Concurrent Sessions

1. Reading and Understanding the Research behind Science-Based Programs: A Primer
   Tom Klaus, M.Ed.
   
   How can you tell whether a program is effective? This workshop is a ninety-minute version of a half-day to full-day training experience that teaches practitioners how to quickly assess the likely impact of a teen pregnancy prevention program and the quality of its evaluation, using journal articles and other publications that have been written about it. The workshop will focus on twelve critical questions that lead to a better understanding of a program’s impact and quality.

    

    

2. Peer Educator, “Reaching for the Stars”
   Judy R. Gawlinski
   
   The peer educator program at Union City High School is benefiting the community in countless ways. This workshop will address the job of peer educators, how to conduct a community family night, and how to organize your own peer educator program. Members of the Union City class will discuss what the program can do for your school. The peer educators will also conduct a mini-lesson to show how teens can make a difference. Come learn from the kids!

    

    

3. Sex Ed Comes to Hogwarts: What We Can Learn and Teach from the Harry Potter Series
   Allyson Sandak, M.A.
   
   Experience the magic of this interactive workshop that will demonstrate innovative sex-ed strategies based on the Harry Potter series, a popular cultural phenomenon. Infusing programs with pop-culture and literary figures to which students can relate is one way to “meet students where they’re at” and create engaging, culturally relevant sex education. Come discuss sexuality from a holistic perspective and explore the various sexuality themes embedded in this beloved series. The lessons modeled will cover such topics as pregnancy prevention and personal relationships. Fly away with ideas about how to further engage youth by incorporating other media, music, and literary trends into sex-ed programs. All Witches, Wizards, and Muggles are welcome!

    

    

4. A Sacred Trust: Keeping the Faith in Sexuality Education 
   Taalibah A. Kariem-White 
   
   It comes down to trust.  Building capacity to implement a teen pregnancy prevention program requires awareness of community needs based on its characteristics, traditions and readiness to adopt a successful intervention.  When working with faith-based groups, sensitivity to values and principles inherent in religious beliefs are essential to manage controversy and maintain trust.
   

    

    

5. Progress through Advocacy: Can My Voice Make a Difference?
   Aimee D. LeFevers
   
   Advocacy is a tool for citizens to use in our democracy to bring about improvements, but “Can My Voice Make a Difference?” We will consider the notion that progress—change for the better—will not happen without advocacy. The workshop participants will engage in a meaningful small-group activity in the spirit of Dr. Seuss, called “Saving Who-Ville,” to illustrate the inadequacies and inequities of Pennsylvania’s system of funding public schools, and the impact on teens, schools, communities, and regions. We will reflect on the emotional connection needed for creating effective advocates for change. This presentation will challenge the participants to develop (1) a greater understanding of the role of advocacy as a problem-solving tool, (2) strategies for becoming, recruiting, and energizing advocates, and (3) an individual/organizational advocacy plan.

    

    

6. Hot Topics in Adolescent Contraception
   Evelyn Simpkins, Physicians for Reproductive Choice and Health
   
   This workshop will provide healthcare professionals with an overview of the essentials of contraception for adolescents. Beginning with an analysis of recent data regarding adolescent sexuality and contraceptive use, the session addresses the physical and psycho-social aspects of adolescent development that affect contraceptive use and choice of method. Through a mixture of didactic lecture, group discussion, and case presentation, the presenter will introduce the most appropriate methods for adolescent contraception with particular focus on efficacy, safety, and the advantages and disadvantages of adolescent use.
   
   
   
7. Understanding HPV: Information and Resources for Professionals Who Work with Youth
   Lisa Wehr
   
   The human papilloma virus is considered the most commonly diagnosed sexually transmitted infection among American youth and has been linked to the development of cervical cancer and genital warts. This session will provide a brief overview of HPV, including prevalence, transmission routes, typical symptoms, diagnosis and treatment, and risk reduction and prevention strategies. The benefits and limitations of HPV vaccination will also be discussed. Reproducible handouts as well as suggestions for classroom activities to facilitate learning will be included.

    

    

8. Uncovering the Truth about Abstinence-Only “Education”: Tools and Information to Make Positive Change
   Sari Stevens, Sarah Coburn
   
   Staff members from the ACLU’s Clara Bell Duvall Reproductive Freedom Project will talk about the role they have played in the PARSE (Pennsylvanians for Responsible Sex Education) Coalition, which boasts a membership of more than fifteen health, advocacy, and religious organizations from across Pennsylvania. They will describe the work PARSE has done and what coalition efforts have uncovered. Information about the three major federal funding streams for abstinence-only-until-marriage programming in Pennsylvania, and how that money is being spent, will be discussed. The presenters will talk about how the participants can influence school boards and lawmakers, how to organize parents and teens, how to research what is being taught in schools, and what resources are available to them. Active participation is expected, as this will also serve as an info-share and brainstorming session for persons interested in eliminating abstinence-only education from public schools.

