This is a monthly publication from Jennifer O'Brien, the Adolescent Health
Coordinator at the Minnesota Department of Health (see contact information
at the end of this publication). This E-Newsletter will cover adolescent
health/ youth development related research, data, resources, learning and
funding opportunities for interested professionals. Past issues of the
newsletter are available online at: http://www.health.state.mn.us/youth/
July 2007
PLEASE NOTE: This will be the final Adolescent Health ENewsletter until November 2007 due to my maternity leave.
Have a great summer!
Research
1. AUTHORS EXAMINE ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN CONFIDENTIAL SERVICES AND
PARENT-ADOLESCENT COMMUNICATION
2. THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SELF-INJURIOUS BEHAVIOR AND SUICIDE IN A
YOUNG ADULT POPULATION
3. ASSOCIATION BETWEEN ADOLESCENT PREGNANCY AND A FAMILY HISTORY OF
TEENAGE BIRTHS
Resources
4. ADULTS' ABILITY TO RUN THE GOVERNMENT EARNS A C- FROM TEENS
5. BRIEF HIGHLIGHTS COMMUNITY EFFORTS TO PROVIDE CONTINUITY OF MENTAL
HEALTH CARE AND DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE SUPPORTS TO ADOLESCENTS
AND YOUNG ADULTS
6. HRSA'S STOP BULLYING NOW! CAMPAIGN
7. NEW FACTSHEETS from HEALTHY TEEN NETWORK
8. UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANT YOUTH: GUIDE FOR ADVOCATES AND SERVICE
PROVIDERS
9. LESSONS FROM FAMILY-STRENGTHENING INTERVENTIONS: LEARNING FROM
EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE
Conferences
10. 8TH ANNUAL NATIVE AMERICAN PREVENTION PROGRAM SHARING CONFERENCE
July 16 - 18, 2007
11. READY TO WORK? PARTNERS IN YOUTH WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, JUNE 2007
Grants
12. 2007 MINNESOTA AFTER-SCHOOL GRANT COMPETITION
13. MAKE IT YOUR OWN AWARDSTM
Adolescent Health E Newsletter
July 2007
Research
1. AUTHORS EXAMINE ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN
CONFIDENTIAL SERVICES AND PARENT-ADOLESCENT
COMMUNICATION (From MCH Alert:
http://www.mchlibrary.info/alert/archives.html)
Lerand SJ, Ireland M, Boutelle K. 2007. Communication with our
teens: Associations between confidential service and parent-teen
communication. Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology
20():173-178.
"This study supports the hypothesis that availability of services is
not a barrier to adolescent-parent communication about their health,"
state the authors of an article published in the June 2007 issue of the
Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology. Questions remain
about the relationship between access to confidential services and
whether adolescents communicate with their parents regarding their
health care. The article describes a study to examine whether the
availability of confidential services was a barrier to adolescents'
communication with their parents about heath issues. The researchers
also evaluated whether adolescents' comfort with discussing
reproductive health issues would impact future communication with
parents about potentially serious and sensitive reproductive health
care issues.
In terms of adolescents' decisions about whether to discuss their
reasons for coming to the clinic and their future communication related
to serious and sensitive reproductive health care issues with their
parents, there was no significant difference between adolescents who
came in for confidential vs. non-confidential services.
The authors suggest that further research is needed to explore health
professionals' role in helping adolescents share information about a
serious and sensitive reproductive health problem and assisting them
in obtaining support from their parents. The authors add that
interventions need to be in place to educate parents about
communication with their adolescent and the rights of their adolescent
under the minor's consent laws.
Adolescent Health E Newsletter
July 2007
2. THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SELF-INJURIOUS BEHAVIOR
AND SUICIDE IN A YOUNG ADULT POPULATION
Whitlock J, Knox KL. 2007. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 161:634-640.
“Objective: To test the hypothesis that self-injurious behavior (SIB)
signals an attempt to cope with psychological distress that may cooccur or lead to suicidal behaviors in individuals experiencing more
duress than they can effectively mitigate.
Design: Analysis of a cross-sectional data set of college-age students.
Setting: Two universities in the northeastern United States in the
spring of 2005.
Participants: A random sample of 8300 students was invited to
participate in a Web-based survey; 3069 (37.0%) responded. Cases in
which a majority of the responses were missing or in which SIB or
suicide status was indeterminable were omitted, resulting in 2875
usable cases.
Exposure: Self-injurious behavior.
Main Outcome Measures: Main outcome was suicidality; adjusted
odds ratios (AORs) for suicidality by SIB status when demographic
characteristics, history of trauma, distress, informal help-seeking, and
attraction to life are considered.
