Every year, we’re making a difference—one resource, one conversation, and one connection at a time. Arianna de la Mancha December 19, 2024 As 2024 ends, we’re taking a moment to celebrate the milestones, growth, and impact we’ve achieved together this … Read More
Author Archives: Allison Tomai Felsen
There’s Still Time for Biden to Sign the ERA and Prohibit Discrimination Based on Sex
There’s little over a month left for Biden to take action to ensure gender equality is enshrined in our Constitution. Mimi Jacobie Mackenzie Piper, MPH, CHES Gina Desiderio, MA December 12, 2024 Tuesday, December 10, Congresswoman Cori Bush held a … Read More
Author Archives: Allison Tomai Felsen
Opportunity: Associate Director
Seeking a full-time Associate Director to lead a major federally funded project, support department initiatives, and develop high-quality resources for adolescent sexual and reproductive health through strategic leadership and collaboration. November 14, 2024 Healthy Teen Network is seeking a full-time … Read More
Author Archives: Allison Tomai Felsen
We’re All Needed in the Fight to Protect Trans Young People
This Transgender Day of Remembrance, let’s honor those we’ve 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! I’ve 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 you’re 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 Friedrichs—a health and sexuality educator—talks 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 Alpha…This 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!? “Gen Alpha” is skibidi ohio toilet! Today’s tweens and teens are “Gen Sigma.” No cap! (For … Read More
Author Archives: Allison Tomai Felsen
“Add-On” 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 you’ve been following our recent national annual conference promotion, you might be … Read More
Author Archives: Allison Tomai Felsen
Power Through Choices Training-of-Facilitators
June 9-12, 2025 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 … 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 dating—trial 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 Provider’s 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 you’d 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 Program’s Adolescent Sexual Health Innovation Hubs Showcase
We’re thrilled to unveil Healthy Teen Network’s Innovation Incubator Hub, In/Tend—funded 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: Gina Desiderio at Healthy Teen Network When facilitating your presentation: Keep it fun! Same … Read More
Author Archives: Allison Tomai Felsen
To be or not to be (on camera)? That is the question….
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
“Not [explicative] normal:” 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 Let’s face … Read More
Author Archives: Allison Tomai Felsen
Engaging Young People Virtually
Sharing what we’ve learned from our Power through Choices facilitators. By Valerie Sedivy, PhD February 16, 2021 I know. You’re tired of Zoom, young people are tired of Zoom, and I’m tired of talking about how tired we all are … Read More
Author Archives: Allison Tomai Felsen
Welcome, Tonyé Fohsta-Lynch!
Tonyé 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 Tonyé Fohsta-Lynch as our newest staff member. Tonyé 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
It’s Almost Here…#HealthyTeen20
Dating apps, sexting, user-generated media, sex toys powered by AI, viral memes, porn…and 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 ReSHAPING’s 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 Martínez García, PhD October 8, … Read More
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 It’s common to hear that when there is a … Read More
Author Archives: Allison Tomai Felsen
Inclusive Sex Positivity
Author Archives: Allison Tomai Felsen
It’s Pride Month! 5 Queer Reads for Allies in Honor of Stonewall’s 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
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
Huber Appointment to HHS Threatens the Health and Well-Being of Our Nation’s Young People
We join our national colleagues in opposing this appointment. By Gina Desiderio June 9, 2017 A 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