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
Youth-Friendly
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
Youth-Friendly
“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
Youth-Friendly
Trauma-Informed Needs to Be the Rule, Not the Exception
Finding the right health care provider feels a lot like dating—trial and error, dealbreakers, and all. But after my recent experience, I’ve realized that trauma-informed care is a non-negotiable. Here’s how to find a provider who truly listens and supports … Read More
Youth-Friendly
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
Youth-Friendly
In/Tend Incubator Hub Office Hours
Are you passionate about making positive change in adolescent sexual and reproductive health? Interested in digging deep into the world of human-centered design to address real-world challenges? If this sounds like something you’d like to do, then we have an … Read More
Youth-Friendly
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
Youth-Friendly
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
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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
Youth-Friendly
Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program’s Adolescent Sexual Health Innovation Hubs Showcase
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
Youth-Friendly
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
Youth-Friendly
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
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Taking Care of Each Other at #HealthyTeen23
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
Youth-Friendly
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
Youth-Friendly
How Youth-Friendly is Your Clinic?
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
Youth-Friendly
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
Youth-Friendly
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
Youth-Friendly
Welcome, Monique!
Youth-Friendly
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
Youth-Friendly
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
Youth-Friendly
Offering the “Right Support” for Young Parents
Young parents are usually really motivated to access services…it’s our job to make sure the supports are they and they can access them. By Valerie Sedivy, PhD May 18, 2023 In a perfect world, Mother’s Day is a celebration of … Read More
Youth-Friendly
STI Stigma Be Gone!
Youth-Friendly
Beyond Sexual & Reproductive Health: Linking Young People to Mental Health Resources
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
Youth-Friendly
New Year, Same WHY
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
Youth-Friendly
Treat Yourself to Protection from HPV & HPV-related Cancers
Happy HPV Prevention Week and Cervical Cancer Prevention Month! Here’s your reminder to treat yourself (and your kids) with protection from HPV and HPV-related cancers! By Mariah Cowsert January 27, 2023 Irecently went in to get my annual flu shot … Read More
Youth-Friendly
Supporting Youth Safety and Wellness in Sex Ed
Resources and information from a recent True You Maryland training to help support the mental health and safety of your students. By Allison Tomai Felsen January 5, 2023 Talking about sexuality in the classroom can be awkward! We’ve all been … Read More
Youth-Friendly
Talking to Your Dog about Sex: 5 Reasons to Prepare for Human Conversations with a More-Forgiving Furry Friend
If you are a dog parent, or ever had a loving pet in your life, you already know how responsive they are to our emotions. By Deborah Chilcoat, MEd December 15, 2022 As I was passing my pups laying on … Read More
Youth-Friendly
This Year, We’re Thankful for our Team
Youth-Friendly
Connecting Rural Youth to Sexual and Reproductive Health
When looking at sexual and reproductive health access across America, geography matters. And we see rural communities facing bigger gaps in access to services and comprehensive sex education. By Mackenzie Piper, MPH, CHES August 18, 2022 True You Maryland brings … Read More
Youth-Friendly
I Have Monkeypox—Here’s Where I’m Getting the Public Health Information I Need
Finding affirming, sex-positive, complete, and up-to-date information on monkeypox isn’t easy. Here’s a story about some of my sources, expected and unexpected, and the power of queer friendship. By Nicholas Sufrinko August 11, 2022 Information that’s as incomplete as it … Read More
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What We’re Watching this Pride Month (and beyond!)
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Would you like FRIES with that?
Sexting and digital consent are important topics to discuss with young people By Allison Tomai Felsen February 17, 2022 A study published in 2018 by JAMA Pediatrics found that sexting is becoming a more common practice among youth: about 1 … Read More
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We Found Love in a COVID Place
Alexa, play We Found Love by Rihanna ft. Calvin Harris By Mariah Cowsert January 13, 2022 It all started with a message on a dating app. Once our conversations got longer, we moved from messaging in the app to texting … Read More
Youth-Friendly
To be or not to be (on camera)? That is the question….
Quick tips to build motivation to turn the camera on. By Valerie Sedivy, PhD July 15, 2021 By far, the most common challenge we hear from facilitators working in virtual settings is that young people do not want to be … Read More
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Adolescents & the COVID-19 Vaccine
Well visits are a good venue for routine and COVID-19 vaccinations, as well as a variety of important screenings and assessments May 19, 2021 With the decline in routine pediatric immunizations and well-child visits during the COVID-19 pandemic, Healthy Teen … Read More
Youth-Friendly
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
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10 Ways to Help Young People Become Good Sexual Citizens: How Myth Busting and Youth Empowerment Increases Safety
Following these steps is a really effective way to guide young people towards becoming good sexual citizens. By Ellen Friedrichs, MA March 12, 2021 Recently, I was Zoom teaching a college class, and I asked my students to share any … Read More
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Engaging Young People Virtually
Sharing what we’ve learned from our Power through Choices facilitators. By Valerie Sedivy, PhD February 16, 2021 I know. You’re tired of Zoom, young people are tired of Zoom, and I’m tired of talking about how tired we all are … Read More
Youth-Friendly
Un/Filtered: Highlights from #HealthyTeen20
Now is the time to talk to youth about sex and technology. December 11, 2020 From sexting to dating apps, young people are connected to technology and digital media more than ever, and this connectivity is helping shape their virtual … Read More
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Tips for Communication with Teens Remotely
Youth-Friendly
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