Results: One quarter of the sample reported SIB, suicidality, or both;
40.3% of those reporting SIB also report suicidality. Self-injurious
behavior status was predictive of suicidality when controlling for
demographic variables (AOR, 6.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.97.8). Addition of trauma and distress variables attenuated this
relationship (AOR, 3.7; 95% CI, 2.7-4.9). Compared with respondents
reporting only suicidality, those also reporting SIB were more likely to
report suicide ideation (AOR, 2.8; 95% CI, 2.0-3.8), plan (AOR, 5.6;
95% CI, 3.9-7.9), gesture (AOR, 7.3; 95% CI, 3.4-15.8), and attempt
(AOR, 9.6; 95% CI, 5.4-17.1). Lifetime SIB frequency exhibits a
curvilinear relationship to suicidality.
Conclusions: Since it is well established that SIB is not a suicidal
gesture, many clinicians assume that suicide assessment is
Adolescent Health E Newsletter
July 2007
unnecessary. Our findings suggest that the presence of SIB should
trigger suicide assessment.”
3. ASSOCIATION BETWEEN ADOLESCENT PREGNANCY AND A
FAMILY HISTORY OF TEENAGE BIRTHS
East PL, Reyes BT, Horn EJ. 2007. Perspectives on Sexual &
Reproductive Health, 39:2, 108-115.
Abstract
“CONTEXT: The extent to which young women’s risk of adolescent
pregnancy is associated with having a mother who was a teenage
parent, a sister who was a teenage parent or both is not known.
METHODS: A sample of 127 Latina and black adolescent females
completed in-depth surveys at three time points between 1994 and
2000. Logistic regression analyses were used to examine whether
socioeconomic factors, mothers’ parenting characteristics and certain
sibling relationship qualities explain the association between a family
history of teenage births and young women’s risk of pregnancy.
RESULTS: Compared with young women with no family history of
teenage births, young women whose sister had had a teenage birth
and those whose sister and mother both had had teenage births were
significantly more likely to experience a teenage pregnancy (odds
ratios, 4.8 and 5.1, respectively). Young women who had only a sister
who had had a teenage birth had greater odds of pregnancy than
young women who had only a mother who had had a teenage birth
(4.5). Having both a mother and a sister who had had teenage births
was independently associated with an elevated risk of pregnancy
(3.7), even after controlling for socioeconomic and mothers’ parenting
characteristics. Frequent companionship with an older sister was
associated with increased odds of teenage pregnancy (4.5); frequent
conflict with an older sister who had had a teenage birth was
marginally associated with decreased odds of the outcome (0.3).
CONCLUSION: Pregnancy prevention interventions targeting young
women according to maternal and sibling teenage birth histories may
be effective.”
Adolescent Health E Newsletter
July 2007
Resources
4. ADULTS' ABILITY TO RUN THE GOVERNMENT EARNS A CFROM TEENS (From the Child Welfare League of America,
http://www.cwla.org/)
“Adults received a disappointing report card from the nation's youth
last month when CWLA and UCAN of Chicago released the ninth annual
UCAN Teen Report Card. The grades indicate teens nationwide are
concerned about government actions, the political process, and adult
voting patterns. Adults' ability to run the government, in particular,
earned a C-, the lowest grade in the survey.
The Teen Report Card also revealed that teens continue to show
concern about keeping schools safe from violence and crime and
protecting kids from gun violence. More than 1,000 American teens,
ages 12-19, participated in the survey. They graded parents, teachers,
politicians, and other adults for how they affect their lives by using
grades "A" through "F." The study evaluates the day-to-day
performance of all adults in important areas like honesty, leadership,
and safety and provides an outlet for teens to turn the tables and
provide grades to the individuals who are traditionally grading them.
A full copy of the UCAN Teen Report Card, including all grades and
ancillary materials and a teen/adult discussion guide, are available
online or below in PDF:
http://www.ucanchicago.org/advocacy/pdf/grades_glance.pdf
5. BRIEF HIGHLIGHTS COMMUNITY EFFORTS TO PROVIDE
CONTINUITY OF MENTAL HEALTH CARE AND
DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE SUPPORTS TO
ADOLESCENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS (From CMHS Consumer Affairs
E-News June 28, 2007 Vol. 07-100)
On the MOVE: Helping Young Adults with Serious Mental Health Needs
Transition into Adulthood presents findings and future directions from
an initiative to develop and implement transition programs for
adolescents with mental and emotional difficulties as they enter
adulthood. The brief, produced by the Substance Abuse and Mental
Health Services Administration's Partnership for Youth Transition (PYT)
Initiative, provides a snapshot of five PYT-funded sites in Maine,
Adolescent Health E Newsletter
July 2007
Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Utah, and Washington. Topics include the
unique challenges of moving from adolescence to adulthood for
adolescents and young adults diagnosed with a serious emotional
disturbance or serious mental illness, matching services to the needs
of adolescents and young adults, and the Transition to Independence
Process Model. Data and preliminary findings from cross-sectional
analyses of the PYT projects are presented. Federal and state policy
recommendations and lists of resources and contacts are also
included. The report is available at
http://www.connectforkids.org/PYT_brief.pdf
6. HRSA'S STOP BULLYING NOW! CAMPAIGN
The Children's Safety Network (www.childrenssafetynetwork.org)
wants to help you access and use information and materials from
HRSA's Stop Bullying Now! Campaign
(http://stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov)
If you're not already familiar with the Stop Bullying Now (SBN!)
