EDITOR’S NOTE: The length of this post is in violation of my “cut-to-the-chase” standard. Apologies in advance. By Valerie Sedivy, PhD December 4, 2023With much joy but also much sadness, last week, we gave our warmest wishes to our beloved colleague and Director of...
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, 2023It’s been almost four months since the Department of Education in my home state of Virginia released new model...
Thank you for taking care with us at #HealthyTeen23; now let’s work together to take action.By Janet Max, MPH, CHES October 20, 2023As I was drafting my opening remarks for #HealthyTeen23 and reflecting on our conference, I realized this was my 20th conference with...
We’re excited to have Caro Hernandez join our Capacity Building department! September 29, 2023We’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 of...
We’re excited to have Arianna de la Mancha join our Communications Department! September 28, 2023We’re excited to have Arianna join Gina, Allison, and Mariah in our Communications department as a Communications Designer. Arianna de la Mancha is an artist, writer, sex...
In recognition of the Program’s efforts to ensure all menstruating students have the opportunity for safe, dignified self-care September 13, 2023Our nation’s young people face continued and escalating attacks on their sexual and reproductive health rights, driven by...
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 CowsertAugust 31, 2023While Pride month has already wrapped up this Summer,...
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, 2023Have you ever walked into a health care facility and felt totally overwhelmed? Or been unsure how to talk to your health care...
Tales from an impromptu poll among friends...and a challenge for you.By Mackenzie Piper, MPH, CHES August 3, 2023Afew months ago, I was getting ready for a for a sex ed workshop with a group of adults. In preparation, I decided to purchase another anatomical model to...
We need to be mindful of our language to ensure that we’re reaching young people of all genders.By Vanessa GeffrardJuly 13, 2023As health educators, it’s likely that we’ll teach a lesson, or answer questions about, birth control for a classroom full of curious young...
Support your students to feel informed and in control of their health!By Allison Tomai Felsen June 23, 2023As part of its efforts to bring the very best sexual health education to Maryland youth, True You Maryland, a program of the Maryland Department of Health, has...
Learn more—and get resources—about how to create affirming spaces for your students.By Allison Tomai Felsen June 15, 2023The onslaught of attacks on the basic human right for people to exist just continues to be exhausting. Banning books, censoring curricula, banning...
Community Leaders, Parents, and Guardians Lend Their Voice to Promote #SexEdForAllMay 3, 2023For Immediate ReleaseB altimore, MD — May is Sex Ed For All Month, a time community leaders, caring adults, and advocates call on local school boards, parent-teacher...
Together, by advocating in our communities, we can ensure Sex Ed for All.April 27, 2023As April winds down, and as we look ahead to the start of May next week, we wanted to take a moment to share with you the history behind May as Sex Ed for All Month. We also wanted...
There are many myths and misunderstandings about these infections, but one truth remains: people living with STIs can lead healthy, full lives. By Sam Akers, MSWApril 7, 2023 Oftentimes, when people hear “sexually transmitted infections,” their first thoughts are of...
#SexEdForAll Month is an opportunity to raise awareness and call for real investment in sex education in schools and communities across the country. March 14, 2023The seasons are changing, and May will be here before you know it. That means it’s time to start getting...
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 March 6, 2023Many years ago, I still remember being introduced to a short story titled “Why is Jason in the...
Our Thoughts on Why Sex Ed Matters By Sam AkersFebruary 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 I do, because it matters.” Going home for the holidays can bring...
How are you taking care and taking action in 2023?February 17, 2023This one is for you—the caregivers, teachers, and changemakers who give it all for today’s youth and the generations yet to come. This one is for you—the caregivers, teachers, and changemakers who give...
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 CowsertJanuary 27, 2023Irecently went in to get my annual flu shot at the CVS in my...
Generation to generation, we can all learn from each other's stories and experiencesBy Deborah Chilcoat, MEd January 13, 2023I Googled “grandparents as sex educators” today. I wanted to write about the role grandparents play in educating their grandchildren about...
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, 2023Talking about sexuality in the classroom can be awkward! We’ve all been there. But there’s a...
Young people have a right to quality, affirming sex education...and regardless of political affiliation, parents and young people agreeBy Mariah CowsertMay 1, 2021Aworld where all young people lead healthy and fulfilling lives...that’s the dream, right? And it’s not...
Our role as sex educators has never been more important—or more at risk. December 22, 20222022 has been nothing short of a difficult year for our community of professionals and the incredible young people we serve each and every day. When working through the...
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, 2022As I was passing my pups laying on the couch (spoiled), looking so carefree (except when they...
Thank you for daring to dream with us in Miami!November 4, 2022During our staff meeting before the conference, we asked everyone to share one thing they were excited about for this year’s conference. Every single person mentioned they were excited to be together, in...
We’re excited to have Saumya Sao join our Capacity Building & Evaluation team! October 16, 2022We’re excited to have Saumya join Valerie, Deb, Mac, and Sam in our Capacity Building and Evaluation department as a Project Coordinator. Their bubbly energy,...
Check out the sights and bites on our Must-Do list while we’re at #HealthyTeen22. By Shanise Taylor October 3, 2022Miami is not only the setting for one of pop culture’s favorite television shows, Golden Girls; it’s also the setting for the #HealthyTeen22, our 43rd...
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, 2022Information that’s as incomplete as...
Religion and faith does play a role in shaping our views on sex and sexuality. By Allison Tomai Felsen July 14, 2022You might be thinking the same thing that I was when I first read the title and description to our recent training series—Demystifying Sexual Taboos:...
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