Workshop Descriptions, Thu
MORNING WORKSHOPS – 10:15-11:45
The Early Years: Promoting Healthy Development in Young Children – Vicki Hadd-Wissler, MA
Inspired by the brilliant simplicity of Robie Harris’s books for young children and guided by CFLE’s Healthy Foundations this workshop is for parents, caregivers, and professionals who work with parents, who want support for those “teachable moments” and tips for starting the conversation about sexuality in the early years.
Reclaiming Abstinence – Southern Style – Elokin CaPece, MA, Jennifer Warren, & Jennifer Marshall
In the Mississippi Delta, abstinence can be the most requested sexual health topic for teens. This workshop will discuss creating an empowering opportunity to address harmful sexual stereotypes, encourage critical thinking about sexual decision-making, and increase a teen’s sexual support system.
Relationship and Sexuality Education for Adolescents on the Autism Spectrum – Nancy Nowell, MPA MEd
Adolescents on the autism spectrum attending middle and high schools need and want romantic relationships just like their peers, but often do not have the social skills necessary to negotiate these relationships and are getting into trouble. Teaching these social skills is critical to reducing loneliness, sexual abuse, and avoiding contact with the criminal justice system.
Sauxel Ftasnay: Decoding Desire – Megan Andelloux, CSE, BCS & Aida Manduley
“Sauxel Ftasnay: Decoding Desires” highlights the importance of discussing fantasies from a sex-positive educational standpoint while addressing some of the main concerns surrounding our unspoken desires. Recognizing the need for comprehensive sexuality education, participants will be given the necessary tools and knowledge to safely and effectively facilitate group conversations on this traditionally taboo topic. This workshop is for professionals who work with adults.
The Sexting Craze: Can We Protect Youth From Sex & Tech? – Rebecca Roberts, MEd & Catherine H. M. Dukes, Ph.D.
Young people are being exposed to more sexual images than ever before. Sexting alone has become a pervasive problem with 15-20% of teens admitting to having sent or received sexually-explicit texts. This workshop will include discussing sexting with teens, prevention strategies for youth, and adult-teen communication tips.
Teaching Pregnancy Prevention to At-Risk Boys – Megara Bell
Pregnancy prevention is often geared toward young women, ignoring the learning styles, needs, and cultural biases of young men. Participants will discuss some of the cultural and gender-based roadblocks to engaging boys in pregnancy prevention. Using concrete examples, this workshop will bridge the gap between supporting pregnancy prevention and responsible fatherhood in young men.
Sex Ed, A Principal’s Perspective – Kim Marshall
Participants will learn about sex ed from the perspective of a veteran teacher, curriculum director, and principal in the Boston public schools for 32 years. Kim Marshall will describe his comprehensive, 12-lesson, “abstinence-plus” sex education curriculum and demonstrate the use of “clickers” that allow students to respond anonymously to factual and values questions.
MID-AFTERNOON WORKSHOPS – 12:45-1:45
Using Technology to Promote Sexual Health: Results of Focus Groups with Teens and Parents – Jennifer Johnsen, MPH, Leslie Kantor, MPH & Deborah S. Levine, MSW, MAT
This workshop will present the findings of a series of focus groups in select U.S. cities with African-American and Latino adolescents and parents that explored their use of online and mobile technologies, with a special focus on how they might use these technologies to get information about sexual health and relationships.
ABC’s of Breast Health Education – Lizbeth Cruz & Robin Slaw
Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer for women (that also occurs in men). It is essential for health educators to include breast self awareness education so that learners will understand the importance of prevention and early detection. In this workshop, participants will learn information and techniques to address basic breast health, breast perception, and breast cancer prevention.
Being an LGBT Medical Ally: Fostering an LGBT-Friendly Clinic Environment – Shannon Criniti, MPH
This workshop aims to increase participants’ familiarity and comfort with discussing LGBT health concerns. It will suggest tips and strategies to create a safe and welcoming clinic space for LGBT patients. Ideal for participants who work in a medical/health setting, or train employees who do.
