Jennifer Manlove’s research contributions to adolescent health remind us that research is not just about numbers or publications. It is about people. Arianna de la Mancha SEPTEMBER 22, 2026 At Healthy Teen Network, we believe creating a better future for … Read More
Staff
Celebrating Amaze: 2026 Visionary Awardee
We’re honored to present the 2026 Visionary Award to Amaze for its groundbreaking work making comprehensive sex education accessible to young people everywhere. Arianna de la Mancha SEPTEMBER 22, 2026 At Healthy Teen Network, we believe young people deserve access … Read More
Staff
Celebrating Mariama Smith: 2026 Young Parent Achievement Awardee
Mariama’s message is simple and powerful: Your dreams are still yours, even when your path looks different. That message—and the work behind it—embodies the spirit of the Young Parent Achievement Award. Arianna de la Mancha SEPTEMBER 22, 2026 At Healthy … Read More
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Trainings on Our Curricula: Comprehensive, Clear, and Youth-Centered
Four comprehensive programs. One trusted training partner. Sam Akers, MSW SEPTEMBER 17, 2026 Since we were founded in 1979, Healthy Teen Network has been your trusted, go-to source for training and technical assistance. If you’re looking for training around supplemental … Read More
Staff
How Emotional Regulation Is Just Like Grocery Shopping
And why recipes are great gifts to your future self JB Rodriguez-Anello SEPTEMBER 10, 2026 As a kid, I thought that becoming an adult came with the development of a special skill: the ability to purchase groceries at random and … Read More
Staff
Four Tips and Tricks to Run a Hybrid Meeting: Reflections from the In/Tend Innovation Showcase
What we’ve learned about how to host a successful hybrid event Rebecca Skinner, MSPH SEPTEMBER 3, 2026 The In/Tend Innovation Showcase is a time for us to celebrate all the time and work that the Innovation Development Teams (IDTs) have … Read More
Staff
Back to Cali
Things to do and see while in San Diego for #HealthyTeen26 Shanise Taylor AUGUST 27, 2026 I’m going, going, back, back to Cali, Caliiiiiii. That’s right, we’re on the West Coast again! It’s your favorite foodie and adventurer back with … Read More
Staff
What’s So Special About a Deck of Cards, Anyway?
Conversation cards as an invitation to dig a little deeper Patricia Natalie, MA AUGUST 20, 2026 When we set out to create In My Own Words: A Curiosity Deck for Young Parents, we drew inspiration from conversation cards like We’re … Read More
Staff
Rest Is a Requirement, Not a Reward
Why slowing down matters for us and the young people we serve Jerrica Davis, MPH AUGUST 6, 2026 For many of us, busy has become our default setting. We’re parents, caregivers, teachers, coaches, neighbors, employees, and more, wearing our packed … Read More
Staff
What’s Miro? A Digital Playground for Innovation
How our In/Tend Incubator Hub uses Miro for innovation Patricia Natalie, MA JULY 30, 2026 Oh, Miro. The digital workspace with lots of colorful sticky notes. Image credit: Make Use Of Healthy Teen Network started using Miro about 10 years … Read More
Staff
How Summer Shapes Connection, Belonging, and Joy
Reflecting on the moments that helped me feel connected, supported, and inspired as a young person. Christy Altidor, MPH, CPH JULY 16, 2026 Summer often brings a shift in pace. School is out, routines and schedules change, and communities come … Read More
Staff
Expand Your Understanding of Belonging with a Learning Add-On
This year’s Learning Add-On lineup offers opportunities to deepen your expertise, strengthen your practice, and explore innovative approaches to supporting young people. Arianna de la Mancha JULY 9, 2026 When you attend #HealthyTeen26, you’re joining a community of educators, advocates, … Read More
Staff
Before You Choose a Logo, Choose a Role
How sexual health brand archetypes can help behavior change programs, products, and campaigns go further NICHOLAS SUFRINKO JUNE 25, 2026 Summer in America. Short shorts, rocket pops, and fireworks. New York is humming—still riding the high of a long-awaited Knicks … Read More
Staff
Insights from the Young People We Support
What do young people wish their providers knew about them? JB Rodriguez-Anello JUNE 15, 2026 Throughout my time working with the Thrivology Research Alliance members, a common theme kept popping up: Youth-supporting professionals have a ton of questions for young … Read More
Staff
Finding Belonging in Music
Music has the power to connect us to each other. Celease Jordan JUNE 11, 2026 This year, Healthy Teen Network’s conference theme is Made to Belong, highlighting the importance of connecting, finding community, and coming together. This April, I had the opportunity to … Read More
Staff
Why In-Person Work Still Matters
More than just a meeting; it’s a chance to reconnect. Jerrica Davis, MPH MAY 28, 2026 It’s hard to believe how long it’s been since remote work became our “new normal.” In a world where many of us have traded … Read More
Staff
Reimagining Creativity and Innovation With Puzzles
Puzzles helped me reimagine what creativity and innovation really look like. Rebecca Skinner, MSPH MAY 14, 2026 I never really thought I was a “creative” person. I’ve always been drawn to the field of science and health. I liked math … Read More
Staff
Innovation in Motion
Your work in progress belongs at the Healthy Teen Network Conference. Gina Desiderio, MA APRIL 23, 2026 Too often in life, we think we need to wait until we’ve got a final product—polished, proven, and perfect. Sure, a polished, finished … Read More
Staff
What If Parks and Green Spaces Were Designed for Young People?
