Sex Ed

Reels to Results: Collaborating with Young Creators on Sexual Health Messaging

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What’s in the “special sauce” of working with young people to make sexual health content that feels real and relatable? Kaitlyn LaBonte DECEMBER 11, 2025 What if learning about sexual health felt more like scrolling through a friend’s social media … Read More

Sex Ed

A Moment of Thanks: What We’re Grateful for This Year

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Reflecting on a challenging year, our staff shares the people and things that helped them get through. Megan Thomas November 25, 2025 We know 2025 has been a challenging year. From economic hardships to ever-shifting policies to the fear of … Read More

Sex Ed

Rooted in Solidarity: Lessons from #HealthyTeen25

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In Solidarity invited us to reflect on what it truly means to stand together—across movements, across communities, and especially within our own field of adolescent sexual and reproductive health. Janet Max, MPH, CHES November 20, 2025 As we reflect back … Read More

Sex Ed

Young Parents Are Not the Exception

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Dr. Kate Westaby explores how to support young parents in her remarks accepting the Young Parent Achievement Award at #HealthyTeen25. KATE WESTABY, PHD November 13, 2025 From day one, when Healthy Teen Network was founded in 1979 as the National … Read More

Sex Ed

Remember to Show Up for Ourselves and Each Other

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Dr. Natasha Ramsey accepts the Visionary Award at #HealthyTeen25, reminding us to be the support that young people need. Natasha Ramsey, MD, MPH, FAAP November 6, 2025 The Healthy Teen Network Visionary Award honors forward-thinking, insightful, and proactive individuals or … Read More

Sex Ed

What It Means to Be a Changemaker

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The Mount Sinai Department of Health Education is transforming public health for young people. Mount Sinai Department of Health Education October 30, 2025 The Healthy Teen Network Changemaker Award celebrates individuals or organizations who are unapologetically creating a world where … Read More

Sex Ed

It’s Bananas: Why the Sexual Exposure Chart Belongs in the Bin

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Peeling back this common clinic visual shows how judgy, junk data sometimes gets disguised as science. NICHOLAS SUFRINKO October 16, 2025 It would go a little like this. A college freshman walks into the university clinic with a sore throat. … Read More

Sex Ed

Happy #AnalAugust: How Our Juiciest, Queer-Coded Health Campaigns Are Serving More Bounce Per Ounce

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Leaving flat slogans behind for content that’s cheekier, robust, and real NICHOLAS SUFRINKO August 29, 2025 If there’s one thing I want to be known for while working in sexual health, let it be #AnalAugust. Perhaps truly celebrated by no … Read More

Sex Ed

Help Us Bring Bold Ideas to SXSW 2026—Your Vote Matters!

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If you believe in equity, wellness, and reimagining the future of sex ed and innovation, cast your vote and help us take the stage in 2026. Arianna De La Mancha August 7, 2025 We’re bringing not one, not two, but … Read More

Sex Ed

What Does Teacher and Student Support Actually Look Like?

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Helping teachers discuss sexual health and create thriving environments for students Celease Jordan July 24, 2025 When I first started my role here at Healthy Teen Network, I was tasked with being the connection between schools and the organization. There … Read More

Sex Ed

Making (Another) Case for Parent Engagement

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How schools and community programs can make parents an integral part of comprehensive sex ed programs Jerrica Davis, MPH July 17, 2025 Before becoming a parent, I thought parent engagement mostly meant helping with homework or attending sporting events and … Read More

Sex Ed

Your Atlanta Must-See List for #HealthyTeen25

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Check out these things to do, see, and taste while you’re in town for the Healthy Teen Network annual conference. Shanise Taylor July 10, 2025 Pack your bags and get ready! We’re headed to the peach state. That’s right! Atlanta, … Read More

Sex Ed

What Does Pottery Have to Do with Sex Ed?

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Pottery taught me that failure isn’t the end—it’s part of the process. Randa Dean, MPH July 3, 2025 I took up pottery a few years ago. In the hyper-digital age, the idea of doing something with my hands, working with … Read More

Sex Ed

Stretching Out of My Comfort Zone: The Trick to Having Tough Conversations

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It’s not about getting it perfect but about becoming comfortable with the uncomfortable. Megan Thomas June 26, 2025 Something revolutionary happened to me the other day: As I was stretching just before bed, I leaned down and touched my toes. … Read More

Sex Ed

You Don’t Need a Rainbow Flag to Celebrate Pride

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Whatever constraints you’re under, focus on how you can show up for LGBTQ+ young people (and uplift their peers along the way). Charlie Blue Brahm, MA June 18, 2025 It’s Pride Month, y’all! In the United States, June is an … Read More

