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
Staff
Sowing Seeds of Change: Ten Lessons Learned from our Beginner-Friendly Human-Centered Design Challenge
Human-centered design forces us to think differently. Teaching it is just as tricky—but we’ve learned a few things along the way. Emily (Skywark) Connor, MPH February 27, 2025 L earning and teaching human-centered design isn’t easy. It pushes us to … Read More
Staff
Why Safety Is the Foundational Pillar in Trauma-Informed Work…and Parenthood
Safety is the bedrock on which connection, collaboration, learning, and empowerment are built. Mackenzie Piper, MPH, CHES February 20, 2025 A t work, I’m learning about trauma-informed and healing-centered approaches for supporting young people and the professionals who work with … Read More
Staff
The Change-Makers’ Guide to Grammar: 10 Tips to Win Hearts and Change Minds
What if words can change everything? Nicholas Sufrinko February 13, 2025 “It is not enough for the reader of your words to be convinced,” writes Ta-Nehisi Coates in 2024’s The Message. “The goal is to haunt—to have them think about your … Read More
Staff
Changing the Narrative Around Body Image in Athletics
It’s time to re-examine the ways we talk about growing and changing bodies in sports. Kaitlyn LaBonte, LMSW January 23, 2025 On the day I played my last game, I woke up to the reality that my primary identity was … Read More
Staff
Sparkles, Glimmers, and Unforgettable Moments at #HealthyTeen24 Recap
Look back at the much-needed moments of light from #HealthyTeen24. Janet Max, MPH, CHES January 9, 2025 When we first developed the 2024 conference theme—Rise, Reimagine, and Reinvent—we didn’t know those words would provide comfort and guidance at this moment. … Read More
Staff
Meet Celease: Healthy Teen Network’s Newest Program Manager
We are excited to have Celease Jordan join our Capacity Building Department! January 2, 2025 At Healthy Teen Network, our strength lies in the passion and dedication of our team. We’re thrilled to introduce Celease, our new Program Manager, who … Read More
Staff
Say Hello to Megan, Our New Communications Designer
We are excited to have Megan Thomas join our Communications Department! January 2, 2025 We’re thrilled to welcome Megan Thomas as the newest member of our Communications Department! Joining Gina, Allison, Nick, and Arianna, Megan brings nearly a decade of … Read More
Staff
This Is Our Healthy Teen Network 2024 Wrapped
Every year, we’re making a difference—one resource, one conversation, and one connection at a time. Arianna de la Mancha December 19, 2024 As 2024 ends, we’re taking a moment to celebrate the milestones, growth, and impact we’ve achieved together this … Read More
Staff
The Power of Failure in Innovation
Failure is the beginning of a new path toward discovery, creativity, and innovation Milagros Garrido, MS, PMP December 19, 2024 When I was starting my professional life, I had the opportunity to work at a company that was preparing thoughtful, … Read More
Staff
There’s Still Time for Biden to Sign the ERA and Prohibit Discrimination Based on Sex
There’s little over a month left for Biden to take action to ensure gender equality is enshrined in our Constitution. Mimi Jacobie Mackenzie Piper, MPH, CHES Gina Desiderio, MA December 12, 2024 Tuesday, December 10, Congresswoman Cori Bush held a … Read More
Staff
We’re All Needed in the Fight to Protect Trans Young People
This Transgender Day of Remembrance, let’s honor those we’ve lost and redouble our commitments to giving trans young people the affirming support and care they need to thrive. Charlie Blue Brahm, MA November 14, 2024 Immediately following Transgender Awareness Week, … Read More
Staff
The Invisible Struggle: Hidden Disabilities and the Challenges of Being a Woman of Color in Leadership
To create safe, inclusive, and empowering spaces for all, the systems we operate within must recognize and support us as whole individuals with diverse needs and experiences. Milagros Garrido, MS, PMP October 3, 2024 T here’s an invisible battle many … Read More
Staff
Building Connections at #HealthyTeen24
Join us for the BIPOC Connect and Queer Connect—two vibrant spaces celebrating identity, creativity, and community through art, conversation, and fun. By Arianna de la Mancha October 17, 2024 A t #HealthyTeen24, we believe in the power of meaningful conversations … Read More
Staff
Is There Such a Thing as “Good English”?
