Adolescents who experience sexual coercion can face a range of sexual and reproductive health outcomes leading to significant physical, emotional, and social consequences, including a higher risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections and having unwanted pregnancies as well as increased risk of experiencing depression and anxiety. Conversations around coercion and consent should happen…
On February 28, 2024, Asari Offiong and Zabryna Balén from Child Trends provided grantees with tools and information on using an empowerment framework to engage and educate youth in SRAE programming. They provided an overview of what an empowerment framework is, highlighting its connection to agency, autonomy, and positive youth development. They also provided background on why this framing is…
This webinar for Sexual Risk Avoidance Education (SRAE) grantees was presented on March 20, 2024 by presenters Morayo Akande, MPH, Arik V. Marcell, MD, MPH, and Annie Smith, PhD, MPH from John Hopkins University, and Kathleen Tebb, PhD, from University of CA, San Francisco. This webinar explored how Sexual Risk Avoidance Education (SRAE) grantees can support young male adolescents in their…
This webinar provides information regarding youth substance use in the context of sexual and reproductive health education. Presenters offer an overview of current trends in youth substance use and facilitate discussion on what grantees are seeing in the field. The presenters then provide information on the connections and parallels between youth substance use prevention and sexual and…
Healthy Families San Angelo, a community-based organization in San Angelo, Texas, successfully implemented two home visiting programs, Traditional Healthy Families and Steps to Success. The Steps to Success program is part of the federal Personal Responsibility Education Program and offers counseling on contraception and adequate birth spacing, as well as parenting and child development issues.…
PCEs are specific experiences during childhood—including adolescence—that can help build a young person’s sense of belonging and connection. PCEs have been found to be connected to greater health and well-being in adulthood and can buffer the impact of Adverse Childhood Events (ACEs). This webinar will focus on current research related to PCEs, including what they are, their impact on well-being…
Are you an Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention (APP) grantee receiving funding from Family and Youth Services Bureau? Do you want to take your teen pregnancy prevention efforts to the next level, but unsure of where to start? The Exchange is the place for you. This video provides an orientation to The Exchange website and its offerings.
Having that talk with teens may feel daunting for many parents and caregivers—but it doesn’t have to be. Research shows that teens want to hear what their parents/caregivers have to say and value their opinions when making important decisions. Establishing good communication around these topics can prevent teens from engaging in risky behaviors that lead to pregnancy and sexually transmitted…
In this episode, Youth Substance Use in the Digital Age, we speak with Drs. Andra Wilkinson and Asari Offiong from Child Trends to discuss current trends around availability and access to substances and opportunities to address these concerns within programming. During adolescence, risk-taking is a normative part of development. However, when youth engage in unhealthy risks, it presents…
In this episode, Approaching Youth Mental Health Holistically, we speak with Cherry Yamane and Hannah Rackers from Child Trends to discuss mental health challenges youth face, the landscape of mental health care services, and strengths-based approaches to support youth resilience by creating spaces where youth can thrive. Mental health challenges are increasing in youth, with…
In this episode, Teen Dating Violence and Risky Sexual Behavior, we speak with Dr. Marni Kan from RTI International to learn tips and strategies to increase knowledge of TDV, best practices in addressing TDV in programming, and ways to support youth. Teaching adolescents how to form safe and healthy relationships is a key part of helping them refrain from engaging in risk-taking behaviors…
This webinar was held on April 11, 2024. It explored recent resources from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) focused on promoting the mental health and well-being of students. Presenters Anna Yaros, PhD, and Katy Suellentrop, MPH, from RTI International invited Sexual Risk Avoidance Education (SRAE) grantees to consider how they might support their school partners in…
Adolescent pregnancy prevention programs are uniquely positioned to support the development of young people’s strengths, leadership skills, and healthy relationships. These programs can foster opportunities for positive youth development by integrating youth–adult partnerships (YAPs) into their programs. Through shifts in norms, including power, communication, collaboration, decision-making, and…
Self-determination is having the attitude and ability to choose and set goals, make life decisions, and work to reach one’s aims. Youth-serving providers can use self-determination principles in their programs to protect youth against risk behaviors, promote mental health, and help youth gain skills and values needed to become healthy adults. This tip sheet will help Adolescent Pregnancy…
This session reviews the legislative criteria and background that guides SRAE programing including the rationale for required components and topics to be covered and the need to ensure that all programmatic elements, including program staff, facilitators, curricula and messaging are contextualized in SRAE’s Optimal Health model.