Sex Ed

Comfort in Cut Fruit; Confusion Around Flavored Condoms

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Growing up Asian means learning love through quiet acts—and navigating shame around the things we don’t talk about. Patricia Natalie, MA May 29, 2025 I was 21 the first time I saw a flavored condom. My college resident assistant casually … Read More

Sex Ed

Consent in Gaming Matters

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If we’re serious about helping young people navigate consent in real life, then we have to pay attention to the media they’re consuming. April “Kayuri” Lat, MS, MPP May 15, 2025 If you know me, you know I could talk … Read More

Sex Ed

All Young People Need and Deserve Sex Education

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Join us in fighting for the sex education all young people need and deserve. May 8, 2025 In 2025, the fight for sex education is more urgent than ever. Join us as we celebrate May as Sex Ed for All … Read More

Sex Ed

May Is #SexEdForAll Month!

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Join us in fighting for the sex education all young people need and deserve. May 8, 2025 In 2025, the fight for sex education is more urgent than ever. Join us as we celebrate May as Sex Ed for All … Read More

Sex Ed

The Power of Believing in Young People

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Young parents’ voices matter, their struggles are valid, and their dreams are achievable. Lolita-Smith Moore April 24, 2025 A t Healthy Teen Network, we believe every young person has the right to make choices about their bodies, relationships, and futures, … Read More

Sex Ed

Can This Board Game Help Youth-Supporting Professionals Gain Clarity, Drive Change, and Collaborate? We Think So.

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Game Designer shares the rich, layered flavors of Thrivopolis’ secret sauce Nick Sufrinko April 17, 2025 B ack in the age of dinosaurs, I was racking up an abundance of art history credits at a football-obsessed state university in the … Read More

Sex Ed

Change Is a Sign of Life

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When things feel overwhelming or tiring, remember your “why.” Asari Offiong, PhD, MPH April 4, 2025 W hen times feel difficult, it can be helpful to reflect on why we do this work. Find inspiration and remember your “why” in … Read More

Sex Ed

Women of Color Who Have Pioneered in Sexual and Reproductive Health

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Honoring Black women who have paved the way Jerrica Davis, MPH March 13, 2025 A s we close out Black History Month and welcome Women’s History Month, it seemed fitting to highlight a few women of color who have been … Read More

Sex Ed

Empowering Young People with the Knowledge They Need: Contraceptive Education for Those Involved with Child Welfare

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Young people involved with the child welfare system are resilient, but they need the right tools and support to thrive. Katie Massey Combs, PhD January 30, 2025 Though research has documented disproportionate rates of sexual and reproductive health outcomes like … Read More

Sex Ed

We Stand Firm in Our Commitment to Reproductive Justice and Human Dignity for All People

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In times of conflict and uncertainty, it is more important than ever to affirm our commitment to these principles December 18, 2024 At Healthy Teen Network, we stand firm in our commitment to reproductive justice and human dignity for all … Read More

Sex Ed

Meeting Students Where They Are: How HBCUs are Advancing Sexual Health and Wellness

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An inclusive, trauma-informed approach to student health benefits everyone. Asha Puri December 5, 2024 A s a sophomore at Howard University, one of the nation’s leading Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), I have witnessed firsthand how our college campus … Read More

Sex Ed

You Just Found Out Your Teen Is Having Sex. Now What?

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Our staff share insights on the importance of sex ed, access to services, and how to be an askable adult. August 8, 2024 In a new article from HuffPost, Ellen Friedrichs—a health and sexuality educator—talks about how parents and caregivers … Read More

Sex Ed

Grab & Go Birth Control: The Opill Revolution

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Over-the-counter birth control is a game changer but it’s up to all of us to make sure access remains unrestricted for everyone. By Lilith Breazeale By Mandy Williams By Deb Coffy August 6, 2024 Thrivology Youth Leaders is a diverse … Read More

Sex Ed

Celebrating AANHPI Month

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Cultural Experiences, Shared Identities, and Everything, Everywhere, All At Once By April “Kayuri” Lat, MS MPP By Patricia Natalie, MA May 28, 2024 C heck out this video blog post, where April and Patricia discuss their shared identities as Southeast … Read More

Sex Ed

So You Want to Be a Sex Educator: Wisdom and Advice from our Staff

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Hear from a few Healthy Teen Network staff on how they got to this field and their advice for folks on this journey. By Sam Akers, MSW May 9, 2024 When you think of a sex educator, who do you … Read More

