In times of conflict and uncertainty, it is more important than ever to affirm our commitment to these principles December 18, 2024 At Healthy Teen Network, we stand firm in our commitment to reproductive justice and human dignity for all … Read More
Public Policy & Advocacy
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
Public Policy & Advocacy
Giving Menstrual Health More Airtime
We should all be working to combat the stigma and normalize talking about menstruation in an inclusive and affirming way By Caro Hernandez October 3, 2024 F or people who menstruate, this change can bring up all kinds of feelings, … Read More
Public Policy & Advocacy
Decoding Sexual & Reproductive Health: The Language of Policy
Quick tips on how to navigate elections and make sure you vote in alignment with your values By Lilith Breazeale By JB Rodriguez-Anello October 22, 2024 S ince the overturning of Roe v Wade in 2022, there have been numerous … Read More
Public Policy & Advocacy
If You Really Want to Help Students Who Are Pregnant…
The Pregnant Students Rights Act stigmatizes, restricts, and shames people’s choices. By Patti Flowers By Mackenzie Flynn May 28, 2024 W e’ve been paying attention to The Pregnant Student Rights Act (H.R.6914/S.2974), which Congress is currently considering. When it comes … Read More
Public Policy & Advocacy
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
Public Policy & Advocacy
“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
Public Policy & Advocacy
Save the Date! May Is Sex Ed for All Month!
Each May since 2019, Sex Ed for All Month is an opportunity to voice our shared commitment to a world where all young people get equitable access to the education and care they deserve. April 18, 2024 The seasons are … Read More
Public Policy & Advocacy
Sex Education Is Essential (Sex Ed for All Talking Points)
Together, by advocating in our communities, we can ensure Sex Ed for All. April 16, 2024 As April starts to wind down, and as we look ahead to the start of May on the horizon, we wanted to take a … Read More
Public Policy & Advocacy
Sorry, Alabama, But Declaring It So Doesn’t Make It So. Embryos Are Not Children.
The Alabama ruling is not an outlier. It is what we all expected when we heard about the Dobbs decision. And it’s why we continue to raise alarms now. Because this is a continued, intentional effort to restrict Americans’ freedoms. … Read More
Public Policy & Advocacy
Anti-Trans and Anti-LGBTQ Policies Threaten the Safety and Well-Being of Young People
Trans youth—like all young people—deserve to live in a world that affirms and celebrates them for who they are. By Charlie Blue Brahm, MA November 9, 2023 It’s been almost four months since the Department of Education in my home … Read More
Public Policy & Advocacy
May Is National Sex Ed for All Month (2023)
Community Leaders, Parents, and Guardians Lend Their Voice to Promote #SexEdForAll May 3, 2023 For Immediate Release B altimore, MD — May is Sex Ed For All Month, a time community leaders, caring adults, and advocates call on local school … Read More
Public Policy & Advocacy
How the Dobbs Decision Affects Youth in Care and Recommendations for Providers
How a post-Roe world affects youth in care: some general thoughts and suggestions for practitioners and researchers. December 12, 2022 The United States has seen a dramatic reduction in the rates of both unintended pregnancy and childbearing among people of … Read More
Public Policy & Advocacy
Zander Moricz to Receive Healthy Teen Network 2022 #Standing Strong Award
As a champion for all young people, Zander Moricz is #StandingStrong to create a world where every young person can realize their right to live their authentic sexuality. August 25, 2022 H ealthy Teen Network is pleased to announce Zander … Read More
Public Policy & Advocacy
How Youth Development Professionals Might Want to Address “Parent Rights”
Perhaps these rebuttals to central themes in the “parent rights” movement will be useful to you By Bob Reeg, MPA, CVA May 26, 2022 (To be clear, I am not assailing the rights of parent’s writ large. This is a … Read More
Public Policy & Advocacy
May Is National Sex Ed for All Month (2022)
Community Leaders, Parents, and Guardians Lend Their Voice to Promote #SexEdForAll May 2, 2022 For Immediate Release B altimore, MD — May is Sex Ed For All Month, a time parents, guardians, teachers, community leaders, and advocates call on local … Read More
Public Policy & Advocacy
“Don’t Say Gay” Bill Means It’s More Important than Ever to Bring #HealthyTeen22 to Florida
Public Policy & Advocacy
I’m Just a Bill: The Untold Story
I’m Just a Bill covers how a legislative bill makes its way to law. As a public policy advocacy practitioner for over 30 years, let me just say that how a bill becomes a law is more complicated than the … Read More