This session was part of the FYSB SRAE Virtual Topical…
In this episode we speak with Dr. Stacey Cutbush and Leanne Desselle from RTI International to learn tips and strategies to recognize signs of youth who have experienced or are at risk of experiencing sexual exploitation (SE) or human trafficking (HT) and ways to support youth. Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP) providers are in a unique position to build relationships that foster…
Nearly all teens have access to and use social media. According to the Pew Research Center, in 2022, 95% of teens have used social media and the same percentage have access to a smartphone. This webinar, tailored for facilitators delivering Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP) curricula, will highlight what we know about the research related to social media and youth. Participants…
Although teen birth rates decline, disparities remain. Watch this video to discover how combining proven pregnancy prevention practices with adult preparation skills can increase a teen’s chance for success. Video publication date: July 26, 2016.
During this session three panelists share their most successful strategies in expanding their programs into schools, youth-serving agencies and other community venues.
This session was part of the FYSB SRAE Virtual Topical Training presented by Public Strategies on September 15-17, 2020.
This tool helps Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention programs reflect on strategies for identifying and engaging community partners and supporting and sustaining these partnerships over time. Grantees can use it to discover effective methods for identifying suitable community partners; explore strategies for engaging and maintaining strong, productive relationships with these partners; explore best…
Collective trauma is a broad term that can refer to a wide variety of experiences, including environmental disasters, violence, and pandemics. It can also refer to oppression and discrimination toward a minority group from a majority group. Addressing collective trauma through collective healing requires a collective, rather than individual, approach to supporting people and communities.…
This snapshot report provides important information about unhoused youth. It also explores the factors that may contribute to housing instability among youth and how grantees can support unhoused youth and their families.
The Messages Matter Quick Guide is an abridged version of the Messages Matter toolkit. The quick guide builds upon key concepts, approaches, and activities presented in the Community Saturation Sourcebook and The Community Saturation Toolkit. Please note: For optimal printing, the quick guide should be printed on 11x17 paper.
Helping teens develop a positive body image is crucial for their mental and emotional well-being. Teens’ bodies change rapidly during puberty at the same time they are being exposed to media and messages that often show narrow and unrealistic standards of the ideal body type. This new resource from the Family and Youth Services Bureau helps parents and other caregivers counter these harmful…
This session, based on the generative discussion framework of the Community Café model, demonstrates how thoughtfully designed questions asked within an intentional listening environment can strengthen programs, grow leadership, and develop the field to benefit the participants being served.
This session was part of the FYSB SRAE Virtual Topical Training presented by Public Strategies on…
This webinar for Sexual Risk Avoidance Education (SRAE) grantees described key principles of trauma-informed approaches and explored how youth-adult partnerships can be used as a strategy to strengthen trauma-informed approaches in SRAE programming to address the effects of community violence and other trauma on youth. The webinar reviewed effective practices for integrating trauma-informed…
Deciding on a path to follow after high school can bring a mix of emotions for teens. Some may feel excited at the prospect of stepping into adulthood, while others might be stressed or overwhelmed.“Planning My Next Steps,” is a new resource from the Family and Youth Services Bureau designed to supplement your programming for high school-aged youth. With this resource, teens are encouraged to…
Navigating the teen years can be challenging, especially when social media heightens misunderstandings and disagreements among peers. This tip sheet for youth from We Think Twice™ will help you empower the teens you work with to manage conflict in a healthy and respectful way. The tip sheet includes engaging, real-life scenarios along with practical tips to help teens defuse tension, build…
As an Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention (APP) program administrator, recruiting and retaining a committed and capable team is one of the most important things you can do to ensure the long-term success of your program. However, stress, burnout, and social isolation among staff, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, have brought about challenges for many administrators who rely on educators and…
This concise infographic spells out the numerous benefits that Positive Youth Development (PYD) can have for youth and helps you empower the youth you serve to build on their strengths to develop leadership skills and positive relationships within their communities, schools, organizations, peer groups, and families. Discover how you can create an environment that fosters the development of seven…
This evaluation report presents findings from a large-scale demonstration project and evaluation of Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy's POWER Through Choices (PTC) program. The PtC program is a comprehensive sexual health education curriculum designed to address the needs and risks specific to youth in out-of-home care, including youth living in foster care and juvenile justice facilities.…
Youth leadership development is a process that prepares young people to meet the challenges of adolescence and adulthood through a coordinated, progressive series of activities and experiences which help them gain skills and competencies. Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP) projects are uniquely positioned to offer opportunities for youth leadership development through offerings such…
