This Transgender Day of Remembrance, letâs honor those weâve lost and redouble our commitments to giving trans young people the affirming support and care they need to thrive. Charlie Blue Brahm, MA November 14, 2024 Immediately following Transgender Awareness Week, … Read More
Author Archives: Allison Tomai Felsen
Connecting the Dots: How Environmentalism Shapes Adolescent Health
Understanding the vital link between social determinants of health and environmental justice By Angela Zhong August 29, 2024 Growing up in a city economically tethered to the WTI oil price, I dismissed natural disasters and environmental health concerns as part … Read More
Author Archives: Allison Tomai Felsen
Our Must-Haves for Working Remotely
Cue the music, *these are a few of my favorite things!* By Sam Akers August 22, 2024 As of August 2023, 1 in 5 workers were working remotely. People love telework for a lot of different reasons! Iâve been working … Read More
Author Archives: Allison Tomai Felsen
Out and About in Phoenix for #HealthyTeen24
Get the scoop on what to add to your must see, eat, and do while youâre in Phoenix for the Healthy Teen Network annual national conference. By Shanise Taylor August 12, 2024 When Phoenix, Arizona, was announced as the host … Read More
Author Archives: Allison Tomai Felsen
You Just Found Out Your Teen Is Having Sex. Now What?
Our staff share insights on the importance of sex ed, access to services, and how to be an askable adult. August 8, 2024 In a new article from HuffPost, Ellen Friedrichsâa health and sexuality educatorâtalks about how parents and caregivers … Read More
Author Archives: Allison Tomai Felsen
Grab & Go Birth Control: The Opill Revolution
Over-the-counter birth control is a game changer but it’s up to all of us to make sure access remains unrestricted for everyone. By Lilith Breazeale By Mandy Williams By Deb Coffy August 6, 2024 Thrivology Youth Leaders is a diverse … Read More
Author Archives: Allison Tomai Felsen
The Youth Behind Thrivology
Meet the Thrivology Youth Leaders! By JB Rodriguez-Anello July 30, 2024 As a young person myself, I know how often we are left out of conversations about our own health and well-being. This is especially true for marginalized youth, like … Read More
Author Archives: Allison Tomai Felsen
Forget Gen AlphaâŠThis Is Gen Sigma
Making the case for teens born between 2007 and 2013 to become the next micro-generation By Gina Desiderio July 19, 2024 What the sigma!? âGen Alphaâ is skibidi ohio toilet! Todayâs tweens and teens are âGen Sigma.â No cap! (For … Read More
Author Archives: Allison Tomai Felsen
âAdd-Onâ to Your Experience at #HealthyTeen24
These limited-capacity training sessions allow you to dig deeper into specific topics, gain new tools, and enhance your professional skills By Arianna de la Mancha July 11,2024 If youâve been following our recent national annual conference promotion, you might be … Read More
Author Archives: Allison Tomai Felsen
Power Through Choices Training-of-Facilitators
Join us for a LIVE VIRTUAL training-of-facilitators on Power Through Choices! This training will prepare you to deliver the Power Through Choices program face-to-face with youth. Cost: FREE with the purchase of the Power Through Choices curriculum. Each attendee must purchase their own … Read More
Author Archives: Allison Tomai Felsen
Opportunity: Program Manager
Seeking a passionate Program Manager to lead the school component of U Choose 3-C Project, which focuses on adolescent sexual and reproductive health across Baltimore City July 8, 2024 Â A t Healthy Teen Network, we believe that every young person … Read More
Author Archives: Allison Tomai Felsen
Trauma-Informed Needs to Be the Rule, Not the Exception