    

    

9. Evidence-Based Prevention and Your Local Community Prevention Board
   Joe Markiewicz
   
   State and federal agencies are requiring more and more evidence-based prevention programs that have the support of the scientific community in the areas of teen pregnancy, violence, substance abuse, delinquency, and school dropouts. In addition, local prevention initiatives are becoming more collaborative, as service providers and other key leaders must work together as partners in prevention to achieve this goal. This workshop will review the collaborative board process (including a needs assessment) and the implementation of evidence-based prevention programs designed to reduce the risk factors leading to teen pregnancy and other adolescent problem behaviors. Some of the key components of this presentation will include the use of the Pennsylvania Youth Survey (PAYS) as a needs assessment tool for risk factors, and the Communities That Care (CTC) planning model as the catalyst for community prevention planning.

    

    

10. Are You Sending the Right Message?:  A New Vocabulary for Teen Pregnancy Prevention
    Glynis Shea
    
    As advocates for young people and teen pregnancy prevention practitioners, we know first hand that many adults view teenagers as trouble. Media messages and human nature inevitably “frame” adolescents as a problem, which makes our jobs even more challenging.
    
    This unusual workshop applies lessons learned from the world of advertising to the challenges of the youth-serving community. Just like the companies that market cars and candy bars, we’ll analyze what our audiences think about young people and teen pregnancy prevention. From there, we’ll learn strategies that create receptive listeners, develop persuasive, audience-centric messages, and craft a new vocabulary for teen pregnancy prevention.
    

     

     

11. Navigating Stormy Seas: Real-Life Guidelines for Supporting LGBTQA Teens in a Conservative Small Town
    Mary Jo Podgurski, M.A., RN
    
    This interactive workshop will explore the lessons learned by peer educators who initiated the first Gay-Straight Alliance in a conservative small town in Pennsylvania. Young people from the GSA will present an educational drama entitled Unheard Voices, which shares their personal stories. They will also facilitate a large interactive learning activity and host a panel detailing practical reality-based hints for creating a safe haven for LGBTQA teens regardless of the challenges faced by the environment. Come hear from these thoughtful, thought-provoking kids.

     

     

12. Rising to the Challenge of Promoting Science-Based Approaches—The Workshop
    Tom Klaus, M.Ed.
    
    This is a ninety-minute version of a full-day training workshop in managing controversy that can arise in a community when promoting the use of science-based programs in teen pregnancy prevention. The participants will benefit from Tom’s decades of experience working in communities and training and consulting for educators and youth professionals. The workshop will highlight three key concepts that are critical to successfully meeting local challenges to science-based programming, and managing the controversy that can occur.

     

     

13. Teaching Sexuality Education to Students with Learning Disabilities
    Carolyn Rychcik
    
    This workshop, focusing on a group so often overlooked in sexuality education, will provide activities and tools to accommodate the various levels of life skills students, including autism. Topics to be covered will include hygiene and puberty, sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS, and good touch/bad touch issues. These topics will be addressed in a basic, very visual, and hands-on method that can be adapted for any educational environment.

     

     

14. Spice Up Your Sex Ed: Favorite Lessons from Sex, Etc.
    Nora Gelperin, M.Ed.
    
    Sex, Etc., the teen magazine and Web site, provides a bounty of teaching tools for high school health teachers. Favorite magazine articles, lesson plans, and video clips from Sex, Etc. will be showcased to familiarize health teachers with teen-friendly resources available to spice up their teaching. Ms. Gelperin is the sexuality expert for weekly live chats on the Sex, Etc. Come learn from her years of training and educating experience.

     

     

15. Evaluation and Funding: Two Essentials for Your Program
    Carl A. Kallgren, Ph.D.
    
    As funding streams narrow and competition for scarce dollars increases, it is essential that programs recognize and effectively address those issues that will give them the competitive edge in obtaining the financial resources needed for survival. To successfully compete, agencies need to use science-based approaches, conduct high-quality evaluation services for their programs (including conducting a needs assessment and building a logic model), have access to information on a wide variety of funding sources, and write high-quality funding proposals that include evaluation. This session will consist of brief didactic presentations interspersed with hands-on exercises in which participants will apply what they have learned to their own particular programs. It will provide information, skills, and strategies that have the potential to make a huge impact on agencies’ ability to survive.

     

     

16. Mobilizing Parents to Advocate for Sex Education
    Barbara Huberman, RN, M.Ed.
    
    
    
    
    
17. Putting the Pieces Together: Using Recent Evaluations, Research, and Resources to Advocate for Comprehensive Sexuality Education
    Catherine Morrison, M.P.H.
    
    Over the last several years, numerous government and NGO reports and evaluations regarding abstinence-only-until-marriage programs have bolstered the conversation around sexuality education in the United States. These findings have shed light on the ineffective and sometimes harmful nature of these programs, which have received more than $1.5 billion in federal and state funds since 1996. Whether they are educating community members, parents, local and state policy makers, or the media, this research can assist advocates of comprehensive sexuality education at the state and local levels to work toward securing responsible laws and policies that protect the health and well-being of our nation’s young people. This workshop will also offer the participants the opportunity to interact and discuss ways these tools can be applied in their own communities.