This evaluation report presents findings from a large-scale demonstration project and evaluation of OhioHealth's Teen Options to Prevent Pregnancy (T.O.P.P.) program. The T.O.P.P. program is an innovative, new clinic-based intervention that aims to reduce rapid repeat pregnancies among expectant and parenting adolescent females. The 18-month intervention employs a unique combination of telephone-…
On October 25, 2023, FYSB presented a Grant Management Training Webinar, in which Roni Brooks and Girma Araya, Grants Management Specialists from the Office of Grants Management (OGM), provided grantees with a comprehensive overview of the following:OGM Role, Responsibilities, and ServicesGrants Policies & RegulationsPayment Management System (PMS)Submission of Federal Financial Status…
Participant recruitment is a critical component of successful Personal Responsibility Education Programs (PREP) and requires planning and attention. Similarly, keeping youth engaged and connected during programming is important for program fidelity and ensuring youth receive the benefits of the program. During this webinar, attendees heard from grantees that are working in non-school settings…
On Monday, December 11th, 2023, presenters Taya McMillan and Brian Southwell from RTI shared information with Sexual Risk Avoidance Education (SRAE) grantees on the topic of gaining community support for sexual health programming. This webinar explored concepts, approaches, and recommendations to mitigate distrust, misinformation, and other challenges that surround sexual health programming.…
This tip sheet provides clear strategies on how to develop effective and efficient sustainable programs, common challenges to sustaining programs, and suggestions to overcome challenges.
This hands-on lesson, designed to supplement your school’s or organization’s youth programming, will help you guide youth in discovering what they love to do and what gives them a sense of purpose. Youth will identify opportunities and resources to become involved in healthy and meaningful activities such as sports, clubs, music, art, internships, or volunteer opportunities.
By…
Choosing your words and actions carefully can make a world of difference in relationships. This infographic asks youth to picture a challenging moment with a friend, significant other, family member, teacher, or coach and think about how they will be their best self.
Data visualization is the graphical representation of information and is important for communicating the story your data tells about your programming efforts. This infographic is designed to assist grantees in deciding on the type of visualization to use as well as good data visualization practices. It also includes a link to 10 free data visualization tools for beginners. Original publication…
This SRAE webinar provides tips and strategies on how to improve your program’s recruitment and delivery of services to youth involved in foster care and the juvenile justice system. The webinar [34 slides] was originally presented on July 23, 2020, by Lynette Tannis, Ed.D. and Bill Hancock, M.S.
How do you reach underserved youth? What can you do to overcome the challenges in reaching youth with incarcerated parents or those whose parents are migrant workers? This webinar provides ideas, tips, and strategies to identify and recruit these groups of underserved youth within your communities. This webinar [39 slides] was originally presented on August 13, 2020, and was moderated by Connie…
Would you like some tips to engage parents in the SRAE message? This tip sheet offers information to assist parents as they engage with their youth to promote optimal health.
Dr. John Van Epp, Founder and President, Love Thinks, provides research on healthy relationship formation, predictors of successful marriage outcomes, and non-marital sexual practice and related outcomes in personal and relational health.
This webinar [58 slides] was originally presented on July 9, 2020 by Dr. John Van Epp, Founder and President, Love Thinks; and Connie Huber, Project…
Are you looking for a visual that communicates the Success Sequence? This infographic and accompanying guide offer tips to meet youth where they are and share a pathway toward optimal health and self-sufficiency.
You can also print the infographic to display.
Our keynote speaker, Horacio Sanchez, guides participants through a presentation detailing what current neuroscience research says about the human brain’s ability to build and strengthen protective factors in youth. Sanchez also discusses how you can incorporate this resiliency research within Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention and other youth service programs. This webinar [88 slides] was…
This tip sheet covers why sustainability matters and concrete strategies for increasing your project's sustainability. Publication date: February 2021.
In this TED-style talk, expert facilitators underscore the roles young fathers can play in the lives of their children. The facilitators also discuss how you can build supports for and knock down barriers to positive father-child engagement within your Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP). This webinar [16 slides] was originally presented by Child Trends on April 30, 2020.
PREP grantees can use this tip sheet to help develop a social media strategy that supports their pregnancy prevention efforts. The tip sheet includes recent statistics on how youth use social media, a framework for implementing a social media campaign, an overview of key social media platforms, as well as additional resources and references on social media engagement.
Parents and other caregivers of adolescents play a key role in supporting young people and helping them navigate adolescence as they transition toward adulthood. This is particularly important during times of stress and change, such as the current public health pandemic that has upended the regular routines of adolescents and families. This tip sheet provides you with strategies you can use to…