What's Happening

By Debra Christopher, MSM | January 22, 2015
Director, Professional Learning Systems, ETR

The Colorado Rockies. Snow country in December. Over the holidays, my family and I trekked to the mountains for some snowshoeing and winter hiking. So spectacular!

Our drive home required the navigation of two snowy mountain passes. We were caught in some pretty treacherous weather. My 21-year-old son was driving, and it was stop and go in extremely icy conditions.

By ETR | January 17, 2015

I want to change your mind. Correct a misperception. Support you in changing a behavior. I want to talk to you about something that is so important, your life depends on it.

Who do I need to be? Whom are you going to listen to? Who is going to be able to save your life?

Some interesting research on a behavioral intervention strategy called Popular Opinion Leader says that in communities at high risk for HIV, the people who can change hearts and minds are out there. And prevention programs can enlist their help in changing risk behaviors in their communities.

By Debra Christopher, MSM | January 15, 2015
Director, Professional Learning Systems, ETR

Here’s an activity that helps training participants consolidate learning. It actually activates and strengthens neurological connections, increasing participants’ ability to hold key concepts in long-term memory. Quick and engaging.

By ETR | January 13, 2015

Just about everyone working in adolescent reproductive health has been waiting for the new Office of Adolescent Health Teen Pregnancy Prevention funding proposals. Start breathing again, people! The proposals have arrived!

ETR has just launched a very cool website to help grant seekers develop their plans, choose their programs and prepare their proposals. Check out our brand new Program Success Center for an impressive array of useful tools and resources.

By ETR | January 5, 2015

The flu season is mightily upon us. The CDC’s fluview map, showing current activity in influenza-like illnesses across the country, is looking extremely red this week.

Encouraging people to get a flu vaccine is one practical step. Another is creating norms about hand washing and covering coughs and sneezes. This might be a good time to take a look at ETR’s product page on colds and flu.

We also like this video of Christina Wise talking about a few of her favorite ETR products in the flu prevention category.

By Annika Shore, MPH | December 16, 2014

My work as a professional development consultant at ETR focuses on developing the knowledge and skills of people in the field of adolescent sexual and reproductive health. Our goal? To collectively enhance the health and well-being of young people.

When I think back on the most powerful moments of my career, they all share one thing in common: they were moments when young people and adults worked closely together for a shared goal. Some of those moments occurred when I was the young person, working with mentors in a health education program. Some were more recent, when, as an adult professional, I joined with youth to co-plan conferences or workshops.

By ETR | December 15, 2014

Check out a couple of our favorites from the videos that have crossed our screens recently. The first inspires us to boost leadership roles for women in technology. The second gives us the true scoop about e-cigarettes and health.

Well worth watching!

By Jen Slonaker, MSW | December 11, 2014

How should we be teaching teens about sex? Since I work in the health and sexuality field, this is a question I’ve considered often. Not surprisingly, so have many of my colleagues.

About 10 years ago, a group of people at Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts (PPLM) decided to develop and test a new sex education curriculum for adolescents based on the best evidence available about what works.

What does it take to do this? Quite a lot.

By Debra Christopher, MSM | December 10, 2014

This activity was developed as a closing activity for participants attending last September’s Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) Training Crafting Trainings That Work for All Adult Learners. We got so many positive comments about it, we wanted to share it here.

By John Henry Ledwith | December 9, 2014

One of the truly rewarding things about the work I do is that I get to interact with school professionals on both the local and national levels.

When I talk to people in the local school world—teachers, health educators, administrators—I often hear questions such as:

• Where can I go for more information on school health?
• Whom can I talk to about the health issues in my school community?
• Where can I engage in conversations that will help me grow as a health educator and contribute my own ideas to the process?

Of course, ETR is always available to respond to and answer any questions we can. But the real key is building your network with other classroom professionals. And there are many ways to do that.

By Annabella Firpo | December 6, 2014

Do tasteless humor and political incorrectness have a place in health education?

Recently I encountered two over-the-top ridiculous videos on the Internet that, at first glance, seemed to be mindless, tasteless humor. However, by the end of the videos, both had presented a serious message hidden under the slapstick and shallow comedy. 

By ETR | December 5, 2014

If you’re ready for some powerful and illuminating video viewing, take a look at the TED Bullying Playlist. Four speakers and one heart-lifting musical performance will give you new insights and more than a few moments of reflection.

There are lots of opportunities for student projects using these videos. Review videos before sharing with your students to be sure the content is appropriate—there are some adult themes and a couple of instances of profanity.

By Erica Marsh | December 3, 2014

In my family, libraries were more than buildings that housed and loaned books. They were places with unrestricted access to incredible tools. They nurtured our passion for finding, organizing and sharing information. 

Knowledge is serious stuff in my family. My grandmother, mother and sister were librarians. My father was an American Literature professor and author. My younger brother currently works at a library.

When I was growing up, whenever a question came up that my parents didn’t know the answer to, my mom would say, “Let’s find out!” She would call the reference desk at the local public library. We called this number so often it was posted by the phone.

By Alex Williams | December 1, 2014

Today is December 1, also known as World AIDS Day. Every year on this day there is a temporary global shift in attention to reflect on the impact of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). In the United States, the day is marked by observances, reflections, tributes, concerts, ceremonies, memorial services and themed awareness-raising events.

In the United States, nearly 648,500 persons diagnosed with AIDS have died, and approximately 50,000 persons acquire HIV annually. Today, an estimated 1.2 million persons in the United States are living with HIV.

Although these figures suggest despair, there have been significant advances since the first AIDS diagnosis in June 1981. The theme for this year's observation is "Focus, Partner, Achieve: An AIDS-Free Generation," noting the shift from widespread hopelessness to the eventual eradication of HIV.

By ETR | November 30, 2014

ETR is thrilled with the response to our new pamphlet on e-cigarettes: “E-Cigarettes: 10 Things to Know About Vaping.” In an effort to reach even more people with the facts about e-cigarettes, we now offer this National Health Information Award-winning title in Spanish.

With studies showing the use of e-cigarettes growing rapidly among all age groups, there’s a real need for clear information about these products.

By Dan McCormick, MHA | November 24, 2014

Gratitude. It’s one of those qualities most of us aim to cultivate in our lives, and something we have a chance to genuinely ponder at this time of year.

I asked our staff at a recent all-hands meeting, “What are you grateful for?” I learned that it’s been a great year for gratitude at ETR.

By Ahna Suleiman, DrPH | November 19, 2014

Every sex educator I know has stories about young people who’ve challenged their faith in our ability to change adolescent sexual behavior. For me, one of those stories is about a ninth grader named Rose.

By Kay Todd, MSW | November 18, 2014

ETR Senior Research Scientist Karin Coyle, PhD, was presented with the Doug Kirby/Barbara Huberman Award by TeenNow California at their recent conference in Fresno. The award is given to someone who has made a significant impact in the fields of teen pregnancy prevention, adolescent reproductive health and youth development.

This is the first time TeenNow has presented an award on behalf of Dr. Kirby and Dr. Huberman, two giants in the field.