Why plain language matters more than “perfect” English. By Patricia Natalie, MA September 9, 2024 I often hear the praise—”Your English is so good!”—when people find out that I’m an immigrant who speaks English as a second language. Sometimes, they … Read More
Staff
Our Must-Haves for Working Remotely
Cue the music, *these are a few of my favorite things!* By Sam Akers August 22, 2024 As of August 2023, 1 in 5 workers were working remotely. People love telework for a lot of different reasons! I’ve been working … Read More
Staff
Out and About in Phoenix for #HealthyTeen24
Get the scoop on what to add to your must see, eat, and do while you’re in Phoenix for the Healthy Teen Network annual national conference. By Shanise Taylor August 12, 2024 When Phoenix, Arizona, was announced as the host … Read More
Staff
You Just Found Out Your Teen Is Having Sex. Now What?
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
Staff
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
Staff
“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
Staff
Have Fun, Be Safe: A Provider’s Guide to Supporting Young People with Multiple Sexual Partners
Approach these conversations in a way that is affirming, inclusive, and nonjudgmental. By Charlie Blue Brahm, MA June 28, 2024 The stigmatization that exists culturally around having multiple sexual or romantic partners makes it all the more important for youth-supporting … Read More
Staff
From Seeds to Solutions: Innovation Blooms at Sprout
Learn about the ideas that bloomed at Sprout: A Design Challenge and explore the process that nourished creativity, with insights from an attendee. By Emily (Skywark) Connor By Deb Coffy June 13, 2024 For four days in May, seven teams, … Read More
Staff
Celebrating AANHPI Month
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
Staff
The Not-So-Top-Secret Mission to Improve Adolescent Health Outcomes
Dive deep into county-level data to identify factors contributing to the sexual and reproductive health outcomes of young people in your community! By Deborah Chilcoat, MEd May 16, 2024 Here is your mission, should you choose to accept it: Dive … Read More
Staff
So You Want to Be a Sex Educator: Wisdom and Advice from our Staff
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
Staff
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
Staff
5 Queer Sex Ed Resources by and for Young People
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
Staff
How to Masturbate: Everything You Need to Know About Self Pleasure
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
Staff
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
Staff
Welcome, Emily!
We’re excited to have Emily Rose Connor join our Innovation and Research Department February 22, 2024 We’re excited to have Emily Rose Connor join Milagros, April, Bianca, Charlie Blue, Dai, Kaitlyn, and Patricia in our Innovation and Research department as … Read More
Staff
Welcome, April!
Staff
Welcome, Jerrica!
We’re excited to have Jerrica Davis join our Capacity Building department! December 1, 2023 Jerrica Davis, MPH, is a passionate public health professional with a commitment to improving the health and well-being of all adolescents through equity- and reproductive justice-centered … Read More
Staff
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
Staff
Starting with Safe Spaces: The Value of Community Agreements
Starting with Safe Spaces: The Value of Community Agreements Patricia and Kaitlyn explore the significance of community agreements in fostering safe, inclusive spaces for youth-supporting professionals and the young people they serve. October 26, 2023 With Thrivology, creating trauma-informed and … Read More
Staff
Welcome, Caro!
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
Staff
Welcome, Arianna!
Staff
A Mind Flayer from Stranger Things? The Brooms from Fantasia?! No, Friends…It’s the Clitoris!
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
Staff
Our Culture of Innovation
We push the boundaries of imagination to develop innovative approaches to adolescent health. This is how we create the space to do it. By Kaitlyn LaBonte, LMSW By Milagros Garrido, MS, PMP August 1, 2023 We live in a world … Read More
Staff
Taking Time to Smell the Roses at #HealthyTeen23
From art and eats to the International Rose Test Garden, there’s plenty to explore in Portland! By Shanise Taylor July 24, 2023 Pack your bags and goods because we’re hitting the trail! The Oregon Trail! No, not really, but if … Read More
Staff
Welcome, Monique!
Staff
Give Your Contraceptive Lessons a Refresh
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
Staff
Welcome, Charlie Blue!
We’re excited to have Charlie Blue Brahm join our Innovation & Research Department! June 22, 2023 We’re excited to have Charlie Blue join Mila, Nick, Patricia, and Kaitlyn in our Innovation and Research department as a Design Researcher. Before … Read More