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Young Adults Share
Positive Effects of SRA
at HHS Conference
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Choosing to Excel Panel Participants - L to R: Rob Butler, Dianka Moton, Archie Kerns
A group of dynamic young adults from Choosing to Excel had the opportunity to participate in a panel discussion during the 2019 Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Grantee Conference, "Partnering to Promote Positive Outcomes for All Youth." Their presentation focused on engaging young people with the SRA message through "positive role models, relevant messaging and setting high expectations." Among other things, the Conway, AR group shared the positive effects they are having in the Conway Public School system. Effective outcomes of Choosing to Excel's T4P program are evidenced by an over 15% increase in GPA amongst the students who participated, garnering the attention of Principal Benjamin Darley, who said, "It takes a lot of people all pulling in the same direction to have a positive impact. You are having that impact!" As they shared at the HHS conference, the panel aptly articulated that the SRA message is so much more than "just say no." It's taking the time to invest in kids, helping them dream and meeting each student where they are at, but not being willing to leave them in places where they do not belong. Hats off to the group for a job well done!
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State News
California: "It's Absolutely Critical for Parents to Become Involved"
Curricula adhering to California Healthy Youth Act standards have raised opposition over their graphic content and impropriety in several school districts, including Palo Alto, Cupertino, Fremont and San Diego. A recent panel was held to educate parents about their rights and responsibilities under the law in regard to California's sex education in public schools and encourage them to get involved. While the California Healthy Youth Act is law, parents still have the legal right to review all materials used for their child's sex ed and opt out their kids if they object to anything that is being taught. One panelist urged, "As a parent you are the most powerful person. That's your child."
Massachusetts: Presentation to Students "A Mistake"
Part of what was intended as a training opportunity for college and high school-age summer workers at the Worcester Youth Development & Professional Leadership Symposium, turned into a push for sexual risk reduction sex education in the Worcester schools." The presentation by Planned Parenthood encouraged students to advocate to the School Committee for "comprehensive" sex ed curriculum similar to the Making Proud Choices or Get Real curriculum that the School Committee had rejected in the past. Some Committee members decried the presentation saying that it had no place at a city-run event geared towards preparing students for the workplace. According to the Youth Services Director, allowing the presentation in the first place “was a mistake and the result of a miscommunication ... the presentation was removed and discontinued from the overall curriculum as soon as we learned about its political advocacy content.”
Pennsylvania: Parents Finally Receive Access to View Curriculum
After repeated requests to view State College Area School District's elementary sex ed curriculum, parents have finally gained access. Although Pennsylvania law states that parents have the “right to have their children excused from specific instruction” one parent found the district to be less than forthcoming when it came to actually letting them view the curriculum. “We asked to see the curriculum and were denied. We went to the parent meeting and were denied, we continued to ask for the curriculum and were ignored." It wasn't until they enlisted the help of legal counsel that they were finally able to see what their children would be taught.
Research
Long-Term Effects of Adolescent Connectedness
We've talked about parent/child connectedness in the past, but continued research shows just how important it is to the long-term positive benefits that last well into adulthood. This study concludes that both family and school connectedness may have multiple protective effects related to the physical, mental and sexual health of young people. The CDC further reports that adults who experienced strong connections as youth were 48%-66% less likely to engage in risky sexual behavior.
Opportunities
Program Manager Sought for CA Opportunity
The Obria Group is looking for a program manager to implement their family planning program in different counties in California including Santa Clara, Los Angeles and Orange counties. A bachelor's degree in health care or related field is required, as well as a minimum of 3 years experience in project management. Find complete details here.
SRA Educators Needed in Southwest Ohio!
Maximum Freedom, Inc. is looking for educators to go into Jr. and Sr. high school classes with a 4-day presentation that will empower teens with knowledge and strategies for making healthy choices regarding high-risk behaviors, relationships, and sexual activity.
This is a part-time position requiring a commitment of at least 2 weeks a month. Find out more information about Maximum Freedom here.
If you are interested, please contact Sue Benskin at sbenskin@maximumfreedom.org.
Resources
Syphilis: Age, Gender and Drug Use Statistics
It's no secret that rates of STIs have reached an all-time high regardless of race, gender or ethnic group. Over the past four years infection rates have increased exponentially causing a serious public health concern. These CDC resources breakdown syphilis by age and gender and includes information on the statistical relationship between primary and secondary syphilis and injection drug use.
Parent Corner
Communication by Emoji
Want to connect with Gen Z? Learn to speak emoji! In its first-ever Emoji Trend Report, Adobe found that 83% of Gen Zers feel more comfortable expressing emotion via emojis than phone conversations. When you compare that number to 71% of Millennials, 61% of Gen Xers, and 53% of Baby Boomers who felt that way, it’s clear that emojis are quickly becoming a staple in our culture’s lexicon, but Gen Zers are the quickest to replace actually talking with them. Of course, a picture is worth a thousand words, and sometimes words do fail us, but being able to feel, show, and voice our emotions with others is important, too. So while you learn to use emojis to connect with your teenagers, also reinforce the value of being real, honest, and vulnerable in face-to-face and/or phone conversations
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Sexual Risk
Avoidance
Specialist
Training
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SRAS Recertification: Has Your SRAS Credential Expired?
If you were SRAS certified in 2017 or renewed your certification in 2017, your SRA credential expires this year! Make sure you stay current by completing our new online SRAS Recertification program. Not sure when your certification expires? Contact us and we'll be happy to check for you!
SRAS Trainings
Check Out These Comments From Past SRAS Attendees!
"I felt everything was thorough, medically accurate, well-thought out, logical."
"The presenters were incredible. It was challenging but great."
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!
Greater Columbus, Ohio area - August 13-15, 2019
Greater Birmingham, AL area - August 21-22, 2019 -
- This training has been approved for 10.5 contact hours for Social Work
COMING SOON...
Indiana - October 16-17, 2019
Minot, ND - March 10-11, 2020
More 2019 dates and locations to be added soon!
For more information on all upcoming SRAS trainings, Click here.
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