Take Action

Join the movement of young people working to protect our health and lives

Action Center

Take action to help ensure young people's health and rights.

arrow-grid

Donate now

Support youth activists working for reproductive and sexual health and rights.

arrow-grid

Sign up

Get text and email updates

arrow-grid
06.20.2016
Resources

School Health Equity Newsletter June 2016

JUNE 2016

Features: Exemplary Sexual Health Education in Alternative Schools

In an effort to engage a diverse spectrum of youth and educational institutions, Advocates for Youth is proud to provide the latest information regarding sexual health education in alternative schools. This overview provides an in-depth look at the issues facing youth in alternative schools and how these challenges can be mitigated. Beginning with a brief definition of alternative schools and the education they provide, this paper examines why youth enrolled in alternative schools typically experience negative sexual health outcomes and a lack of adequate sexual health education. Professional development strategies, tips for parent engagement, and a list of workshops, goals, resources and curricula are also provided. DASH-funded State Education Agencies, (SEAs) will receive hard copies of this document at the HHS “Bridging the Gaps: Eliminating Disparities in Teen Pregnancy and Sexual Health Conference.” Read the document here.

divider

RESOURCES

STD Awareness and Prevention Materials
ETR has recently released several resources on STD awareness and prevention. These resources include a pamphlet STD Facts for Teens, which gives information about eight common STDS that uses language and concepts appropriate for teens, and an informational booklet STD: A Quick Guide that contains information on STD symptoms, testing, and treatment. There is also a bilingual PowerPoint presentation, Sexually Transmitted Disease: A Review of the Facts. Along with giving basic facts about several STD’s, this PowerPoint allows customization according to audience needs and is embedded for notes that educators can use on each slide. You can access these resources here.

Transgender Students and School Bathrooms: Frequently Asked Questions
Gender Spectrum has recently released an FAQ for educators who may have questions about the policies of transgender students and school bathrooms. The FAQ includes answers to questions such as, “Why can’t transgender students just use a private bathroom?” and “Are there specific legal requirements associated with allowing or not allowing transgender students to use bathrooms consistent with their gender identity?” This release also includes additional resources that educators and school leaders may use to form more inclusive policies in their schools. To access the FAQ and additional resources related to transgender students and school bathrooms, click here.

National School Boards Association Transgender Students Guide
The National School Board Association has released a resource guide for transgendered students which navigates FAQ’s and discusses the legal issues around transgendered students and public schools. The guide also covers topics of student privacy, discrimination/harassment, the role of school staff, the ways in which non-sexuality related curriculums can strive to be more inclusive, and community engagement. This guide also discusses the ways in which school policies such as those around dress codes, sports, and extra- curricular activities affect transgendered students. To access the guide, click here.

 

RECENT PUBLICATIONS

Emerging Trends in Evidence and Practice

This Journal of Adolescent Health article by Nicole Haberland M.P.H and Deborah Rogow M.P.H is an informative read for anyone wanting to know more about the current trends in sexual health education and ways to address these changes. The article also examines gender and rights in sexual education, as well as the effective methods of combating sexually transmitted diseases and unintended pregnancy. The authors also discuss an “empowerment” approach to sexual education and how it can be utilized in health and educational programs. You can read the article here.

Abusive Experiences and Young Women’s Sexual Health Outcomes: Is Condom Negotiation Self-Efficacy a Mediator?
This Gutmacher Institute publication examines intimate partner violence and its relation to the sexual health of young women, particularly focusing on reproductive coercion, unintended pregnancy and STD’s. This study argues that greater condom negotiation self-efficacy can mediate some of these risks and result in more positive outcomes for the sexual health of young women. Reporting on their research from 2011-2012, the authors discuss their methods, as well as results of the study. To read the full article, click here.

CAPACITY BUILDING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

American School Health Association 2016
The American School Health Association (ASHA) just released a “Save the Date” flyer for the 2016 Annual School Health Conference. The conference will take place on October 6-8 , in Baltimore, Maryland. Registration is open now!

ETR Facilitation Quick Tip: Good News Headlines Activity
This resource contains an activity which helps celebrate achievements in professional development sessions to start meetings and trainings off on a positive note. In this activity designed to be done in person, though it is also adaptable to a virtual setting, participants are asked to reflect on work and accomplishments, as well as celebrate success as a way to energize the meeting or training. The activity contains a step-by-step process on how to implement the activity, supplies that will be needed, and suggestions for modification to fit any type of session or workshop. Accesses the activity here.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

U.S. Department of Education Releases Guidance for School Districts on Accommodating Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Students under Title IX
May 12, 2016 marked a historic day when the U.S. Department of Education, in partnership with the Department of Justice, released policy guidance for education agencies under Title IX. According to this memorandum, any federally funded educational agency must accommodate a transgender or gender nonconforming student according to their gender identity regardless of medical paperwork or official change of identification. The Gay Lesbian and Straight Educational Network (GLSEN) has released a briefing on the policy which can be read here.

State Education Agency (SEAs) Social
The DASH-funded Non-Governmental Organizations, (NGOs), Advocates for Youth, American Psychological Association (APA), and the National Coalition of STD Directors (NCSD), will be hosting an SEA Social during the HHS Teen Pregnancy Prevention Conference. The social will be in the evening on Wednesday July 20, 2016 . An email from the NGOs with further logistics will be sent out closer to the date..

This document was made possible by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Adolescent and School Health (CDC-DASH) under cooperative agreement 1UP87PS004154. The contents do not necessarily represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. divider

To submit an article, announcement, or resource for the School Health Equity Newsletter, please email Lauren Ainsworth at lauren@advocatesforyouth.org

Was this e-mail forwarded to you? If so and you would like to subscribe to Advocates for Youth’s mailing list, please visit www.advocatesforyouth.org/get-involved/sign-up-for-email-alerts.

Sign up for Updates