Teenwise Minnesota Adolescent Parent eNews

August 2011

Do not wait for leaders. Do it alone, person to person.

-Mother Teresa

In the News

Safe Harbor Bill Passes in Minnesota

The Safe Harbor bill, HF556, sponsored by Rep. Steve Smith (R-Mound), was included in the omnibus public safety and judiciary finance bill, SF958, passed recently by the legislature and signed by Governor Dayton.

With the law now passed, Minnesota continues to prove it is a leader in protecting commercially sexually exploited children. The new law:

• Excludes sexually exploited children under 16 from the definition of delinquent child;
• Includes the definition of sexually exploited youth in Minnesota’s child protection code;
• Creates a mandatory first-time diversion for any 16 or 17 year old who has been exploited in prostitution (where the child meets the criteria);
• Allows prosecutors to continue diversion or to proceed with CHIPS petitions for children coming through the system an additional time;
• Increases penalties against offender "johns" from $250. The new penalty is a minimum of $500 and max of $750. 40 percent of fees will go to an account to serve child victims; and
• Directs the commissioner of public safety to work with stakeholders to create a victim-centered response to sexually exploited youth.

Announcements

Minneapolis' New School for Pregnant and Parenting Students

Broadway High School in Minneapolis underwent many changes last year. This year, the program will be revamped as an Alternative Learning Center and will be located at Longfellow School in south Minneapolis with room for 125 students and their children. A name for the new program has not yet been chosen.

Address: 3017 E. 31st St., Minneapolis, MN 55406
Phone: 612-668-4700
Moving: Week of August 8th
Registration Begins: Week of August 15th, 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Open House: August 31, 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Contact People:
Director of Education - Diane Glawe, diane.glawe@mpls.k12.mn.us
Coordinator of TAPPP and Child Care - Laura Knutson, laura.knutson@mpls.k12.mn.us
School Counselor - Lindsay Walters, lindsay.walters@mpls.k12.mn.us
School Social Worker - Cremella Chatham, cremella.chatham@mpls.k12.mn.us
Secretary - Deborah Landwehr, deborah.landwehr@mpls.k12.mn.us
Transportation - Shannon Myles, shannon.myles@mpls.k12.mn.us

Know Your Rights: A Conference Call for Pregnant and Parenting Students!
August 10, 2011 - 2 p.m. Central Time

Pregnant and parenting students have a right to equal educational opportunities! Join this conference call to get more information about protections for students against discrimination.

Expert Speakers will include:

• Lara S. Kaufmann, Senior Counsel, National Women's Law Center
• Jeanette Pai-Espinosa, President, National Crittenton Foundation

Whether you're a student, guardian, educator, counselor or community member, our experts on Title IX can help answer your questions. To register, click here.

Teenwise Minnesota's Summer Movie Series

Join the staff of Teenwise Minnesota on August 18 when we watch The Boy Show from The Youth Performance Company. We'll be in the basement conference room across from the Teenwise office from 3:30-4:30 p.m.—with soda and popcorn to share! RSVP to charissa@teenwisemn.org. See you then!

Upcoming Teen Parent Connection Meetings

Research

Early Childhood Development of Late-Preterm Infants: A Systematic Review

This study in Pediatrics conducted a broad examination of literature relating to early childhood development at the ages of one to seven years of late-preterm infants (LPIs) born at 34 to 36 weeks' gestation by using nine electronic databases (January 1980 to March 2010). Evidence suggests that LPIs are at increased risk of adverse developmental outcomes and academic difficulties up to seven years of age in comparison to term infants. An infant control group matched for gestational age has not been used; thus, for LPIs, the effect of neonatal admission on longer-term outcomes has not been fully explored. Systematic measurement of early childhood outcomes is lacking, and focused long-term follow-up studies are needed to investigate early childhood development after late-preterm birth.

NIH Study Finds Increased Death Risk for Early Term Births

This study in found that infants born in the 37th or 38th week of pregnancy have a higher risk of dying before age one than do infants born between 39 and 40 weeks, according to researchers at the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and the March of Dimes. Risk is highest for African-American infants.

Intergenerational Transmission of Sexual Victimization Vulnerability as Mediated Via Parenting

This study in Child Abuse & Neglect examined a community sample of 913 mothers and their college-bound daughters, recruited at the time of the daughter's high school graduation. Findings suggest that even in a highly functional community sample, mothers' sexual victimization experiences are significantly associated with aspects of their parenting behavior and with their daughters' own experiences of adolescent sexual victimization.

Resources

Baby Steps: A Handbook for Teen Moms-To-Be

This guide (PDF) is written just for teen moms, covering the topics teens said they wanted to learn more about. It can be used as a resource and a workbook for young moms.