website, please visit:http://stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov/
Make sure that your State’s schools and health and safety agencies
and organizations have these free resources:




Resource Kits
Activity Guides
Tip Sheets for adults and youth
A new DVD Tool Kit for use in schools, health and safety
organizations and law enforcement/sheriff offices.
You can order these resources by calling 1 888 ASK HRSA. Most of
them can also be downloaded directly from the website.
7. NEW FACTSHEETS from HEALTHY TEEN NETWORK
Sexual and Reproductive Health Needs of Young Men
Historically, the sexual and reproductive health needs of young men
have taken a back seat to those of women. Healthy Teen Network
believes that both men and women need discreet and age-appropriate
sexual and reproductive health education in order to reduce unplanned
pregnancies, STIs, and to create stronger families. Available online at
Adolescent Health E Newsletter
July 2007
http://www.healthyteennetwork.org/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC=
{F8660EBE-1AF0-4231-AAAD-798689F83905}
8. UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANT YOUTH: GUIDE FOR
ADVOCATES AND SERVICE PROVIDERS
(From National Collaboration for Youth (NCY) and the National Juvenile
Justice Network (NJJN) www.collab4youth.org/ncy/cjj.htm)
This brief focuses on undocumented immigrant youth: foreign-born
children living in the U.S. without authorization. These youth share
similar disadvantages and insecurities, often lacking language fluency,
cultural knowledge and access to resources. In order to provide
consistent support and protection for these children, juvenile justice
advocates, immigration advocates and youth serving agencies must all
collaborate. Undocumented Immigrant Youth: Guide for Advocates
and Service Providers aims to provide advocates and youth service
agencies the background necessary for this collaboration. It outlines
the risks and obstacles that undocumented immigrant youth face in
both the immigration and juvenile justice systems. The brief also
recommends policies and actions that immigration advocates, youth
advocates, and service providers could adopt to improve the safety
and well-being of immigrant youth.
9. LESSONS FROM FAMILY-STRENGTHENING INTERVENTIONS:
LEARNING FROM EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE (From Harvard
Family Research Project
http://www.gse.harvard.edu/hfrp/projects/fine/resources/research/les
sons.html
A brief that examines how effective family-strengthening interventions
can positively impact families and youth in this new, practitionerfriendly brief. It addresses successful components of rigorously
evaluated interventions and provides recommendations for creating
successful programs and evaluations. Good information for those
interested in addressing adolescent health through parenting
interventions and those involved in supporting effective parenting
among teen parents (e.g. Home Visitation programs).
Adolescent Health E Newsletter
July 2007
Conferences
10. 8th Annual Native American Prevention Program
Sharing Conference
July 16 - 18, 2007
Shooting Star Casino Hotel and Event Center, Mahnomen,
Minnesota
This event begins with a motivational speaker and activities in the
evening of July 16. On July 17 and 18, participants will learn about
specific prevention programs and strategies in use with Native
American youth audiences and about evidence-based programs,
principles and practices. There will be opportunities to talk with others
who are interested in making prevention programs work, strengthen a
good path of life for youth, strengthen connections among prevention
programs throughout Native American Nations, prepare youth to
become good elders, and learn about wellbriety programs and
strategies for Native American Youth. Featured Speakers include: JR
Redwater, Clayton Small, Jerome Kills Small.
Cost: $30.00 (includes conference materials, refreshments, lunch and,
for each paid adult, three youth may attend at no charge provided
they attend sessions with their adult chaperone).
Click here to see the Native American Prevention Program Sharing
Conference agenda.
Click here to download a PDF version of the conference brochure.
Click here to register online for the conference.