3 ways to build better places to be young—and the overlooked link between Earth Day and teen health NICHOLAS SUFRINKO APRIL 22, 2026 Tree plantings, stream cleanups, and park renovations are classic, often-celebrated Earth Day wins. Less recognized, but just … Read More
Staff
From Justice to Joy: Centering Young Black Mothers in Reproductive Justice
The theme of this year’s Black Maternal Health Week, Rooted in Justice and Joy, asks us to consider what’s possible when justice is not the end goal, but the foundation for joy. Christy Altidor, MPH, CPH APRIL 13, 2026 Every … Read More
Staff
An Omnivert and a Remote Worker
Finding a balance between introversion and extroversion in remote work Caro Hernandez APRIL 9, 2026 In an organization like Healthy Teen Network, our team spans coasts, time zones, and departments, which can sometimes make it a bit more challenging. Each … Read More
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Showing Up for BIPOC and LGBTQ+ Young People
If you benefit from systems that center and affirm your identity, then you also have a responsibility to challenge the ways those same systems harm others. Arianna de la Mancha APRIL 2, 2026 On Transgender Day of Visibility, visibility is … Read More
Staff
The Power of Community Sex Education
Since humans have been around, people have been building communities and relationships to stay connected, to be protected, and to resist systems of oppression. Sam Akers, MSW MARCH 13, 2026 Whenever I open Instagram, it feels like my entire feed … Read More
Staff
Confessions of a Recovering Perfectionist
Why I started trying to overturn my pursuit of perfection. Megan Thomas MARCH 6, 2026 For a long time, being a perfectionist was something I chased. I couldn’t make any mistakes, couldn’t fail at anything I tried for the first … Read More
Staff
Grab Some Glitter: Every Training Needs a Little Sparkle
Looking to add some glitter and glow to your next training session? Here are a few tips I’ve collected along my journey to bring more joy into training. Celease Jordan FEBRUARY 26, 2026 I will proudly say that I identify … Read More
Staff
One Book, Two Takes: Calling In by Loretta J. Ross
Two of our staff weigh in on a recent read. Deborah Chilcoat, MEd Arianna de la Mancha February 12, 2026 The rage is exhausting these days. Not aligning lockstep with those you respect and love is terrifying. And being iced … Read More
Staff
How We Partnered with Sex Educators to Create Tools that Help You Stay Safer
Peek into the human-centered design process behind three new resources on supporting the safety of sex educators and other youth-supporting professionals. Charlie Blue Brahm, MA FEBRUARY 5, 2026 Sex ed is powerful work, and you deserve to feel safe doing … Read More
Staff
You Need to Learn About Sex…Even If You’re Not Having It
Why asexuality belongs in sex ed Megan Thomas JANUARY 26, 2026 It was late high school the first time I heard someone refer to asexuality. The only context I had for this term was biology class a few years earlier … Read More
Staff
Meet Rebecca, Our New Project Coordinator
We are excited to have Rebecca Skinner join our Innovation & Research Department! January 22, 2026 Please join us in welcoming Rebecca Skinner, MSPH, to the Healthy Teen Network team! Rebecca is a Project Coordinator in the Innovation and Research … Read More
Staff
Welcoming Julia, Our New Administrative Coordinator
We are excited to have Julia Atwood join our Operations & Finance Department! January 22, 2026 Please join us in welcoming Julia Atwood to Healthy Teen Network! Julia brings over a decade of administrative experience to her role as Administrative … Read More
Staff
Say Hello to Christy, Our New Senior Manager
We are excited to have Christy Altidor join our Innovation & Research Department! January 15, 2026 We’re excited to welcome Christy Altidor, MPH, CPH, to Healthy Teen Network! Christy is a dedicated public health practitioner with over a decade of … Read More
Staff
Meet JB, Our New Research Assistant
We are excited to have JB Rodriguez-Anello join our Innovation & Research Department! January 15, 2026 Please join us in welcoming JB Rodriguez-Anello to the Healthy Teen Network team! JB is a passionate sexuality education professional who brings over seven … Read More
Staff
How Do You Show Up in Stressful Moments?
