The Pregnant Students Rights Act stigmatizes, restricts, and shames people’s choices.By Patti FlowersBy Mackenzie FlynnSeptember 26, 2024We’ve been paying attention to The Pregnant Student Rights Act (H.R.6914/S.2974), which Congress is currently considering. When it...
Forget Gen Alpha…This Is Gen Sigma
Making the case for teens born between 2007 and 2013 to become the next micro-generationBy Gina Desiderio July 19, 2024What the sigma!? “Gen Alpha” is skibidi ohio toilet! Today’s tweens and teens are “Gen Sigma.” No cap! (For those of us who need that translated,...
To Be Who They Are. To Live. To Thrive. These Are the Basic Human Rights Denied to Nex Benedict.
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, 2024The latest update on the cause of Nex...
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, CHESDecember 14, 2023This October, I attended the #HealthyTeen23 conference to accept the...
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, MANovember 9, 2023It’s been almost four months since the Department of Education in my home state of Virginia released new model...
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 CowsertAugust 31, 2023While Pride month has already wrapped up this Summer,...
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 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...
Defend LGBTQ+ Rights by Creating Inclusive Learning Spaces
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...
Parents and Youth Agree on Sex Ed for All
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...
What’s Next in the Endless Attack on Our Rights and Freedoms?
Our freedom, our rights, are being restricted by a radical minority that does not represent the majority of Americans. By Gina Desiderio June 27, 2022Like many of you, here at Healthy Teen Network, we’re feeling the weight of the Supreme Court decision last week to...
How Youth Development Professionals Might Want to Address “Parent Rights”
Perhaps these rebuttals to central themes in the “parent rights” movement will be useful to youBy Bob Reeg, MPA, CVA May 26, 2022(To be clear, I am not assailing the rights of parent’s writ large. This is a commentary on the latest set of restrictive and...
The Power of the Anonymous Question Box
There’s a reason just about every sex ed program uses a question box. By Mackenzie Piper May 12, 2022The first session of each new sex ed program typically looks the same—an ice breaker of some sort, creating and signing onto group agreements, a first activity to get...
“Don’t Say Gay” Bill Means It’s More Important than Ever to Bring #HealthyTeen22 to Florida
Legislation that restricts young people’s rights isn’t a reason to stay away…it’s a reason to come and get loud.By Gina Desiderio March 22, 2022It’s more important than ever for us to bring #HealthyTeen22 to Florida. Our annual national conference, Dare to Dream of a...
Comprehensive Means Intersectional: Moving Sex Education Forward
If youth don’t have equal access to comprehensive sex ed, then it is not intersectional. And it’s on us to change that. March 10, 2022Intersectional sex ed is possible, but what does that mean? Sex ed should be as robust and diverse as young people are today. And it’s...
Are You Ready to Rock?
Just in time for back to school, check out these 4 ways to revitalize your sex ed this year! September 15, 2021To kick off a new school year, the Sex Education Collaborative brings us expert advice from LeKara Simmons, one of the Sex Education Collaborative members,...
Say Hello to Sam!
Join us in welcoming Sam to the Healthy Teen Network family! By Deborah Chilcoat, MEd September 2, 2021How is it possible that rays of sunshine actually radiate through my monitor when I have Zoom meetings with our newest staff person, Sam Akers? Sam AkersSam joined...
GSAs Are Where LGBTQ+ Youth & Allies Come Together
With more youth feeling free to live their authentic sexualities and build relationships that reflect that, it’s up to educators and youth-supporting professionals to keep up momentum for supporting LGBTQ+ young people in schoolsBy Mariah CowsertJune 30, 2021Growing...
On and Off the Field: How Title IX Protects the Rights of All Young People
Anyone who works in schools, or with students in other educational settings, can benefit from learning more about Title IX protections.By Mariah CowsertJune 24, 2021When you hear “Title IX,” your mind likely goes first to sports. Indeed, today, more than 100,000 women...
I’m Just a Bill: The Untold Story
I’m Just a Bill covers how a legislative bill makes its way to law. As a public policy advocacy practitioner for over 30 years, let me just say that how a bill becomes a law is more complicated than the short film conveys. By Bob Reeg, MPA, CVA June 3, 2021The I’m...
Welcome, Tonyé Fohsta-Lynch!
Tonyé brings a lot of energy, a commitment to centering youth voices, and multiple dimensions to her work.January 12, 2021We are stoked to welcome Tonyé Fohsta-Lynch as our newest staff member. Tonyé Fohsta-LynchSituated in the Capacity Building and Evaluation...
5 Tips for Teaching Sex Ed Remotely
Kickstart your school year with the Sex Education Collaborative's quick tips for teaching sex ed remotely.By Valerie Sedivy, PhD September 15, 2020To support educators navigating a new virtual learning environment this fall, the Sex Education Collaborative has...
Legislation to Reauthorize Pregnancy Assistance Fund (PAF) Introduced
PAF provides vital support services to empower young parents and their children to thrive. June 26, 2019For Immediate ReleaseW ashington, DC — Yesterday, July 25, Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Robert Casey (D-PA) introduced legislation (S.2296) to reauthorize the...
Tips for Communication with Teens Remotely
As connecting remotely becomes increasingly important, how can we build lasting relationships with young people?By Elise SchusterJuly 24, 2020It's become increasingly clear that our new normal is going to involve a lot of connecting remotely. While there are many...
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, 2020D iscrimination against pregnant and parenting students is alive and well…and could be getting...
Healthy Teen Network Joins Over 50 Organizations in Calling for LGBTQ+ Inclusive Sex Education this Pride Month
The Sex Education Collaborative envisions a world in which all young people’s right to comprehensive, high-quality sex education is recognized and fulfilled. June 22, 2020For Immediate ReleaseBaltimore, MD — Today, Healthy Teen Network is proud to join over 50...
Pregnancy Assistance Fund (PAF) Reauthorization Sign-On Letter
PAF provides vital support services to empower young parents and their children to thrive. Updated December 02, 2020For Immediate ReleaseDear Member of Congress: The undersigned organizations express our support for the Pregnancy Assistance Fund (PAF) and urge...
Sex Education Collaborative Launches Website with Open Access Training Hub
The Sex Education Collaborative envisions a world in which all young people’s right to comprehensive, high-quality sex education is recognized and fulfilled. May 21, 2020For Immediate ReleaseB altimore, MD — As remote learning continues for much of the country,...
6 Edtechs Compete in a Voice Challenge
This is an excerpt from an article posted on EdSurge by Diana Lee featuring one of Healthy Teen Network’s latest innovations. May 7, 2020 T hree finalists focus on student life skills to win. In July 2019, Amazon Web Services (AWS) and SXSW EDU issued a challenge to...
Victory In Teen Pregnancy Prevention Case For City of Baltimore, Healthy Teen Network, and Democracy Forward
Judge overturns HHS’s decision to cut grants for Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program. Three times in one week, Federal Courts have ruled HHS’s cuts to Teen Pregnancy Prevention unlawful.April 26, 2018For Immediate ReleaseB altimore, MD — Late yesterday afternoon, the...
City of Baltimore, Healthy Teen Network Scheduled to Appear in Federal Court to Fight the Trump Administration’s Unlawful Cuts to Teen Pregnancy Prevention Programs
Trump officials slashed grants to evidence-based Teen Pregnancy Prevention Programs in Baltimore City that helped reduce teen pregnancy rates to all-time low. In attempting to dismiss case, government lawyers do not dispute harm suffered by program grantees. April 18,...
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