Opportunities

 Kaiser Family Foundation Accepting Applications for Barbara Jordan Health Policy Scholars Program 

Administered in partnership with Howard University, the intensive eleven-week summer program brings rising college seniors and recent college graduates to Washington, D.C., where they are placed in congressional offices to learn first-hand about health policy and the legislative process, and to learn about issues affecting racial and ethnic minority and underserved communities. The 2012 program will take place May 21 to August 4, 2012.The program is open to individuals who are members of a population that is adversely affected by racial or ethnic disparities in health, and/or individuals with experience or a strong interest in working to address health issues disproportionately affecting racial and ethnic minorities or other underserved communities. Scholars come from a variety of academic backgrounds, including biology, economics, nursing, and philosophy. Applicants must be U.S. citizens. Individuals who have completed, or are working towards a graduate degree are not eligible for the program. Get more info and apply here

Organization Supporting Healthy Pregnancies Seeks Pregnant Women for Studies  

The Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (OTIS) is currently recruiting pregnant women for several observational studies looking at vaccine use in pregnancy. The HPV vaccine and meningitis vaccine are common vaccines among the teen population. OTIS is enrolling pregnant women who have received one or both of these vaccines either just before becoming pregnant or during pregnancy. The studies are observational studies, not clinical trials. They do not ask women to take any medications or vaccinations. They simply follow the progress of a woman's pregnancy through a series of phone interviews. Participation includes 2-4 telephone interviews, and release of medical records limited to records pertaining to the current pregnancy. The purpose of the studies is to learn more about vaccine use before and during pregnancy.  is a non-profit organization made up of individual services (TIS) throughout North America. We are dedicated to providing accurate evidence-based, clinical information to patients and health care professionals about the safety of exposures during pregnancy and lactation. The organization serves to provide education, to conduct relevant research and to support teratology information services throughout North America. Health-care professionals, the general public, and teens can use this free and confidential service by calling our toll-free number (877) 311-8972. The OTIS website has information about the studies, as well as fact sheets on various medications, vaccines, and exposures during pregnancy which can be printed and given to interested teens. Get info here about the HPV Study and Meningitis Study 

News

SIECUS Releases 2010 State Profiles of Sex Ed and Abstinence Only Programs

The statistics are impossible to ignore-as many as 25% of college students have or have had a sexually transmitted disease, and people ages 15 to 24 contract nearly half of all new STDs. To highlight the need for sexual health resources, as well as to recognize the campuses that excel at providing students extensive and convenient sexual health services, Trojan and Sperling's Best Places annually releases the most comprehensive evaluation of campus sexual health services. To compile its list, Sperling's reached out to the student health centers and administrators at approximately 200 of the nation's largest and most iconic undergraduate institutions and asked them to evaluate their programs based on a dozen measures of convenience, scope, and quality, rating each from one to ten. "Students use the rankings as a tool and a catalyst to bring about changes," says Bert Sperling, the editor of the list. See which colleges top the list here 

Study Compares California and Texas' Approaches to Teen Pregnancy Prevention 

A study published in the Journal of Applied Research on Children, "A Tale of Two States: What We Learn from California and Texas," compares approaches for preventing teen pregnancy. Teen birth rates and teen pregnancy prevention strategies vary widely across individual states in the US, which has the highest overall teen birth rate among developed nations. California and Texas, the two most populous states currently accounting for a quarter of all teen births, have taken very different approaches to addressing adolescent reproductive health. This case study examines the racial/ethnic composition and socioeconomic factors of these two states from 1981 to 2008. State programs and policies implemented between 1991 and 2008 as well as changes in access to contraception and public-private partnerships are discussed. Based on the lessons learned from California, the study suggests a similar multifaceted campaign in Texas may be effective in reducing teen births. Read the study 

Events

Cal-SAFE Training

When: Thursday, November 3, 2011, 33:30pm 

Where: Sacramento, CA Hyatt Regency Hotel, 1209 L Street, Sacramento, CA 95814, California Child Development Administrative Association (CCDAA) Conference   

What: A Cal-SAFE training, Overview, Requirements and Best Practices at the upcoming CCDAA conference. Other workshops of interest to Cal-SAFE staff are Using CDE Infant/Toddler Resources to Improve Early Care and Education, Running an Effective Food Program and Connecting the Desired Results System to the classroom. Get more info and register here 

Where: 630 N. Broadway, Santa Ana, Ca. 92701, Room 216C  

What: This free training is designed to provide participants with hands-on health data mapping skills to enhance and identify your community assets for future projects. Training provided by HealthyCity.org, California's information + action resource for service referral and social change. Sponsored by the Health Care Agency STD Community Intervention's Program. RSVP@714-834-4423  

REGION 8

Mental Health First AID: A Black Perspective

When: Saturdays, November 5 and 12, 2011, 9am-3pm (must attend both days) 

Where: 5106 Federal Blvd. Ste #203, San Diego 

What: Harmonious Solutions is proud to present a training focused on Mental Health in the Black Community. How would you respond to a Mental Health Crisis? Are you impacted by "stigmas" associated to Mental Health? Concerned about Cultural Respect and Understanding?  Are you a Faith Leader, Community Organization, HR Professional, Public Safety/Law Enforcement, Social Worker, Parents, Family Member, or School Staff? Then this training is for you! This is a FREE 12 hour Certification Course! Trainers: Tondra L. Tolin B.A. & Racquel Morrison B.S. Lunch is provided for this free training. SPACE IS LIMITED!  Your R.S.V.P IS STRONGLY ENCOURAGED!!! CONTACT: HARMONIOUS SOLUTIONS @ (619) 248-5676

Check out the flyer here 

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Job Postings

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E-mail tnca@teennowcalifornia.org and we will post your job announcements here. Your position will be sure to reach a variety of health and teen pregnancy professionals.