The Sessions
We are hardwired to connect.
Biologically bound for belonging—
from our very beginnings.
In adolescence, new neural connections
foretell fierce friendships, first loves,
chosen families, and shared futures.
Yet in this moment of rupture,
as algorithms and agitators promise connection
but deliver its simulation,
And purveyors of fear and hate
cast difference as danger,
pit neighbor against neighbor,
We rise, pulled toward belonging,
drawn better together, proving community
is not a place—but a practice.
Come as you are
Return to your work with the fire of solidarity and real-world strategies. Be the reason someone feels safe and belongs. Join us for #HealthyTeen26 in San Diego, October 5-7, 2026.
Gain Inspiration
Gain inspiration and a renewed spirit alongside a community of educators, care providers, and advocates.
Reclaim Belonging
Reclaim belonging as the heartbeat of lifelong health, especially in adolescence.
Explore Community
Explore how to build communities where young people feel safe, welcome, and valued.
Celebrate Stories
Celebrate stories that anchor adolescent health as essential for thriving communities everywhere.
agenda-at-a-glance
All times are in Pacific Time (PT).
***Times and content subject to change***
| Monday, October 5 | |
|---|---|
|
8:30 AM – 3:30 PM |
Full-Day Learning Add-On |
|
12:30 PM – 3:30 PM |
Half-Day Learning Add-On |
|
8:30 AM – 5:30 PM |
Exhibit Hall Open |
|
4:00 PM – 5:30 PM |
General Session |
|
5:30 PM – 7:00 PM |
Networking Reception |
| Tuesday, October 6 | |
|---|---|
|
8:30 AM – 5:30 PM |
Exhibit Hall Open |
|
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM |
General Session |
|
10:45 AM – 12:00 PM |
Workshops |
|
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM |
Awards Lunch |
|
1:45 PM – 3:00 PM |
Workshops |
|
3:15 PM – 4:30 PM |
Workshops |
|
5:30 PM – 7:00 PM |
BIPOC Connect |
|
8:00 PM – 9:30 PM |
Queer Connect |
| Wednesday, October 7 | |
|---|---|
|
8:30 AM – 2:30 PM |
Exhibit Hall Open |
|
9:00 AM – 10:15 AM |
Workshops |
|
10:45 AM – 12:00 PM |
Workshops |
|
12:00 PM – 1:15 PM |
Lunch |
|
1:30 PM – 2:15 PM |
Roundtable Sessions |
|
2:30 PM – 4:00 PM |
General Session |
You've Got What We Need
The 2026 Call for Proposals is open! Submit your proposal by May 7, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET.
All About the Sessions
We warmly invite you to submit a proposal for a skills-building workshop or roundtable presentation. And as always, we especially encourage you to collaborate with young people to prepare your proposal and to join you in presenting.
This year, we are especially interested in sessions on topics, such as…
- Access to comprehensive education and services, including abortion
- Building community and collaborating with others
- Building support, finding common ground for adolescent sexual and reproductive health goals, education, and care
- Engaging with parents/caregivers
- Engaging with young people
- Healing-centered and trauma-informed approaches
- Innovation
- Reproductive justice
- Social justice
- Using technology to recruit young people
- Working in more conservative communities
- Young parents and families
- Youth connection and belonging
- Youth-friendly programs and services
But don’t let this list stop you! If you’ve got something you think is relevant and of interest to others in our field, we welcome your submissions! We know you’ve been doing amazing work, and we can’t wait to connect and share with you!
Submit your proposal by May 7, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET.
Is presenting not really your thing? No worries! Maybe you’d like to check out one of our exhibiting and advertising sponsorship opportunities?
Learning Objectives
By the end of the #HealthyTeen26 Conference, attendees will be able to:
- Explain at least two new strategies to build support for adolescent health and well-being;
- Summarize at least three new ways to address challenges in providing health education and healthcare to adolescents;
- Apply at least three new skills learned, or enhanced, during breakout sessions;
- Utilize at least four relevant resources obtained during sessions and/or from exhibitors; and,
- Establish at least five new professional relationships.