Public Internet Channel Series: 9INE

In an effort to help reduce the number of teen pregnancies and become part of the national conversation, the Public Internet Channel produced 9INE, a new dramatic web video series. The show examines teen pregnancy from the young father-to-be's point of view, and is a realistic and empathetic portrayal of issues facing expectant teen parents, including firsthand accounts from real teens woven into the end of each episode. 9INE provides a powerful spotlight on the decisions teens face when confronted with pregnancy. Viewers have access to resources and information about sexual health, a blog written by youth plus full episodes (each less than 10 min.).

Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services

The CLAS Institute identifies, collects, reviews, catalogs, abstracts and describes materials and practices developed for children and families from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and professionals who work with them. CLAS has:

• Created a resource bank and catalog of validated, culturally and linguistically appropriate materials, and of documented effective strategies, for early intervention and preschool services.
• Conducted a review of materials by experts in the fields of early childhood education, early intervention/early childhood special education, and in multicultural education, considering issues not only of effectiveness but also of social, cultural and linguistic acceptability to children and families from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
• Disseminates reviewed materials and practices that meet the dual criteria of effectiveness and cultural and linguistic appropriateness for all relevant stakeholders.

The Teen Brain: Still Under Construction

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has published a new brochure for public education, entitled "The Teen Brain: Still Under Construction."

Policy Action Alert

Take Action Today: Urge Congress to Help Pregnant and Parenting Teens Graduate!

U.S. Representatives Jared Polis (D-CO) and Judy Chu (D-CA) have introduced the Pregnant and Parenting Students Access to Education Act (H.R. 2617) (PDF), comprehensive legislation to improve high school graduation rates and access to postsecondary educational and career opportunities for pregnant and parenting students.

Urge your U.S. Representative to co-sponsor H.R. 2617 as a show of support for young families. Call your U.S. Senators to introduce companion legislation to reduce the dropout rate among pregnant and parenting students.

National endorsing organizations such as Healthy Teen Network, National Women's Law Center, National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, and National Network for Youth. The bill has the support of many state and local organizations as well, including Teenwise Minnesota.

The Pregnant and Parenting Students Access to Education Act responds to the high school dropout crisis in our nation. Pregnancy and parenting responsibilities significantly increase a student's risk of dropping out of school. In a nationwide survey of dropout youth, close to one-half of all female dropouts and one-third of male dropouts said that becoming a parent played a role in their decision to leave school. Providing educational and related supports for pregnant and parenting students, such as would be available under H.R. 2617, can go a long way toward improving school climate for young parents and increasing their high school graduation rates.

Please take action today, share this announcement with your networks and urge them to do the same!

Federal Bill Introduced Supporting Homeless Youth

The Educational Success for Children and Youth Without Homes Act of 2011 (HR 1253) amends the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act's program of grants to states and, through them, subgrants to local educational agencies (LEAs) for the education of homeless youth. The companion Senate bill is Educational Success for Children and Youth Without Homes Act of 2011 (S. 571).

Highlighted Programs

Effectiveness of a Combined Home Visiting and Group Intervention for Low Income African American Mothers: The Pride in Parenting Program

This study in Maternal and Child Health Journal proposed to test whether paraprofessional visitors drawn from the community could effectively influence health and mothers' parenting behaviors and attitudes. African American mothers with inadequate prenatal care were recruited at delivery and randomized to intervention or usual care groups. The Pride in Parenting intervention curriculum was delivered through both home visitation and parent-infant groups for one year. The intervention curriculum was designed to improve knowledge, influence attitudes and promote life skills that would assist low-income mothers in offering better health oversight and development for their infants. Both intervention and usual care groups received monthly social work contact over the one-year study period to provide referrals for identified needs. The intervention participants improved their home environments, a characteristic important for promoting good child development. Mothers' perceptions of available social support improved and child-rearing attitudes associated with child maltreatment were reduced.

The full curriculum, Pride in Parenting, as well as handouts used in the controlled study above are available here.

Upcoming Teenwise Minnesota Trainings

August 16-18, 2011
Making Proud Choices!: Training of Educators

8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., August 16 and 17
8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., August 18
Keewaydin Elementary School
5209 30th Avenue South, Minneapolis

Making Proud Choices! is an 8-module curriculum for use by school districts, faith communities and community organizations that provides adolescents with the knowledge, confidence and skills to reduce their risk of STI/HIV and pregnancy. This curriculum, designed for youth ages 11-13, emphasizes waiting to have sex or using condoms if young people choose to have sex. In addition to the 2 1/2 days of highly interactive training, each participant receives a copy of the Making Proud Choices! curriculum, an activity set and video clips.

For more information and to register, see the flyer and registration form (PDF). Click here to register online. Questions? Contact Jill at 651-644-1447 x18, jill@teenwisemn.org.

