This newsletter was developed as part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Division of Adolescent and School Health’s (DASH) initiative, Expanding Partnerships and Disseminating HIV Prevention Materials to Reduce HIV and other STDs among Adolescents through National Non-Governmental Organizations (PS16-1603). The initiative was created to increase education of key stakeholders on CDC-developed approaches to school-based programs for creating healthier adolescents (10-19 years old) by reducing HIV and STD infection. This issue focuses on parental engagement.
RESOURCES
Parent engagement in schools is defined as parents and school staff working together to support and improve the learning, development and health of children and adolescents. Connecting, engaging, and sustaining relationships with parents and caregivers provides a protective factor that is related to improved student behavior, higher academic achievement, and enhanced social skills. Furthermore, parental engagement improves the likelihood that young people will avoid tobacco, alcohol, and other drug use.The following resources identify strategies to develop, maintain, and expand parent engagement in schools to positively impact the health and well-being of young people.
Strategies for Involving Parents in School Health: This CDC-developed resource highlights why parental engagement is important and how to connect, engage, and sustain meaningful relationships with caregivers to increase protective factors for youth
Parent Engagement Resources: These CDC-developed resources identify strategies to promote parent engagement in order to improve students’ academic success and their physical and emotional well-being.
- Resource for State and Local Education Agencies
- Resource for School Districts and School Administrators
- Resource for Teachers and Other School Staff
- Resource for Parents and Families
UPCOMING CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS, & WEBINARS
Workshop: Partnership: Establishing Connections with Parents to Implement School-Based Approaches to Reduce HIV/STDs June 25, 2018 (1:30-2:45pm) at the National School-Based Health Care Convention, sponsored by School-Based Health Alliance
Presenters: Clifton Bush, BS, MHA (Albany Area Primary Health Care, Inc.); Sue Catchings, MA, CHES (Health Centers in Schools); Suzanne Mackey, BA, MPH (School-Based Health Alliance); Cassandra Richard, BA (Health Centers in Schools)
Adolescent rates of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in East Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Terrell County, Georgia are staggering and must be addressed through community-led approaches. Through CDC-funded work, two teams listened to their communities and developed one-year action plans to reduce adolescent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and STD rates. Hear from key stakeholders – including youth – to learn about their processes and how you can tackle the initial steps of action planning for a difficult health issue in your own community.
The theme for this year’s meeting is “Fueling Your Growth in Confidence, Competence, and Vision.” As the premier national gathering for the school-based health care field, the Convention is a fantastic opportunity to connect with hundreds of fellow school-based health care professionals and supporters from across the nation. More than 3,000 school-based health centers nationwide are delivering integrated, patient-centered care, screenings for conditions like obesity and depression, and preventive services—all with a special focus on vulnerable children and adolescents. Convention attendees will also explore new ways health centers are serving their schools and their communities by promoting wellness and health equity. Click here for more information and to register.
Workshop: Partnership: Establishing Connections with Parents to Implement School-Based Approaches to Reduce HIV/STDs July 2, 2018 (11:00-12:15pm) at the National Association of School Nurses Annual Conference
Presenter: Brittany McBride, MPH (Advocates for Youth)
This is a skills building workshop for school nurses to identify and practice strategies to improve partnership with parents of adolescents in order to implement the CDC-developed school-based approaches to reduce HIV/STDs. These approaches include: Health Education, Health Services, and Safe and Supportive Environments. Effective communication and collaboration between school nurses and parents provide an enhanced school connectedness that promotes an environment where all young people can feel valued and secure. In order to develop strategic partnerships with parent allies it is important to identify potential obstacles, opportunities to overcome barriers, benefits of partnership, and strategies to establish relationships. The workshop will provide practical insight on how to improve relationships between school nurses and parents to improve the health and well-being of young people and why this partnership is important. Participants will engage in small/large group discussions, case studies, interactive activities, and directly communicate with the presenter to identify at least three strategies to successfully establish and/or expand partnerships with parents to implement school-based approaches to reduce HIV/STDs.
Workshop: Strengthening Communication Skills to Affirm the Sexual Health of LGBTQ Students
July 3, 2018 (9:15-11:15am) at the National Association of School Nurses Annual Conference
Presenters: Samantha Ritter, MPH (NACCHO); Becca Mui, M.Ed. (GLSEN)
The purpose of this activity is to enable the learner to support students’ sexual health needs by developing and strengthening competencies related to sexual health communication; specifically, the session will build learners’ skills related to discussing and responding to concerns or disclosure about gender, attraction, identity, and behavior, and establishing rapport to foster open communication regarding sexual behavior. Learners will participate in role-playing scenarios to practice these competencies and discuss challenges, barriers, and potential solutions with fellow learners.
Conference: National Association of School Nurses
June 3 – July 30 in Baltimore, MD
The theme of this year’s conference, “Power of the Past, Force of the Future,” provides the following learning opportunities: incorporate the principles of the Framework for 21st Century School Nursing Practice into daily practice to advance student and population health, identify school nursing trends that have evolved over the last 50 years of NASN, and apply evidence-based best practices that promote student health, academic success, and healthy school communities. Click here to register!
Workshop: Action Planning and Partnerships for Adolescent Sexual Health: Collaborating with School Districts and Key Community Stakeholders July 11, 2018 (10:15-11:15am) at NACCHO Annual 2018
NACCHO funded four Local Health Departments (LHDs) to partner with school districts to conduct an environmental scan and develop and implement an action plan in a participatory, community-driven process to support adolescent sexual health. Jurisdictions identified a strategic priority area of health education, health services, or safe and supportive environments to meet the needs of adolescents in their community. In this session, two of the funded LHDs will share lessons learned, best practices, and results of the process. Stakeholders who engaged in this process reported increased capacity to implement school-based approaches to HIV/STD prevention and a better understanding of key adolescent sexual health needs.
Conference: Gender Spectrum Conference and Professionals Symposium
July 7-8, 2018 in Moraga, CA
The Gender Spectrum Conference is an opportunity for youth and families to spend a weekend gaining the resources, information, and community needed to help young people effectively navigate their world. Workshops for caregivers, parents, and other family members will focus on expanding attendee knowledge base on key subjects and providing access to some of the leading experts in a variety of fields. The conference promises to be an unforgettable event for everyone who attends. The peaceful surroundings, amazing staff, and incredibly supportive community will make it a weekend that will stay with you long after your trip home. Click here to register!
Conference: NACCHO Annual 2018
Date & Time: July 10-12, 2018 in New Orleans, LA
The theme of this year’s conference, Unleashing the Power of Local Public Health, highlights the unique opportunity local public health has to convene discussions and efforts around population health, clinical medicine, and the management of systems that measure health and healthcare outcomes. Click here to register!
This document was made possible by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Adolescent and School Health (CDC-DASH) under cooperative agreement 1UP87PS004154. The contents do not necessarily represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.