Culture, Stereotypes and Sexual & Reproductive Health – Vivian Cortés, MPH
Understanding the significant roles cultures and stereotypes play in sexual and reproductive health education. Through interactive discussion and activities, this workshop will highlight both the strengths and limitations of cultural diversity within sexual health education.
Let’s Get Political: How to Fight for Sex Education in the Public Schools – Martha R. Roper, MA & Peter C. Scales, Ph. D.
Historical arguments against sex education in public schools are heating up again as political candidates line up for the 2012 elections. This workshop will describe the battle for sex education and give participants time to prepare and practice their own strategies to get more involved in local or national school sex education.
Sex & Nature: Lessons on Diversity from Animal Sexual Behavior – Marlene Pray, MEd
An engaging, provocative and entertaining workshop highlighting some of the diverse, magnificent and at times disturbing sexual behaviors of various animals (and even a few plants). Add fun and factual information to your education repertoire as we explore sexual behavior in the animal kingdom!
“Was It Good for You?” – Evaluating Your Sexuality Education Program – Kurt Conklin, MPH, MCHES
Sexuality education is scrutinized more than perhaps any other discipline for evidence of effectiveness. What are the techniques that get us the evidence, and what is your fluency in “EvalSpeak”? This interactive session will strengthen your mastery of evaluation as a routine part of sexuality education.
AFTERNOON WORKSHOPS – 2:00-3:00
Daring to Improve the Gold Standard: OWL 2.0 – Melanie Davis, EdD, CSE & Judith Frediani
Our Whole Lives Lifespan Sexuality Education, Grades 7-9, set the standard for comprehensive curricula upon its release in 1999. OWL 7-9 (2nd ed.) will be published in 2012, and its developmental editors will share the rewards and challenges of tackling revising this revered curriculum and will discuss exciting new program content.
A Thin Glass Slide: Balancing Autonomy and Prevention – Elizabeth Boskey
Pap smears are often required to access hormonal contraception, even though they are not medically necessary. Is this justified by the benefits to the public’s health, or does it trample on women’s autonomy? We will explore the risks and benefits of cervical testing and its effects on sexual health care.
“I Now Pronounce You Husband and…Husband?”: Activities to Reflect on Marriage Equality – Connie Bonillas, EdD
This activity is designed to increase students’ knowledge of the history of marriage in U.S., as well as to enable instructors to help students reflect on their attitudes about legally recognizing same sex couples by participating in a forced-choice group activity. This lesson is designed to be used as a companion piece to a more information-based presentation on sexual orientations and/or relationships.
Usted Tiene Mas Que La Manana Siguiente: An Interdepartmental Education Marketing Campaign for the Latina Community in an Urban Setting – Jennifer R. Miller
As reproductive health care providers are being forced to cut costs, the need to synthesize services is greater than ever. This workshop will not only encourage participants to consider providing integrated and interdepartmental programs, but also provide creative ways to engage diverse communities.
Reproductive Health, Adolescents, and Technology: The Good, the Bad, and the Worse – Pascale Saintonge, M.S.
An in-depth look into how technology has changed the lives of adolescents in the last 10 years as it relates to reproductive health. From social networking to readily available porn, what impact has this had on our youth?
Beyond Using the Buddy System: Teaching About Sexual Assault – Holly Moyseenko Kossover
Talking about sexual assault can be challenging for many people. It is difficult to gather data on a topic that is often not reported, but is commonly noted that between 1 in 3 or 1 in 4 females have been survivors of sexual assault, and as many as 1 in 7 males. This workshop will help educators discover new ways to improve their knowledge base, to educate, and to talk about sexual assault both in and out of the classroom.
Sex and Happiness – Molly Stranahan, Psy.D. & Bill Taverner, M.A., CSE
This workshop will differentiate happiness from pleasure and present factors and practices that lead to true happiness. Participants and presenters will then collaborate to incorporate what is known about increasing your happiness into lessons educators can use in their sexuality education programs.