Public Policy & Advocacy
Sexual & Reproductive Health, Rights, & Justice Organizations Applaud Introduction of Legislation to Improve the Health & Well-Being of Young People
All young people deserve access to high-quality sex education and sexual health care May 18, 2021 For Immediate Release Washington, D.C — Today, champions in Congress are introducing the Real Education and Access to Healthy Youth Act of 2021 (REAHYA). The … Read More
Public Policy & Advocacy
Legislation to Reauthorize Pregnancy Assistance Fund (PAF) Introduced
PAF provides vital support services to empower young parents and their children to thrive. June 26, 2019 For Immediate Release W ashington, DC — Yesterday, July 25, Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Robert Casey (D-PA) introduced legislation (S.2296) to reauthorize the Pregnancy Assistance Fund (PAF). The … Read More
Public Policy & Advocacy
Pregnancy Assistance Fund (PAF) Reauthorization Sign-On Letter
PAF provides vital support services to empower young parents and their children to thrive. Updated December 02, 2020 For Immediate Release Dear Member of Congress: The undersigned organizations express our support for the Pregnancy Assistance Fund (PAF) and urge Congress … Read More
Public Policy & Advocacy
Coronavirus and the Lack of Access to Abortion
During the pandemic, many places are deeming abortion a “non essential” service. We know that abortion is essential healthcare. By Minyan Watson-Faulkner April 16, 2020 D uring the COVID-19 crisis, I have heard so many different things around what is … Read More
Public Policy & Advocacy
Happy New Legislative Year!
We wanted to update our members and supporters on our priorities when it comes to public policy this year. By Bob Reeg, MPA, CVA January 23, 2020 The new year provides an occasion for Healthy Teen Network to update our … Read More
Public Policy & Advocacy
Victory In Teen Pregnancy Prevention Case For City of Baltimore, Healthy Teen Network, and Democracy Forward
Judge overturns HHS’s decision to cut grants for Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program. Three times in one week, Federal Courts have ruled HHS’s cuts to Teen Pregnancy Prevention unlawful. April 26, 2018 For Immediate Release B altimore, MD — Late yesterday afternoon, the … Read More
Public Policy & Advocacy
City of Baltimore, Healthy Teen Network Scheduled to Appear in Federal Court to Fight the Trump Administration’s Unlawful Cuts to Teen Pregnancy Prevention Programs
Trump officials slashed grants to evidence-based Teen Pregnancy Prevention Programs in Baltimore City that helped reduce teen pregnancy rates to all-time low. In attempting to dismiss case, government lawyers do not dispute harm suffered by program grantees. April 18, 2018 … Read More
Public Policy & Advocacy
Lawsuits Filed to Stop Trump’s Rollback of Science-Based Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program
Suits come in response to Trump Administration’s arbitrary termination of program that has contributed to dramatic fall in rates of pregnancy among teens. February 15, 2018 For Immediate Release W ashington, DC — Today, nine local government, health care, and oversight organizations … Read More
Public Policy & Advocacy
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
Public Policy & Advocacy
Turning 40 and Still Dreaming Big!
Public Policy & Advocacy
Free Will for All?
Under the Affordable Care Act, employers who object to providing contraception do not have to pay for it, instead, insurance companies will be required to reach out to these employees and cover the cost of contraceptives instead of the employer. … Read More
Public Policy & Advocacy
What’s in a Ribbon?
Do we need a ribbon to help support the cause of teen pregnancy prevention and supporting pregnant and parenting teens? Will a pervasive symbol help motivate people to support our cause? By Gina Desiderio February 8, 2012 Last week, the … Read More
Public Policy & Advocacy
Failure to Increase Access to Emergency Contraception a Failure for All
Public Policy & Advocacy
Healthy People 2020: What the New Indicators Mean for Our Work
Healthy People 2020 indicators provide national focus on a set of health issues affecting the United States. By Patricia Paluzzi, CNM, DrPH December 1, 2011 October 31st at the American Public Health Association (APHA) Annual Meeting, Dr. Howard Koh, Assistant Secretary … Read More
Public Policy & Advocacy
The State of the Union in Teen Pregnancy Prevention
Yesterday, President Obama delivered his State of the Union address. So, what is the current state of teen pregnancy prevention? By Patricia Paluzzi, CNM, DrPH January 25, 2011 Yesterday, President Obama delivered his State of the Union address. The purpose of … Read More