August 18, 2011
Teenwise Minnesota's Summer Movie Series

Join the staff of Teenwise Minnesota on August 18 when we watch The Boy Show from The Youth Performance Company. We'll be in the basement conference room across from the Teenwise office from 3:30-4:30 p.m.—with soda and popcorn to share!

RSVP to charissa@teenwisemn.org. See you then!

August 22-23 and 29-30, 2011
It's That Easy! Parent Educator Training

August 22-23 - Willmar
August 29-30 - Roseville
Both trainings: 8:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Willmar
Health and Human Service Building - Multi Purpose Room
2200 23rd Street NE, Willmar

Roseville
Minnesota Department of Education - Conference A - Room CC 14
1500 Highway 36 West, Roseville

If you work with parents/caregivers of children aged birth to 18, you are in a unique position to support them in their critical role as sexuality educators for their children. However, sexuality is not always easy to discuss. Come learn tools and techniques to engage parents/caregivers in developmentally appropriate approaches to raising sexually healthy children. Participants receive the It's That Easy! resource manual, a comprehensive guide designed to help you work with parents in your community.

For more information and to register, see the flyer and registration form for Willmar (PDF) or Roseville (PDF). Click here to register for the Willmar training. Click here to register for the Roseville training. Questions? Contact Jocelyn at 651-644-1447 x19, jocelyn@teenwisemn.org.

Other Upcoming Trainings

August 12 - September 20, 2011
New Advanced Early Warning Signs: Early Identification and Prevention Strategies for Children's Mental Health Disorders

Workshop Dates and Locations:

August 12, 12:30-3:30 p.m.
AAA Headquarters Community Room
5400 Auto Club Way, St. Louis Park

August 16, 12:30-3:30 p.m.
Minnesota Council of Churches
Assembly Room, Minnesota Church Center
122 Franklin Avenue West, Minneapolis

September 1, 12:30-3:30 p.m.
Roseville Public Library
2180 North Hamline, Roseville

September 20, 4:00-7:00 p.m.
Merriam Park Library
1831 Marshall Avenue, St. Paul

Each participant will receive the brand new updated version of the Educator's Guide to Children's Mental Health and three CEHs. Visit www.macmh.org for more information and to register.

August 18 and 25, 2011
iBrain 2011: The Effect of Technology on Brain Development, Function, and Social Interaction

August 18, 12:30-3:30 p.m.
Carondelet Center, Room G1
1890 Randolph Avenue, St. Paul

August 25, 12:30-3:30 p.m.
Minnetonka Community Center, Shady Oak Room
14600 Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka

This workshop will present the expanding body of research finding that early and excessive electronic stimulation may not only affect brain functioning, but stimulation may actually change physiological development of the brain. Increased aggression, mood problems, disrupted sleep patterns, poor social skills, disorganized thinking, increased agitation and irritability, and even increased rates of ADHD and autism are possible results. Specific examples of "brain enhancing" and "brain limiting" technology as well as specific guidelines, will be offered. To register for this session and others in this training series, click here.

September 12-13, 2011
2011 Reproductive and Sexual Health Update

University of Minnesota Continuing Education Center, St. Paul

Keynote speakers include:

• Keith Henry, HIV Update
  Keith Henry, M.D. is a professor of medicine at the University of Minnesota School of Medicine and director of HIV Research at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
• Joy Friedman, Family Planning Response to Human Trafficking in Minnesota
  Joy Friedman is Women's Program Manager at Breaking Free, an organization dedicated to women and girls who have been victims of abuse and commercial sexual exploitation.
• Carol Ball, MD, Contraceptive Update
  Carol Ball is Medical Director for Planned Parenthood of Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota.

September 12, 2011
Pre-conference
(Trans)Gender Sexuality Education: Why it Matters to Everyone!

Visit www.hcet.info for registration information. See the agenda (PDF) for more details.

September 19, 2011
8th Annual Women's Health Research Conference: A Focus on Perinatal, Maternal and Child Health

McNamara Alumni Center, University of Minnesota

This conference will focus on presentations that inform the audience about the latest evidence-based methods to address numerous perinatal health concerns of women and infants. Each speaker will be a leader in developing evidence-based models for identifying and addressing the health of women and children. Several topics of critical importance to perinatal health have been identified and leading researchers/practitioners will address each of these topics.

More information and registration is available here.

November 1 - December 9, 2011
Youth Work Matters

This online course takes an in-depth exploration into the foundational research and theories of positive youth development and provides an opportunity for youth practitioners to intentionally strengthen programs. Online activities include both synchronized group time and individual self-paced learning.

Click here to register. For more information about the course, contact Kari Robideau, Extension Educator at robideau@umn.edu.

For more resources and information about adolescent parents, visit the Adolescent Parent Program page on the Teenwise Minnesota website.