August 2021
Back to School Issue
Somehow August arrived even sooner than we anticipated. Is it already time to head back into the classroom? Hard to believe, but yes. This month, we’ve been putting our minds together, thinking about implementing programs, designing self-care routines and COVID-19 community education resources.

Here are several educator resources that we’d
like to share with you.
HNY Resources Spotlight
HNY Virtual Adaptation Guide & Workbook
Getting Ready for Implementation!
Getting ready for back-to-school and planning to implement a sexual health curriculum for native youth? Check out our Virtual Adaptation Guide to get tools and resources to help support getting ready for implementation and beyond! Click on this link - Guide’s Workbook (editable Word doc) to serve as your implementation action planning template to begin the conversation in your local community and amongst your dream team!
Community of Practice (CoP) Recorded Sessions for Implementation Planning
The HNY website is a treasure trove of resources! Check out our CoP Recorded Sessions Gallery to learn from those who have implemented! Here is a list of recommended CoPs to watch to get motivated!
Community of Practice 2021-2022
The popular monthly CoP is on a much deserved August recess! However, the CoP will resume in September, kicking off the 4th year on September 8th at 10 AM PDT (Topic: Back-to-School - Intentional Balance). The return to school is right around the corner. There will be many emotions to navigate as an educator and learning to seek intentional balance are foundational for self-care. Join us to learn tips! 

In the interim, we encourage you this month of August to view our previously recorded sessions.

Back to School Tools and Planning Resources
HNY Implementation Toolbox
Gather. Choose. Prepare. Implement. Grow
Veteran HNY educators would tell you that there are phases to implementing a sexual health curriculum in their local community. They are: Gather, Choose, Prepare, Implement and Grow. An adolescent health program, like a recipe from a cookbook, needs many ingredients at different times in order to all come together to be served with thoughtfulness and love. The ultimate teen compliment -- “French Kiss!” – means “Perfect!” signaling to have another go of it!

There are many HNY cookbooks with recipes in the website portal with a helpful comparison tool widget! Here are some helpful ingredients for your educator kitchen! Voilà!
 
Resources for Parents and Caring Adults
Those same HNY veteran educators would tell you that open communication with caregivers, youth and community members is key to building trust, gaining support, and increasing program transparency. Find this helpful resource list for all adults who engage youth and young adults.



COVID-19 and Youth – Community Messaging
We are still in the midst of a global pandemic and conveying COVID-19 (and its variants) factual information to youth and young adults are vitally important as students begin to return to school. Here is a list of teen-friendly resources to share with your teens and young adults.





Back to School Self Care Planning
Once again, our HNY educators who have implemented in their local communities would tell you that one thing they needed to plan for in hindsight was a self-care plan for themselves as the implementation experience was not only transforming for youth but for themselves as well. They did not realize the power of emotion from youth lived experiences that were shared but how it affected them too. Here are some planning tools for you and your youth. 
 

Two Spirit & LGBTQ+ Health
New Two Spirit & LGBTQ+ website - Paths (Re)membered.org 
A part of the HNY adolescent health family is the Paths (Re)mebered Project housed at the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board. The Paths (Re)Membered Project centers the Two Spirit and LGBTQ+ community–its strengths, resiliencies, and histories—in a collective movement toward health equity. A beautiful website that is a must have ingredient for your educator kitchen! 
Community Building through Digital Media
The Paths (Re)membered Project utilizes digital media as a way to build relations and make connections that has will hopefully lead to future work with tribes and individuals. Check their platforms out and see or hear the range of topics from our Two Spirit and LGBTQ+ relatives. 
Alaska Native News and Resources
COVID-19 Vaccine Promotion Materials in Eight different Alaska Native languages
(Translation) “I want us to be among each other, that is why I got the shot. I love the people I am with.” (Tlingit)
As we prepare for the school year, many of us are faced with the challenge of the unknown. Over the past year, Native communities have learned that we excel in our capacity to care for each other and ensure equitable access to trustworthy information to make informed decisions. A partnership, including Alaska statewide and grassroots entities, have teamed up with Alaska Native language experts to offer COVID-19 vaccine promotion materials in eight different Alaska Native languages.

Prepare your community for the school year by offering culturally relevant materials that promote health and quality of life.

Materials available in: Ahtna, Gwichyaa Zhee Gwich’in (Dinjii Zhuh K’yaa), Denaakk’e (Koyukon Athabascan), Yugtun/Cugtun (Yup’ik/Cup’ik), Neets’aii Gwich’in (Dinjii Zhuh K’yaa), Lingit (Tlingit), and Inupiaqtun (Inupiaq). Types of COVID-19 vaccine promotional materials available: pop sockets, tote bags, stickers, flyers and more.

For more information, including how to order materials for your community, please click here.
HNY Partner Spotlight
American Indian College Fund
The American Indian College Fund invests in Native students and tribal college education to transform lives and communities. Founded in 1989, the American Indian College Fund is the nation’s largest Native-run charity supporting Native student access to higher education. The College Fund believes “Education is the answer” and provides American Indian and Alaska Native students with scholarships and program support, ensuring they have the tools to graduate and succeed in their careers. View their student resource page here.
Native Pathways
The College Fund has a thorough inventory of resources to assist students in setting their sights on college – what to expect and how to prepare. It is always good to be prepared in the event you may be that one person who influences a youth to consider higher education. Native Pathways is a place to start! We encourage you to check out the following resources:

Student Coaching Available
HNY and We R Native presented at the Native Pathways 2021 Virtual Summer of Success Virtual Camp and know there are dedicated staffers who are eager to work with Native youth and young adults. We are proud to be an ally of the American Indian College Fund! Connect with them at nativepathways@collegefund.org
News & Opportunities
I Strengthen My Nation Contest for Youth and Youth Groups
The National Institute on Drug Abuse is hosting two challenges to recognize the inherent strengths and resilience of Indigenous culture that protects against substance misuse.

#1 Art Challenge: Youth are invited to submit original art and describe how it depicts resilience against substance misuse.

#2 Community Project: Youth are invited to plan a project that would improve resilience against substance misuse with a video description. View the submissions gallery by clicking here.
Washington Youth Sexual Health Webpage & Youth Survey for WA State Native Youth
Visit our WYSH (Washington Youth Sexual Health) webpage for more info about our project, partnerships, resources, and sexual health messaging download-ables! 
WYSH Youth Survey
(For Washington State Native Youth)
The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) and Department of Health (DOH) is doing a survey to learn about young people who may or may not be getting sex education or using sexual health services. You have important information that can help us learn about where adults should focus their efforts to help youth find and access needed services! To take the anonymous online survey you must live within Washington state, and be 13-20 years old. Enter a lottery drawing to win a $20 gift card for answering the Q’s.

To take the survey, scan the QR code or click HERE.

THRIVE 2021
This past June, the THRIVE Project virtually hosted it’s 10th Annual THRIVE Youth Conference! It was a wonderful week full of incredible guest speakers and meaningful workshops.

Check out the full article on pages 24-25 in the NPAIHB Health News & Notes.

FCC Emergency Connectivity Fund Program for Schools and Libraries including Tribal Libraries
If appropriate, apply for the Emergency Connectivity Fund as it has been federally established to help schools and libraries keep students, staff, and patrons connected during the COVID-19 health emergency.
Coming Up in September
September Themes:
Sexual Health and Suicide Prevention 
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