people of all genders. By Vanessa Geffrard July 13, 2023 As health educators, it’s likely that we’ll teach a lesson, or answer questions about, birth control … Read More
Schools and Students
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
Schools and Students
The Power of the Anonymous Question Box
There’s a reason just about every sex ed program uses a question box. By Mackenzie Piper May 12, 2022 The first session of each new sex ed program typically looks the same—an ice breaker of some sort, creating and signing … Read More
Schools and Students
Are You Ready to Rock?
Previous Next Get the Printable Tip Sheet Get more resources through the Sex Education Collaborative and Training Hub. PHOTO CREDIT: airfocus on Unsplash The Sex Education Collaborative (SEC) envisions and works to support a world in which all young people’s right … Read More
Schools and Students
Say Hello to Sam!
Join us in welcoming Sam to the Healthy Teen Network family! By Deborah Chilcoat, MEd September 2, 2021 How is it possible that rays of sunshine actually radiate through my monitor when I have Zoom meetings with our newest staff … Read More
Schools and Students
On and Off the Field: How Title IX Protects the Rights of All Young People
Anyone who works in schools, or with students in other educational settings, can benefit from learning more about Title IX protections. By Mariah Cowsert June 24, 2021 When you hear “Title IX,” your mind likely goes first to sports. Indeed, … Read More
Schools and Students
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
Schools and Students
Welcome, Tonyé Fohsta-Lynch!
Tonyé brings a lot of energy, a commitment to centering youth voices, and multiple dimensions to her work. January 12, 2021 We are stoked to welcome Tonyé Fohsta-Lynch as our newest staff member. Tonyé Fohsta-Lynch Situated in the Capacity Building and Evaluation … Read More
Schools and Students
5 Tips for Teaching Sex Ed Remotely
Kickstart your school year with the Sex Education Collaborative’s quick tips for teaching sex ed remotely. By Valerie Sedivy, PhD September 15, 2020 To support educators navigating a new virtual learning environment this fall, the Sex Education Collaborative has released a … Read More
Schools and Students
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
Schools and Students
Tips for Communication with Teens Remotely
Schools and Students
Title IX: Protect Your Rights
Young people who are pregnant or parenting face discrimination. By understanding Title IX law, you can help protect your rights. By Deborah Chilcoat, MEd June 23, 2020 D iscrimination against pregnant and parenting students is alive and well…and could be … Read More
Schools and Students
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
Schools and Students
Sex Education Collaborative Launches Website with Open Access Training Hub
The Sex Education Collaborative envisions a world in which all young people’s right to comprehensive, high-quality sex education is recognized and fulfilled. May 21, 2020 For Immediate Release B altimore, MD — As remote learning continues for much of the country, … Read More
Schools and Students
6 Edtechs Compete in a Voice Challenge
This is an excerpt from an article posted on EdSurge by Diana Lee featuring one of Healthy Teen Network’s latest innovations. May 7, 2020 T hree finalists focus on student life skills to win. In July 2019, Amazon Web Services (AWS) and SXSW EDU … Read More
Schools and Students
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
Schools and Students
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
Schools and Students
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
Schools and Students
S-ex E-ducator X-travaganza!
Today, April 6, 2012, I declare Sex- Educator Day! This is a thank you for all that you do to educate and eradicate all of those misconceptions around the most taboo topic: SEX! By Vanessa Geffrard April 6, 2012 The … Read More