Teenwise Minnesota

Programs: Sexual health promotion: compiled teen pregnancy, teen birth and sexually transmitted disease statistics and mn student survey data in collaboration with the mn department of health statistics and the mn department of education. Teenwise created the 2014 comprehensive statewide adolescent sexual health report as well as 87 county-specific adolescent sexual health reports that were posted to the teenwise website and disseminated widely. Convened teenwise minnesota's 23rd annual conference that reached 318 professionals from minnesota and beyond. Participants represented a broad range of focus areas including, adolescent pregnancy/sti prevention (50%), pregnant and parenting teens (22%), general youth development (16%), violence prevention (4%), child welfare (2%), juvenile justice (2%) and other focus areas (4%). Planned and delivered 18 training programs on implementing evidence-based sexuality education. Provided technical assistance to community-based organizations in support of their efforts to select, implement and evaluate science-based approaches to teen pregnancy, hiv and sti prevention. The executive director presented a workshop at a national conference sponsored by the office of adolescent health regarding adaptation of evidence-based programs. Completed a project with the child safety and permanency division of dhs, the minnesota indian women's resource center and the minnesota department of health, in a national project to implement a pregnancy and sexually transmitted infection prevention curriculum, making proud choices (mpc), for youth in foster care in minnesota. This work was supported by the annie e. Casey foundation, the american public human services association, the national campaign to prevent teen and unplanned pregnancy and the national association of public child welfare administrators. Received funding from minnesota department of education to be partner on a grant they received from the centers for disease control and prevention/division of adolescent and school health. Over the next five years, teenwise will work with 12 minnesota school districts to select and implement a sexual health education program. Continued working with the minneapolis public schools to implement and monitor an evidence-based sexuality education health curriculum in all minneapolis public schools middle schools. Coordinated the minnesota sexuality resource review panel (mserrp), a group of professionals with expertise in sexuality education and hiv prevention that reviews and recommends sexuality education and hiv prevention curricula and resources for use in schools and communities. Served as minnesota's certified replication partner for the teen outreach program, an evidence based youth development and pregnancy prevention program. Provided training and consultation to nearly 110 clubs. Completed a "needs assessment" project in three greater minnesota counties (funded by the clinical and translational sciences institute) and three sovereign nations (funded by the bremer foundation) to better understand the reasons for high rates of pregnancy and unintended pregnancy. The project was funded by the bremer foundation provided it's that easy training to parent educators in saint cloud and saint paul, mn managed the it's that easy (ite) website. The website acts as the hub for the parent educator network that is being built through this initiative. The website features sections specifically for those who have attended the ite training, for any family-service professional and for parents. There is also a resource section for any audience interested in these topics. Served as the fiscal agent for the hennepin county teen parent connection.

policy/advocacy worked with members of the coalition for responsible sex ed on the language for a new bill to support comprehensive sex education in minnesota public schools and on the grass roots strategies to call for its passage. Continued serving on steering committee of minnesota chlamydia partnership; hosted the mcp website. Launched a policy committee of the board of directors and began the process of developing and approving organizational policy position statements.

communications/public awareness implemented the "let's talk" month (october 2013) and "teen pregnancy prevention" (may 2014) month public awareness campaigns. Provided 2 radio interviews and 5 newspaper interviews on different adolescent sexual health topics. Provided the latest research, resources, program updates, funding opportunities and legislative issues related to adolescent parents, through a monthly electronic newsletter.