Reflecting on how we act during times of stress—and why. JANUARY 8, 2026 Randa Dean, MPH JANUARY 8, 2026 A few years ago, during a job interview for a leadership role in an education-focused nonprofit, the interviewer asked me a … Read More
Staff
Let’s Look Back: Healthy Teen Network Flashback 2025
It’s been quite a year—join us for a look back at some of the highlights! Megan Thomas DECMEBER 22, 2025 As 2025 comes to a close, it’s the perfect time to look back at what you found most useful from … Read More
Staff
Perimenopause: The Group Project Nobody Signed Up For
We can’t erase the chaos of perimenopause, but we can absolutely erase the silence around it. Milagros Garrido, MS, PMP DECEMBER 18, 2025 Let me paint a familiar picture. You hit a certain age, and suddenly the internet, your friends, … Read More
Staff
Welcome to Our New Innovators
Five new teams have started their innovation journey with the In/Tend Incubator Hub Allison Tomai Felsen DECEMBER 4, 2025 At In/Tend, we’re on a mission to enhance the sexual and reproductive health and well-being of all young people. Through human-centered … Read More
Staff
A Moment of Thanks: What We’re Grateful for This Year
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
Staff
Rooted in Solidarity: Lessons from #HealthyTeen25
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
Staff
Let’s Be Honest: Not Everyone Gets to Fail Safely
We talk about innovation like it’s a playground. But the reality is not everyone has the same freedom to fail. Milagros Garrido, MS, PMP OCTOBER 23, 2025 Let me tell you a quick story about two organizations, both funded by … Read More
Staff
It’s Bananas: Why the Sexual Exposure Chart Belongs in the Bin
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
Staff
Getting Ready for #HealthyTeen25
It’s almost time to head to Atlanta, and we can’t wait to see you there! Charlie Blue Brahm, MA Arianna de la Mancha September 30, 2025 The countdown is on for #HealthyTeen25! With the major changes and challenges our field … Read More
Staff
Lighting the Way: Meet the #HealthyTeen25 Changemaker Awardee
In a time of continued and escalating attacks on sexual and reproductive health rights, driven by ideology and partisan agendas, it is the changemakers who are making it happen. Arianna de la Mancha SEPTEMBER 18, 2025 Healthy Teen Network has … Read More
Staff
Lighting the Way: Meet the #HealthyTeen25 Visionary Awardee
Visionaries dream of the endless possibilities in education, health care, technology, and policy, ensuring that what young people learn, experience, and discover about sexuality is relevant, timely, and inspiring. Arianna de la Mancha SEPTEMBER 18, 2025 Healthy Teen Network has … Read More
Staff
Lighting the Way: Meet the #HealthyTeen25 Young Parent Achievement Awardee
The Healthy Teen Network Young Parent Achievement Award not only recognizes young parents—it celebrates them and their accomplishments, for themselves and their families. Arianna de la Mancha SEPTEMBER 18, 2025 Healthy Teen Network has presented awards for decades as part … Read More
Staff
Take Your Conference Experience to the Next Level with Learning Add-Ons
Think of the Learning Add-Ons as a bonus upgrade—a chance to dive deeper, sharpen your skills, and connect with others who are passionate about the same work. Arianna de la Mancha SEPTEMBER 4, 2025 You’re likely already registered for #HealthyTeen25—that’s … Read More
Staff
Happy #AnalAugust: How Our Juiciest, Queer-Coded Health Campaigns Are Serving More Bounce Per Ounce
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
Staff
Sustainable Options for Periods and Sex
Care for yourself while caring for the earth. Patricia Natalie, MA AUGUST 21, 2025 I’ve always been passionate about finding ways to live more sustainably. I bring my own bags to the store, buy secondhand when I can, and constantly … Read More
Staff
We Shine Our Brightest Together
Over the course of three days, we’ll gather to reflect, recharge, and remember that we shine our brightest together. Arianna de la Mancha AUGUST 14, 2025 In a time of deep uncertainty and growing attacks on our communities, what gives … Read More
Staff
Help Us Bring Bold Ideas to SXSW 2026—Your Vote Matters!
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
Staff
What Does Teacher and Student Support Actually Look Like?
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