Click here for the hotel group rates and directions to Shooting Star
Casino, Hotel & Event Center
All information above can be found on our conference website:
http://captus.samhsa.gov/central/joiningvoices.cfm
11. READY TO WORK? PARTNERS IN YOUTH WORKFORCE
DEVELOPMENT, JUNE 2007
Chapin Hall Web Conference
http://www.about.chapinhall.org/conferences/charting/jun2007/confer
ence.html
Many young people, especially those from disadvantaged communities,
have not acquired the skills necessary to succeed in the workplace. As
Adolescent Health E Newsletter
July 2007
a result, many employers are reluctant to hire at-risk youth or lack the
resources to train them. While program providers support the idea of
engaging employers in youth workforce preparation activities, a
Chapin Hall study shows that program providers, employers, and
schools often work at cross purposes, despite sharing the same
fundamental goal. This web conference discussed the challenges faced
by policymakers, community groups, and employers who aim to
prepare youth for the workplace. It reviewed Chapin Hall research that
explores the effect of misalignments between employers and youth
program providers on expanding employer involvement. It also
highlighted a framework for creating community partnerships among
various stakeholders to ensure that youth have access to
developmentally appropriate programs that can lead to career
opportunities and success. Click the “presentation” tab to access a
recording, panelist presentations, a question and answer log and the
Chapin Hall report.
Grants: (Please note: MDH is NOT a contact for the following
opportunities)
12. 2007 MINNESOTA AFTER-SCHOOL GRANT COMPETITION
http://education.state.mn.us/mde/MN_Afterschool_Grant_Competition/index.html
The Minnesota Department of Education is pleased to announce the 2007
Minnesota After-School Community Learning Program competition for $5.3 million in
grants to establish and/or expand opportunities statewide to provide children and
youth with enrichment activities during those times when school is not in session.
Authorized under Minnesota Statute 124D.2211 during the 2007 legislative session,
the program’s specific purposes are to:
• Increase school connectedness; support and enhance academic
achievement in core academic areas; enhance the capacity of participants to
become productive adults; prevent truancy and juvenile crime.
• Include collaboration with and leveraging of community resources;
outreach to children and youth; and involvement of local government entities
when appropriate.
Target Population
Programs will be expected to target their after-school opportunities to school-aged
children and youth between the ages of five and nineteen, especially those children
and youth who cannot access quality after-school opportunities. Youth during the
Adolescent Health E Newsletter
July 2007
transition years from childhood to adolescence or nine to fifteen years of age are a
priority for engagement in activities sponsored by this grant.
Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicant organizations include community or nonprofit organizations,
political subdivisions, for-profit or non-profit child care centers and school-based
programs that serve youth after-school or during non-school hours. Organizations do
not need to have prior experience in providing after-school programs to be eligible to
apply for a grant.
Grant Awards
It is anticipated that grant awards for the two-year period will range from $75,000 $300,000, though applicants are not restricted to this range of grant funds in their
application request.
Application Timeline
• July 9, 2007 Release of application
• July 9 – August 3, 2007 Online application workshop available
• July 20, 2007 Optional Intent to Apply notification deadline
• August 3, 2007 Application due (must be postmarked or received by
MDE by this date)
• August 8 – 22, 2007 Peer review of grant applications
• August 28 – Sept 7, 2007 MDE consideration of peer review scores
• September 7, 2007 Notification of applicants on grant award decisions
• October 1-15, 2007 Anticipated start dates of grants
Additional Information
Information relating to the 2007 Minnesota After-School Grant Competition is
available online at:
http://education.state.mn.us/mde/MN_Afterschool_Grant_Competition/index.html
To receive additional information, send an email to: MDE.Prev-Interv@state.mn.us
Adolescent Health E Newsletter
July 2007
Reviewers Needed
Minnesota After-School Community Learning Program grant applications will be
reviewed and scored by peer reviewers that reflect the diversity of Minnesota’s
communities and will include youth. Individuals interested in reviewing grants can
sign-up at the following web address:
http://www.zoomerang.com/survey.zgi?p=WEB226LLKK8R2Y
13. MAKE IT YOUR OWN AWARDSTM
Do you want to make a difference in your community? We're looking
for inspired individuals and passionate teams who are connecting
people to discuss what matters, find smart solutions, and take action.
And we're awarding grants up to $35,000 to help make it happen. If
you're ready to work with others to achieve lasting change, we want to
hear from you. Learn more and Apply Today!
http://www.casefoundation.org/make-it-your-own/awards?source=partnerNL_YPACTR
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For more information on Adolescent Health at MDH, please contact
Jennifer O’Brien
Adolescent Health Coordinator
Minnesota Department of Health
P.O. Box 64882
St Paul, MN 55164-0882
651-201-3627
Jennifer.obrien@health.state.mn.us
Adolescent Health E Newsletter
July 2007