Your Deadlines
| Deadlines | Dates |
|---|---|
|
Submit session proposal |
May 7, 2026 |
|
Accept or decline invitation to present |
By June 11, 2026 |
|
Register and pay for conference |
June 30, 2026 |
|
Request additional AV support |
July 31, 2026 |
|
Email copies of slides and/or handouts |
August 6, 2026 |
|
|
All items must be submitted by 11:59 PM ET on each date. |
All the Details
WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR?
It Has to Fit.
All sessions at the Healthy Teen Network conference must be aligned with our Guiding Principles:
- All content must be youth-friendly;
- Inclusive and affirming of all young people;
- And comprehensive, including when applicable, age-appropriate, information and/or services about sexual and reproductive health—such as the complete range of birth control methods and all pregnancy options: abortion, adoption, and parenting.
For example, information/services promoting sexual risk avoidance education, abstinence-only-until-marriage programs, crisis pregnancy centers, or anti-abortion campaigns are not in alignment with Healthy Teen Network Guiding Principles and are not eligible to be promoted at the Healthy Teen Network conference.
Yep, We’ve Got the Final Say.
We reserve the right to reject any session proposal at our discretion. We may need to change your session type, room setup, or other details (we’ll still talk it through with you first).
Show Us the Magic!
We highly encourage interactive, diverse, and unique sessions. Need some tips on how to make your presentation fabulous? Our trainers have got your back!
Not Your First Time? That’s Ok!
Session proposals do not need to be original—if you’ve submitted it or facilitated it before, that’s just fine.
What Are My Options?
You don’t have to choose only one, but these are your options:
Workshop Sessions
- Feature a 75-minute individual, group, or panel presentation
- Must be engaging, interactive, and skills-building
- Plan time to answer questions
Roundtable Sessions
- Share information with a smaller group, conversation-style
- Plan to present for a maximum of 15 minutes (slides optional)
- Lead a discussion for another 30 minutes without slides
Ready to get this party started?
Want to make sure you’ve got everything ready to go? Check out a preview of the form, but this is everything you’ll be required to give us:
All About Your (Adult) Presenters
- Contact information
- Headshot (file types: png, jpg, jpeg. Max file size: 2MB)
- Resume/CV
- Brief summary or bio statement for each (150-word limit)
All About Your Youth Presenters
- Name and affiliation
- Brief summary or bio statement for each (150-word limit)
The Rundown for Your Session
- Title (160 character limit)
- Description (175-word limit)
- Focus areas and populations of interest
- SMARTIE Learning Objectives (50-word limit)
- Why it matters for the attendees (150-word limit)
- What makes your session engaging and interactive (150-word limit)
- And, if your session is about a curriculum or program…
- Tell us what it is and share any related links or other materials.
- If relevant, share any supporting materials, such as evaluation studies, for the curriculum or program (PDF format, 1MB maximum, up to 10 files).
What do I need to bring?
What We’ve Got
All sessions get:
- Wireless internet
- LCD projector and projection screen
- Speakers for a laptop
- Presenter remote
- Easel, paper pad, and markers
BYOC
You must bring your own computer, if you want to display a presentation on the projection screen and connect to the LCD projector.
Always Accessorize
These days laptops and tablets come in all shapes and sizes with various adapters and ports. Be sure to bring whatever you need to connect your device to a projector with an HDMI cord. If you have specific questions about your device and what adapter you might need, please let us know before you pack and hop on your flight!
What else is there?
You Gotta Register
All presenters must register and pay to attend the conference by Tuesday, June 30th, 2026. Registration isn’t open yet, but you can check out the 2026 rates.
What We Can Offer You
For Workshop and Roundtable Sessions, we cannot offer an honorarium or pay travel, per diem, or lodging expenses (we sure wish we could!). We do offer a discount of 15% on conference registration to the lead presenter only.