     

     

18. Professional Development in Your Pajamas: A New Online Sexuality Workshop!
    Nora Gelperin, M.Ed.
    
    Time and money are often scarce for professional development, and teachers crave high-quality workshops that will enable them to become better teachers. Many health and P.E. teachers do not have a background in human sexuality and are required to teach a controversial subject they might know little about. This dynamic and interactive workshop will highlight a new online professional development opportunity for health teachers that covers the sexuality ABCs (Abstinence, Birth control, and Condoms), and will demonstrate how professionals can participate in high-quality workshops without leaving the comfort of their own home or office.

     

     

19. Wheel of Misfortune
    Barb Still, M.S.N., RN
    
    Come view a demonstration of an interactive learning activity that is based on the popular game show Wheel of Fortune and is appropriate for middle school students. Question categories include STDs, pregnancy, broken hearts, and free spaces. As categories are landed on, the opportunity for spirited discussion about the specific area arises. The students are encouraged to verbalize reasons that teens do or do not engage in sexual activities. The role of the media, alcohol, and peer pressure is just one of the issues explored. You will see how the facilitator attempts to be unbiased, just the “fact person.” Facts and statistics are used throughout the presentations on STDs and pregnancy, including statistics on the children of teen mothers.

     

     

20. Frontline Stories: Implementing Science-Based Programs
    Susan E. Washinger, M.Ed.
    
    A panel of Pennsylvania educators will discuss their successes and challenges in implementing three nationally popular science-based curricula. Included will be the “Be Proud, Be Responsible” series (developed by Jemmott, Jemmott, and McCaffree of the University of Pennsylvania), “Making Proud Choices,” and “Making a Difference.” Representing different levels of experience in school-based and community-based programs in both rural and urban areas, the panel members will share their diverse implementation experiences. The participants will have the chance to interact with the panel members as they discuss their experiences with these science-based programs.

     

     

21. Selecting, Implementing, and Sustaining Science-Based Approaches in Public Schools
    Erin E. Johnson, M.P.H., CHES
    
    Science-based approaches (SBAs) are becoming the framework for prevention of teen pregnancy and HIV/STI in South Carolina public schools. For two years the South Carolina Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy and the South Carolina Department of Education have collaborated to ensure that sexuality education teachers, school administrators, and curriculum review committees receive the information, training, resources, and technical assistance needed to successfully select and implement proven, effective curricula. This session will outline how the partnership was developed, resources needed to implement this project, how schools can effectively implement proven, effective curricula, and the support and resources required to sustain SBAs in the public schools. Using lecture and group activities, this session will also show the participants how they can apply the lessons learned in South Carolina to their own agencies or local schools.

     

     

22. Sustainable Teen Pregnancy Prevention Efforts through Healthy Youth Development
    Carl A. Kallgren, Ph.D.
    
    When Erie County began its teen pregnancy prevention efforts, it addressed many aspects of teens’ lives: youth, parents, religious institutions, schools, youth activities, training of youth workers, the media, and community standards. Over time, efforts were focused on promoting healthy youth development so that teens would avoid pregnancy. Consequently, the county adopted the “40 Developmental Assets” championed by the Search Institute. At the same time, efforts focusing specifically on teen pregnancy prevention were strengthened. Not only did the entire community embrace these efforts; it also came forward with resources, including funding, to keep the efforts moving forward. This session will describe how to build a coalition of community partners and sustain teen pregnancy prevention efforts by adopting a healthy youth development approach.

     

     

23. Successful Teen Parenting: The PPT/ELECT Program - Successfully Providing Support
    Karen Beitzel, MSW
    Incidences of secondary pregnancies among teens are common.  Pennsylvania's Pregnant and Parenting Teen (PPT) and the Education Leading to Employment and Career Training (ELECT) initiatives provide support to expectant or parenting students to keep them engaged in school and focused on obtaining their high school diploma, lessening the likelihood of a second pregnancy before graduation.  This workshop will provide an overview of the Statewide PPT/ELECT programs sponsored by Pennsylvania's Departments of Education and Public Welfare.  Young parents from PPT/ELECT programs will be active participants in this workshop as they provide conference attendees with ways that these education-focused programs impacted their decision to wait to have more children.

     

24. Experiential Learning in Sexuality Education
    Konnie McCaffree, Ph.D.

    Though knowledge is important, helping youth develop emotional literacy and skills enriches their learning experience. Participants in this workshop will be introduced to the experiential learning cycle, discovering various ways to engage students to become aware of their own feelings as well as others while they learn.
     
     

25. The State of Sex Education in Pennsylvania: An Investigation of Policies and Programs
    Maryjo M. Oster
    
    Advocates of comprehensive sex education, as well as proponents of the abstinence-only-until-marriage approach, consistently point to the injustices that are occurring in Pennsylvania classrooms as a result of the opposing side’s variety of sex education. Both sides are adamant that their way is the best way and that their opponents’ way is harmful to our youth and should be kept out of Pennsylvania classrooms, but does anyone actually know what is, in fact, going on in Pennsylvania classrooms? To answer this question, Oster’s doctoral dissertation project has been investigating the sex education policies and programs in place in each of Pennsylvania’s 501 school districts. The presentation will provide the participants with the preliminary results from this undertaking, as well as propose possible research questions that may be explored at a later date.