Culturally-relevant Sexual Health Education for All |
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Native youth are ready and willing to discuss sensitive topics, like sexual and reproductive health, but many adults don't feel prepared. Why is that? For some, there is an intergenerational gap of learning and talking about these topics. Thankfully, HealthyNativeYouth.org provides culturally-relevant health promotion curricula & resources to fill the gaps for a positive learning experience. Today, Native youth are taking the conversation back!
The February ‘sexual health education for all’ eNewsletter spotlights HNY website resources, Text4SexEd, and our “Culture is Power” Community of Practice!
Memory Reflection Activity
- How old were you when you first learned about sex?
- Where did you learn about it?
- What was your sexual health education experience like for you?
- How did it make you feel?
- What would you like youth’s sex ed experience to be like today?
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Healthy Native Youth Website Spotlights |
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Curriculum Spotlight:
Native VOICES - An Evidence-Based HIV/STI Prevention Intervention for Native youth
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Native VOICES was the first Evidence-Based Intervention recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for preventing HIV and other STDs among American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) youth.
The Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board partnered in a research study with nine tribes across the U.S. to evaluate the effectiveness of the Native VOICES intervention among 800 AI/AN youth, 15 to 24 years old. The implementation sites included schools, youth centers, and tribal centers. The intervention produced significant improvements in STD knowledge, attitudes towards condoms and dental dams, and confidence in use.
Youth who watched the video expressed high levels of satisfaction with it, and found the characters, scenes, and situations realistic.
“Overall, this study points to the need for interventions that specifically address the behaviors, social and sexual contexts, and risk perceptions of AI/AN emerging adults, an age group for whom few culturally relevant sexual health interventions exist.
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Native VOICES Curriculum
Free Curriculum and No Formal Training Needed
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The Native VOICES 23-minute video is designed to encourage condom use and HIV/STI testing among heterosexual, and Two Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer + (2SLGBTQ+), Native youth and young adults (ages: 15-24 years old). The video includes demonstrations of how to negotiate condom use with a partner, and stresses the importance of talking with partners about sexually transmitted infections.
Native VOICES User’s Guide offers three flexible options for implementation. Explore and implement this evidence-based practice in your community where everyone learns!
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Implementation Toolbox:
Lesson Reflection Log Template
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Now that your Implementation Action Plan is ready, and you are gearing up to start your program, visit the HNY Implementation Toolbox and click on the Implement Phase. You will want to track your implementation journey with a Lesson Reflection Log to make note of what worked and what to tweak the next time. Visit the Implement Phase for tips, tools and ready-to-use templates.
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Text Message Campaign:
Text 4 Sex Ed - Encourage Youth to Subscribe
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Our Texting 4 Sex Ed service improved attitudes, intention, and behavior among American Indian & Alaska Native Youth. The Text4SexEd study included 408 Native participants 15-to-24 years old.
To enhance sexual health education at home, encourage Native youth & young adults to text the word ‘SEX’ to 94449. It is an effective intervention that is private, confidential, convenient and FUN!
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Lesson Enhancements for Native Youth |
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Health Promotion Websites |
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We R Native and iKnowMine are two websites to bookmark! Check out some highlights as resources on the topics of sexual and reproductive health for youth, educators and community. |
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We would like to spotlight articles written by Native college student Stephanie Paz (She/her - Tigua Indian of Ysleta del Sur Pueblo).
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For Alaskan Natives: iknowmine.org
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Order Get Yourself Tested Materials - FREE!
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Get Yourself Tested (GYT) – The GYT youth-friendly campaign encourages young people to spark conversations around sexual health topics encouraging getting tested and treated for HIV and STDs to protect their health and the health of their partners.
To request materials, contact: Washington Youth Sexual Health (WYSH) Project Manager, Celena J. Ghost Dog.
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New Year Theme: Part II – Take the Power Back!
Coming Up: Culture is Power!
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Our relationships and cultural experiences are a keystone to our adolescent health programming. Join us on February 8th at 10 AM PST to get some tips for culture integration and get inspired!
Who Should Attend? Tribal health educators, teachers, parents, prevention specialists; people who share a commitment for improving the lives of Native youth.
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In Case You Missed It in January:
Technology is Power
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Tune into the convo about digital wellness to help youth and your relatives find balance, get the jest of social media algorithms and how you can disrupt them, as well as some practical digital promotion resources for your communities like; I Know Mine, I Want the Kit, We R Native’s Ask Your Relative Q&A service, and We R Healers Inspire campaign.
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Project Red Talon National Network |
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Partners working together to end HIV/AIDS, STI and viral Hepatitis in Indian Country & Alaska |
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Healthy Native Youth is working with a network of partners to provide outreach, education, and technical assistance to tribes in their regions to disseminate best practices to improve HIV/AIDS, STI, viral Hepatitis, and Substance Use Disorder prevention and care for high-risk American Indian/Alaska Natives including youth and young adults.
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Reach out to a Project Red Talon regional partner near you and make a connection to end HIV/AIDS/ STIs/HCV in our native communities. Click to learn more about each of us and how we can be of assistance.
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Share the Healthy Native Youth Movement!
Like, Follow, Subscribe to our Resources
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1. Share this email with your colleagues.
2. Sign up for HNY updates by texting HEALTHY to 94449.
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