We Hope You Won’t Cancel, But If Life Happens…
You must notify Healthy Teen Network no later than September 3, 2026, if you cannot present at the conference or need to change presenters. If you do not let us know more than 24 hours before your session, you will not be eligible to present at a Healthy Teen Network event for two years.
Answer the Call
2026 Call For Proposals Form
Join us in San Diego
Join us at the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa and Marina—a relaxing waterfront resort nestled along the beautiful shores of Mission Bay in sunny San Diego.
With sweeping bay views, a private marina, multiple pools and waterslides, a spa, and on-site dining, the hotel offers the perfect blend of comfort and coastal charm.
Whether you’re unwinding after conference sessions on a sunset cruise or sipping cocktails by the pool, this resort delivers relaxation and inspiration in equal measure. Just minutes from beaches, walking and biking paths, and a wide variety of water activities, Mission Bay invites you to dive into the best of San Diego’s laid-back, bayfront lifestyle.
We have secured a special rate for a limited number of rooms. The discounted room block is expected to sell out, so we highly recommend reserving your room as soon as possible.
Reservations will be available soon.
| ROOM TYPE | SINGLE/DOUBLE | TRIPLE | QUAD |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Guest Room |
$259 |
$284 |
$309 |
|
Guest Room: Federal Government* |
$194 |
$219 |
$244 |
Prices shown are base rates only and do not include applicable taxes and fees.
*Rate is dependent on the prevailing Federal Government Per Diem and is subject to change.
Boost Your Brand
Grab the spotlight with these exhibiting and advertising sponsorship opportunities.
All Access Pass
Exhibitor
Showcase your services and resources while connecting directly with a passionate community of professionals dedicated to supporting young people. As an exhibitor, you’ll be positioned at the heart of the conference experience—giving you meaningful opportunities to engage, share, and build lasting relationships.
Position your organization as a trusted resource in the field while expanding your reach and impact.
Benefits include:
- Full conference access for one exhibitor, so you can participate in sessions, networking, and events alongside attendees
- Dedicated exhibit table in a high-traffic area, ensuring consistent visibility and engagement throughout the conference
- Direct connection opportunities with attendees actively seeking tools, resources, and partnerships
- Increased brand visibility through logo placement on the conference website, mobile app, and presentation slides—with a direct link to the webpage of your choice
First Class
Egram Advertiser
Want your work in front of a highly engaged audience? Our weekly e-newsletter, the Egram, is one of the most trusted spaces in our organization—featuring consistently high open rates and a readership of youth-supporting professionals who actively engage with our resources, events, and opportunities.
Amplify your visibility and connect your work with the people most likely to engage, share, and take action.
Benefits include:
- Two featured placements in the Egram, giving you dedicated space to highlight your resources, programs, or services to a network that values innovation and collaboration
- Flexible scheduling for your two features within a two-week window—perfect for building early buzz or aligning with key dates
- Increased brand visibility through logo placement on the conference website, mobile app, and presentation slides—with a direct link to the webpage of your choice
Highlight Reel
Conference App Advertiser
Without a printed program, the conference app is where attendees go to plan their experience, explore sessions, and stay connected. Advertising in the app puts your message front and center in a dynamic, highly visible space designed for engagement. Whether you’re promoting a session, sharing a resource, or highlighting a call to action, this is your opportunity to meet attendees in the moment.
Put your message directly in attendees’ hands—driving real-time engagement and action throughout the conference.
Benefits include:
- Prominent in-app placement with a linked graphic featured throughout the conference, ensuring consistent visibility
- Targeted engagement through one in-app push notification, delivering your call to action directly to attendees
- Increased brand visibility through logo placement on the conference website, mobile app, and presentation slides—with a direct link to the webpage of your choice
Premier Sponsors
Sponsors
Disclaimer: Inclusion or identification of organizations, individuals, information, content, and materials does not constitute a recommendation or endorsement.