Finding the right health care provider feels a lot like datingâtrial and error, dealbreakers, and all. But after my recent experience, I’ve realized that trauma-informed care is a non-negotiable. Here’s how to find a provider who truly listens and supports … Read More
Author Archives: Allison Tomai Felsen
Have Fun, Be Safe: A Providerâs Guide to Supporting Young People with Multiple Sexual Partners
Approach these conversations in a way that is affirming, inclusive, and nonjudgmental. By Charlie Blue Brahm, MA June 28, 2024 The stigmatization that exists culturally around having multiple sexual or romantic partners makes it all the more important for youth-supporting … Read More
Author Archives: Allison Tomai Felsen
In/Tend Incubator Hub Office Hours
Are you passionate about making positive change in adolescent sexual and reproductive health? Interested in digging deep into the world of human-centered design to address real-world challenges? If this sounds like something youâd like to do, then we have an … Read More
Author Archives: Allison Tomai Felsen
From Seeds to Solutions: Innovation Blooms at Sprout
Learn about the ideas that bloomed at Sprout: A Design Challenge and explore the process that nourished creativity, with insights from an attendee. By Emily (Skywark) Connor By Deb Coffy June 13, 2024 For four days in May, seven teams, … Read More
Author Archives: Allison Tomai Felsen
Teen Pregnancy Prevention Programâs Adolescent Sexual Health Innovation Hubs Showcase
We’re thrilled to unveil Healthy Teen Network’s Innovation Incubator Hub, In/Tendâfunded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Population Affairs. We are one of six organizations newly funded to support teams that will develop, refine, and … Read More
Author Archives: Allison Tomai Felsen
Quick Tips for Effective Presentations
From TED Talk-style presentations to panel discussions and more, we’re grateful to have had such amazing presenters at Heathy Teen Network conferences over the years! PHOTO CREDIT:Â Gina Desiderio at Healthy Teen Network When facilitating your presentation:Â Keep it fun! Same … Read More
Author Archives: Allison Tomai Felsen
To be or not to be (on camera)? That is the questionâŠ.
Quick tips to build motivation to turn the camera on. By Valerie Sedivy, PhD July 15, 2021 By far, the most common challenge we hear from facilitators working in virtual settings is that young people do not want to be … Read More
Author Archives: Allison Tomai Felsen
âNot [explicative] normal:â Crafting Group Agreements for Good Colleagues during COVID-19
One year into all-remote work, Allison and Nick reflect on some ground rules they and Healthy Teen Network staff are committing to for working during these strange times. By Allison Tomai Felsen By Nicholas Sufrinko March 17, 2021 Letâs face … Read More
Author Archives: Allison Tomai Felsen
10 Ways to Help Young People Become Good Sexual Citizens: How Myth Busting and Youth Empowerment Increases Safety
Following these steps is a really effective way to guide young people towards becoming good sexual citizens. By Ellen Friedrichs, MA March 12, 2021 Recently, I was Zoom teaching a college class, and I asked my students to share any … Read More
Author Archives: Allison Tomai Felsen
Engaging Young People Virtually
Sharing what weâve learned from our Power through Choices facilitators. By Valerie Sedivy, PhD February 16, 2021 I know. Youâre tired of Zoom, young people are tired of Zoom, and Iâm tired of talking about how tired we all are … Read More
Author Archives: Allison Tomai Felsen
Welcome, Mariah!
Mariah brings an artistic lens to nonprofit communications, along with a passion for inclusive health education and access. January 26, 2021 We are just so excited to announce our newest staff member: Mariah Cowsert joins Gina and Allison in our Communications department.  Mariah Cowsert Mariah … Read More
Author Archives: Allison Tomai Felsen
Welcome, Tonyé Fohsta-Lynch!
