New Resources in Adolescent Sexual Health December 2013 The following are resources for those working in the fields of adolescent sexual health, HIV, STI, and pregnancy prevention. The list is compiled quarterly and is not an all-inclusive list. Resources should be reviewed locally to determine appropriateness and fit for specific programs and communities. Information is geared toward a variety of audiences (e.g., parents, educators, clinical providers, teens); therefore, it is important to review and determine the most appropriate audience(s). Addressing Sexual Health in Schools: Policy Issues. September 2013. http://advocatesforyouth.org/school-policy Source: Healthy Teen Network. This resource is intended to guide educators, administrators, and advocates in assessing the sexual health policies and practices in their states, school districts, and schools. The guide brings together years of policy, research, and advocacy efforts illuminating the need for young people to have access to the sexual health education and services they need to ensure their overall health and well-being. This compendium of policy considerations was developed as a resource for schools and community partners to support the implementation of policies addressing sexual health in schools. Policy Statement on Condom Use by Adolescents. October 2013. pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/201 3/10/23/peds.2013-2821.full.pdf Source: American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). This new policy statement updates a 2001 statement. It was developed to help pediatricians’ understanding and support of condom use by their patients to prevent Last Revised: December 3, 2013 unintended pregnancies and STDs. AAP acknowledges that although abstinence from sexual activity is the most effective method for the prevention of pregnancy and STDs, young people should be prepared for the time when they will become sexually active—if they are not already. Similar to the 2001 statement, the Committee reiterates the importance of comprehensive sexuality education, recommending: “Condom availability programs should be developed through a collaborative community process and accompanied by comprehensive sequential sexuality education to be most effective. This is ideally part of a K–12 health education program, with parental involvement, counseling, and positive peer support.” Puberty Is Coming Earlier, But That Doesn't Mean Sex Ed Is. October 2013. www.npr.org/2013/10/17/226116537/pubertyscoming-earlier-but-that-doesnt-mean-sex-ed-is Source: National Public Radio (NPR). This NPR report talks about a fictional play about puberty that is being brought to audiences as young as fifth grade. The changes kids grapple with in the play are beginning earlier than a generation ago. Researchers are debating the possible links to environmental chemicals, stress and obesity. But regardless of the cause, more and more kids are already well into puberty by the time sex education begins in school. Physicians emphasize that teaching kids about puberty in fifth grade is too late. New Training Modules about Sex Education and Services. October 2013. http://advocatesforyouth.org/training-modules Source: Advocates for Youth. This webpage includes access to four online training modules. Topics include: The Role of School Health Advisory Councils (SHACs) in Comprehensive Sexual Health Policies and Programs. Mapping State Sexuality Education Standards and Evidence-Based Curricula to the National Sexuality Education Standards. Reducing Homophobia in Schools. Social Media 101: Connecting Youth to Health and Social Services with Facebook, Twitter, and Text Messaging. Teen Pregnancy and Childbearing. November 2013. www.childtrends.org/wpcontent/uploads/2013/11/201305TeenPregnancyChildbearing.pdf Source: Child Trends. This Adolescent Health Highlight presents key research findings about teen pregnancy and childbearing. Page 1 of 2 Dating and Sexual Relationships. October 2013. www.childtrends.org/wpcontent/uploads/2013/10/201304DatingSexualRelationships.pdf Source: Child Trends. This Adolescent Health Highlight presents key research findings about the prevalence of and trends in adolescents’ dating and sexual relationships; discusses dating and sexual behaviors that may put adolescents at risk for negative outcomes; examines how these behaviors vary by gender, age, and race/ethnicity; and considers individual, family, and media influences on adolescents’ sexual behaviors. Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs). October 2013. www.childtrends.org/wpcontent/uploads/2013/10/2013-07STDs.pdf Source: Child Trends. This Adolescent Health Highlight presents key research findings about the trends in STD rates among U.S. adolescents, discusses factors that heighten or reduce adolescents' risk of acquiring an STD, and provides information and resources on STD prevention and testing. Youth and Family Planning: Findings from a Focus Group. November 2013. www.actforyouth.net/resources/rf/rf_familyplanning_1113.pdf Source: Act for Youth. Do you think youth have positive impressions of birth control? Think again. This fact sheet summarizes the result of a focus group study that looked into young people's experiences and beliefs regarding birth control and family planning services. Getting the Facts Straight on the Benefits of Birth Control in America: Summary. November 2013. www.thenationalcampaign.org/resources/pdf/bri efly-facts-straight.pdf Source: The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy. Pregnancy planning, and the use of birth control in particular, are directly linked to a wide array of benefits to women, children, and society. This brief outlines all the benefits in detail. Teen Media Use Part I: Increasing and On the Move. November 2013. www.hhs.gov/ash/oah/news/e-updates/eupdatenov-2013.html Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Office of Adolescent Health. In recent years, innovations in Internet and mobile technologies have created opportunities Last Revised: December 3, 2013 for adolescents to use media and connect in new ways. In this update on adolescent media use, there is information on how youth are interacting with media, especially TV, computers, and mobile devices. SEXUAL HEALTH E-LEARNING: Assessment on Professional Development Opportunities for Educators. September 2013. www.healthyteennetwork.org/vertical/sites/%7B B4D0CC76-CF78-4784-BA7C5D0436F6040C%7D/uploads/eLearning_PD_Resources_Fact_Sheet_FINAL.pdf Source: Healthy Teen Network. This report is a review of sexual health elearning professional development opportunities for educators, assessing accessibility, affordability, content and visuals, quality, appropriateness for adult learners, assessments, cost, and duration. What Does It Take to Implement Evidence-Based Practices? A Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program Shows the Way. November 2013. www.bridgespan.org/Publications-andTools/Performance-Measurement/Evidencebased-Practices.aspx Source: The Bridgespan Group. This new report concluded that the federally funded Teen Pregnancy Prevention (TPP) program is showing promise as a model for supporting the growth of evidence-based programs (EBPs). The article covers how EBPs and grantees were selected in the TPP program and how fidelity to the original programs was maintained through training and technical assistance. The report also discusses six key elements that create an "ecosystem" of support needed to scale the use of EBPs. For More Information Laurie Bechhofer Michigan Department of Education BechhoferL@michigan.gov HIV, STD, and Sex Education in Schools www.michigan.gov/hived Kara Anderson Michigan Department of Community Health AndersonK10@michigan.gov Teen Pregnancy Prevention www.michigan.gov/teenpregnancy Page 2 of 2