HANO: 'Let’s Talk about Sex' to explore teen intimacy

'Let’s Talk about Sex' to explore teen intimacy

A two-day conference on teen intimacy, "Let's Talk about Sex," will convene from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 20 and 21 at the Japanese Cultural Center, 2454 South Beretania St., Honolulu. The conference is designed for social workers, counselors, physicians, psychologists, teachers and teen service providers to share information on the challenges of presenting safe choices to teens seeking intimacy, teen parent issues, media portrayal of teen sexuality and new clinical information on these topics.

Speakers will include Douglas Kirby, on what works in teen sex education; Cynthia Rosengard on how teens make sexual decisions and HIV/STI prevention interventions; Sharon Lamb on media and how perceptions can affect sexuality and aggression; Barbara Kemp Huberman and Tom Klaus on teen sexuality and pregnancy prevention; and 20 local experts on what works in Hawai‘i.

For information and early bird registration contact info@hmhb-hawaii.org or (808) 951-5805 or click here to download a registration form.

In addition, Hawai‘i Youth Services Network will present two pre-conference workshops on Sept. 19 at the Japanese Cultural Center, Manoa Grand Ballroom, 2454 South Beretania St., Honolulu.

“Seventeen Characteristics of Effective Programs” will be presented by Douglas Kirby, senior researcher at ETR Associates in Scotts Valley, Calif., who has done extensive research on teen pregnancy, HIV and STD programs. Kirby has identified three categories of characteristics shared by the most effective curriculum-based programs. Find out what is effective in designing and implementing effective programs and how you can identify programs that include these characteristics.
“Managing Controversy in Teen Pregnancy Prevention” will feature presenters Barbara Huberman, director of training and education, and Tom Klaus, program director for teen pregnancy prevention, for Advocates for Youth of Washington, D.C. Controversy tends to conjure only negative imagines and fears, but it can be positive – especially when reframed as a type of conversation that facilitates change. Participants will rethink common notions about controversy and learn strategies and skills for managing controversy for positive and constructive outcomes. The session will feature an interactive, fun "simu-learn" experience for participants.

Cost for each half-day workshop is $50, $100 to attend both. Click here for the registration form on the Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition of Hawaii web site.

Co-sponsors are Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition of Hawaii, Hawaii Youth Services Network, Hawaii State Department of Health Maternal and Child Health Branch, HMSA Foundation, the Departments of Pediatrics and Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women’s Health of the John A. Burns School of Medicine-University of Hawaii.