TonyĂ©Â brings a lot of energy, a commitment to centering youth voices, and multiple dimensions to her work. January 12, 2021 We are stoked to welcome TonyĂ© Fohsta-Lynch as our newest staff member. TonyĂ©Â Fohsta-Lynch Situated in the Capacity Building and Evaluation … Read More
Author Archives: Allison Tomai Felsen
Un/Filtered: Highlights from #HealthyTeen20
Now is the time to talk to youth about sex and technology. December 11, 2020 From sexting to dating apps, young people are connected to technology and digital media more than ever, and this connectivity is helping shape their virtual … Read More
Author Archives: Allison Tomai Felsen
Itâs Almost HereâŠ#HealthyTeen20
Dating apps, sexting, user-generated media, sex toys powered by AI, viral memes, pornâŠand so much more. Ready to talk about sexuality in the connected age? By Janet Max, MPH, CHES By Rhoda Smith, Board Chair Novemeber 13, 2020 Back in 2019 (was … Read More
Author Archives: Allison Tomai Felsen
ReSHAPING Launches Partnership with Healthy Teen Network and New Website
Looking for the latest research on sexual health and adolescent parents in out of home care? We have it for you on ReSHAPINGâs brand new website. By Claudette Grinnell-Davis, PhD, MS, MSW By Bryn King, PhD, MSW October 27, 2020 … Read More
Author Archives: Allison Tomai Felsen
5 Reasons to Use Digital Focus Groups to Gain Insights about Your Community
 In the midst of a global pandemic, it’s nearly impossible to get people to gather in-person. The good news is that you can still elevate the voice of your participants through digital focus groups. By Genevieve MartĂnez GarcĂa, PhD October 8, … Read More
Author Archives: Allison Tomai Felsen
May Is Sex Ed for All Month (2020)
Author Archives: Allison Tomai Felsen
Why Are Youth Watching Porn and What Are They Learning from It?
It is important to prepare youth with the skills to assess the world they interact with and porn literacy can be a valuable tool. By Ella Dorval Hall November 21, 2019 Itâs common to hear that when there is a … Read More
Author Archives: Allison Tomai Felsen
Inclusive Sex Positivity
Author Archives: Allison Tomai Felsen
Itâs Pride Month! 5 Queer Reads for Allies in Honor of Stonewallâs 50th
For Nick, this short list highlights how the existence of queer people is inherently political and how there is still work to be done. By Nicholas Sufrinko June 5, 2019 This month marks a full half-century since the Stonewall Uprising, … Read More
Author Archives: Allison Tomai Felsen
How to Find Housing and Services for Young People Who Are Pregnant or Parenting
We often get questions from young people who are pregnant or parenting, looking for housing and other support services. We do not provide housing or direct services, but we have put together a list of resources that may help young people find … Read More
Author Archives: Allison Tomai Felsen
Some Thoughts on the P-Word
Author Archives: Allison Tomai Felsen
Identifying Scammers in Online Studies
Learn how Child Trends identified scammers who did not meet the eligibility criteria for their online study. By Elizabeth Cook, Makedah Johnson, and Jennifer Manlove, Child Trends July 13, 2018 Health interventions have increasingly incorporated technology components, sometimes even using technology to … Read More
Author Archives: Allison Tomai Felsen
5 Resources on Being Sex-Positive
Weâve compiled this list of five resources and articles to give you a good overview of what it means to be sex-positiveâand some ways to defend the importance of such an approach. By Kelly Connelly June 15, 2017 We are … Read More
Author Archives: Allison Tomai Felsen
Huber Appointment to HHS Threatens the Health and Well-Being of Our Nationâs Young People
We join our national colleagues in opposing this appointment. By Gina Desiderio June 9, 2017 AÂ more just and equitable world supports and empowers all young people to lead healthy and fulfilling lives. All young people deserve respect, appreciation, and acceptance … Read More
Author Archives: Allison Tomai Felsen
Inclusion Starts with Language
Author Archives: Allison Tomai Felsen
The Importance of an Inclusive Youth 360° Message for Adolescent Health & Well-Being
Statement from Healthy Teen Network on the Observance of the National Month to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. By Patricia Paluzzi, CNM, DrPH May 8, 2014 As Healthy Teen Network participates in the 13th annual observance of the National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month, we are … Read More