We should all be working to combat the stigma and normalize talking about menstruation in an inclusive and affirming wayBy Caro Hernandez October 3, 2024For people who menstruate, this change can bring up all kinds of feelings, especially when you’re a young person!...
If You Really Want to Help Students Who Are Pregnant…
The Pregnant Students Rights Act stigmatizes, restricts, and shames people’s choices.By Patti FlowersBy Mackenzie FlynnSeptember 26, 2024We’ve been paying attention to The Pregnant Student Rights Act (H.R.6914/S.2974), which Congress is currently considering. When it...
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, 2024In a new article from HuffPost, Ellen Friedrichs—a health and sexuality educator—talks about how parents and caregivers can separate fact from...
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 BreazealeBy Mandy WilliamsBy Deb CoffyAugust 6, 2024Thrivology Youth Leaders is a diverse group of 10 exceptional young people...
Forget Gen Alpha…This Is Gen Sigma
Making the case for teens born between 2007 and 2013 to become the next micro-generationBy Gina Desiderio July 19, 2024What the sigma!? “Gen Alpha” is skibidi ohio toilet! Today’s tweens and teens are “Gen Sigma.” No cap! (For those of us who need that translated,...
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, 2024The stigmatization that exists culturally around having multiple sexual or romantic partners makes it all the more important for...
In/Tend Incubator Hub Office Hours
July 11, 2024, 9:30 - 10:30 PM ETJuly 19, 2024, 12:00 - 1:00 PM ETJuly 22, 2024, 2:30 - 3:30 PM ETAre you passionate about making positive change in adolescent sexual and reproductive health? Interested in digging deep into the world of human-centered design to...
Celebrating AANHPI Month
Cultural Experiences, Shared Identities, and Everything, Everywhere, All At Once By April “Kayuri” Lat, MS MPP By Patricia Natalie, MA May 28, 2024Check out this video blog post, where April and Patricia discuss their shared identities as Southeast Asians, their...
So You Want to Be a Sex Educator: Wisdom and Advice from our Staff
Hear from a few Healthy Teen Network staff on how they got to this field and their advice for folks on this journey. By Sam Akers, MSWMay 9, 2024When you think of a sex educator, who do you think of? Maybe it’s a health teacher in front of a room of middle schoolers,...
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, 2024The seasons are changing, and May will be here before you know it....
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, 2024As April starts to wind down, and as we look ahead to the start of May on the horizon, we wanted to take a moment to share with you the history behind May as Sex Ed for All Month....
5 Queer Sex Ed Resources by and for Young People
Young people take the lead to reimagine building a society that centers their experiences. By Arianna de la ManchaApril 11, 2024I’m constantly in awe of young people who work collectively to fill the gaps in their sex education experiences. As someone approaching...
How to Masturbate: Everything You Need to Know About Self Pleasure
Two Healthy Teen Network team members shared tips for self-pleasure in the queer online publication, them. April 4, 2024We’re excited to share a new article from them that features two of our team members, Arianna and Caro, with tips on masturbation and exploration!...
Navigating Sexual and Reproductive Health Censorship on Social Media
In part one of our two-part series covering social media censorship, we ask: how can we ensure young people have access to the crucial sex ed and health information they need—dodging the restrictions set by the big shots in the social media game? By Milagros...
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...
To Be Who They Are. To Live. To Thrive. These Are the Basic Human Rights Denied to Nex Benedict.
The assault on Nex Benedict was not unprecedented. It was precedented by the hateful rhetoric and anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, pushed through by extremists in Oklahoma, and across the country. By Gina Desiderio Updated March 14, 2024The latest update on the cause of Nex...
Quick Tips for Effective Presentations
Straight from our trainers, these presentation tips will set you up for a fabulous presentation February 16, 2024You could say we’ve done this a few times. As a capacity-building organization, our staff are well versed in how to give an effective presentation. Here...
Stay in the Loop with our Shareable National Observances Calendar
Stay up to date with our 2024 adolescent health national observances Google calendar!By Mariah CowsertJanuary 25, 2024When I first started working at Healthy Teen Network—now 3 years ago, almost to the day!—and started creating content for our social media channels, I...
Welcome, Bianca!
We’re excited to have Bianca Devoto join our Innovation and Research Department! January 12, 2024We’re excited to have Bianca join Milagros, Patricia, Charlie Blue, Kaitlyn, and April in our Innovation and Research department as a Senior Manager. Bianca Devoto, MSPH,...
Why all Menstruating Students Deserve Dignified Self-Care
Young people—and all of us, really—deserve to live in a world that celebrates and does not stigmatize the topic of menstrual health and human growth. By Sasha Grenier, MPH, CHESDecember 14, 2023This October, I attended the #HealthyTeen23 conference to accept the...
So Long, Farewell!
EDITOR’S NOTE: The length of this post is in violation of my “cut-to-the-chase” standard. Apologies in advance. By Valerie Sedivy, PhD December 4, 2023With much joy but also much sadness, last week, we gave our warmest wishes to our beloved colleague and Director of...
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, MANovember 9, 2023It’s been almost four months since the Department of Education in my home state of Virginia released new model...
Taking Care of Each Other at #HealthyTeen23
Thank you for taking care with us at #HealthyTeen23; now let’s work together to take action.By Janet Max, MPH, CHES October 20, 2023As I was drafting my opening remarks for #HealthyTeen23 and reflecting on our conference, I realized this was my 20th conference with...
Welcome, Caro!
We’re excited to have Caro Hernandez join our Capacity Building department! September 29, 2023We’re excited to have Caro Hernandez join Deb, Valerie, Sam, and Mackenzie in our Capacity Building department as a Project Coordinator. Caro brings nearly a decade of...
Welcome, Arianna!
We’re excited to have Arianna de la Mancha join our Communications Department! September 28, 2023We’re excited to have Arianna join Gina, Allison, and Mariah in our Communications department as a Communications Designer. Arianna de la Mancha is an artist, writer, sex...
Menstrual Dignity for Students Program to Receive 2023 Healthy Teen Network #StandingStrong Award
In recognition of the Program’s efforts to ensure all menstruating students have the opportunity for safe, dignified self-care September 13, 2023Our nation’s young people face continued and escalating attacks on their sexual and reproductive health rights, driven by...
Protecting Transgender Youth and Young Adults in Maryland
Get the latest scoop on the Trans Health Equity Act in Maryland and what you can do to show up for the trans, non-binary, and gender-expansive young people—and adults—in your life. By Mariah CowsertAugust 31, 2023While Pride month has already wrapped up this Summer,...
How Youth-Friendly is Your Clinic?
On a scale from mid to stellar, how would the youth you serve rate your clinic's youth-friendliness? By Allison Tomai Felsen August 17, 2023Have you ever walked into a health care facility and felt totally overwhelmed? Or been unsure how to talk to your health care...
A Mind Flayer from Stranger Things? The Brooms from Fantasia?! No, Friends…It’s the Clitoris!
Tales from an impromptu poll among friends...and a challenge for you.By Mackenzie Piper, MPH, CHES August 3, 2023Afew months ago, I was getting ready for a for a sex ed workshop with a group of adults. In preparation, I decided to purchase another anatomical model to...
Let’s Talk Inclusivity… in Birth Control!
We need to be mindful of our language to ensure that we’re reaching young people of all genders.By Vanessa GeffrardJuly 13, 2023As health educators, it’s likely that we’ll teach a lesson, or answer questions about, birth control for a classroom full of curious young...
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