Sex Ed

5 Queer Sex Ed Resources by and for Young People

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Young people take the lead to reimagine building a society that centers their experiences.  By Arianna de la Mancha April 11, 2024 I’m constantly in awe of young people who work collectively to fill the gaps in their sex education … Read More

Sex Ed

How to Masturbate: Everything You Need to Know About Self Pleasure 

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Two Healthy Teen Network team members shared tips for self-pleasure in the queer online publication, them. April 4, 2024 We’re excited to share a new article from them that features two of our team members, Arianna and Caro, with tips … Read More

Sex Ed

Navigating Sexual and Reproductive Health Censorship on Social Media

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In part one of our two-part series covering social media censorship, we ask: how can we ensure young people have access to the crucial sex ed and health information they need—dodging the restrictions set by the big shots in the … Read More

Sex Ed

Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program’s Adolescent Sexual Health Innovation Hubs Showcase

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We’re thrilled to unveil Healthy Teen Network’s Innovation Incubator Hub, In/Tend—funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Population Affairs.  We are one of six organizations newly funded to support teams that will develop, refine, and … Read More

Sex Ed

To Be Who They Are. To Live. To Thrive. These Are the Basic Human Rights Denied to Nex Benedict. 

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The assault on Nex Benedict was not unprecedented. It was precedented by the hateful rhetoric and anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, pushed through by extremists in Oklahoma, and across the country.  By Gina Desiderio Updated March 14, 2024 The latest update on the cause … Read More

Sex Ed

Stay in the Loop with our Shareable National Observances Calendar

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Stay up to date with our 2024 adolescent health national observances Google calendar! By Mariah Cowsert January 25, 2024 When I first started working at Healthy Teen Network—now 3 years ago, almost to the day!—and started creating content for our … Read More

Sex Ed

Welcome, Bianca!

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Sex Ed

Taking Care of Each Other at #HealthyTeen23

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Thank you for taking care with us at #HealthyTeen23; now let’s work together to take action. By Janet Max, MPH, CHES October 20, 2023 As I was drafting my opening remarks for #HealthyTeen23 and reflecting on our conference, I realized … Read More

Sex Ed

Welcome, Caro!

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We’re excited to have Caro Hernandez join our Capacity Building department! September 29, 2023 We’re excited to have Caro Hernandez join Deb, Valerie, Sam, and Mackenzie in our Capacity Building department as a Project Coordinator.   Caro brings nearly a decade … Read More

Sex Ed

Welcome, Arianna!

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Sex Ed

Menstrual Dignity for Students Program to Receive 2023 Healthy Teen Network #StandingStrong Award 

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 In recognition of the Program’s efforts to ensure all menstruating students have the opportunity for safe, dignified self-care September 13, 2023 Our nation’s young people face continued and escalating attacks on their sexual and reproductive health rights, driven by ideology … Read More

Sex Ed

How Youth-Friendly is Your Clinic?

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 On a scale from mid to stellar, how would the youth you serve rate your clinic’s youth-friendliness? By Allison Tomai Felsen August 17, 2023 Have you ever walked into a health care facility and felt totally overwhelmed? Or been unsure … Read More

Sex Ed

A Mind Flayer from Stranger Things? The Brooms from Fantasia?! No, Friends…It’s the Clitoris!

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Tales from an impromptu poll among friends…and a challenge for you. By Mackenzie Piper, MPH, CHES August 3, 2023 Afew months ago, I was getting ready for a for a sex ed workshop with a group of adults. In preparation, … Read More

Sex Ed

Let’s Talk Inclusivity… in Birth Control!

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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

Sex Ed

Give Your Contraceptive Lessons a Refresh

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Support your students to feel informed and in control of their health! By Allison Tomai Felsen June 23, 2023 As part of its efforts to bring the very best sexual health education to Maryland youth,  True You Maryland, a program … Read More

Sex Ed

Defend LGBTQ+ Rights by Creating Inclusive Learning Spaces

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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

Sex Ed

May Is National Sex Ed for All Month (2023)

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 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

Sex Ed

STI Stigma Be Gone!

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Sex Ed

Beyond Sexual & Reproductive Health: Linking Young People to Mental Health Resources

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Whether it is crisis hotlines, toolkits, trainings, or support groups, there are ways to get youth connected to mental health resources today. By Mackenzie Piper, MPH, CHES March 6, 2023 Many years ago, I still remember being introduced to a … Read More

Sex Ed

New Year, Same WHY

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Our Thoughts on Why Sex Ed Matters  By Sam Akers February 23, 2023 “What do you do?” I was asked by my family when I went home… “Well, I work in sex ed!” *Brace for impact* “and I LOVE what … Read More

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