For additional resources on these topics and others related to school health
education and services,visit the School Health Program Web site at
Quote to Note:
“Confidence, like art, never comes from having
all the answers;it comes from being open to all the questions.” Earl Gray Stevens
Conferences, Trainings and Professional Development:
Prevent Child Abuse Trainings – Various Dates
Prevent Child Abuse Texas requests your assistance in notifying child care coordinators and facilities ofa training program for child-care providers and teachers that will reduce the number of children needlessly suffering from abuse. For cities, dates of trainings and to register, go to
Summer Safety – Child Injury Prevention Webcast – June 16, 2009
Hosted by the YMCA of the USA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Injury Center,this live Webcast will help frame the problem of child injury, share resources and ways to partner with other organizations. Click here to register for the Webcast:
Counseling and Mental Health Services:
When Girls Don't Graduate, We All Fail: A Call to Improve High School Graduation Rates for Girls
The National Women’s Law Center's groundbreaking report found that one in four girls drops out of school, and that the numbers are even worse for girls of color.The web site includes other recommendations on how schools can help, resources, including fact sheets on: How to Keep Girls in School: Recommendations to Address the Dropout Crisis; Combating sexual harassment in schools; providing better support for pregnant and parenting students; ensuring equal access for girls to career and technical education classes; ensuring equal access for girls to after-school programs, including athletics programs. To read the report, go to
Program helps students deal with effects of binge drinking
A college program meant to prevent student illness or death due to binge drinking has drawn interest from more than 100 high-school and college campuses nationwide. The program trains students to identify alcohol poisoning and administer basic first aid, including calling for help and performing CPR. Read about it at
Research: Teens who stay up late are at higher risk for depression
Teens whose parents let them stay up after midnight on weeknights have a much higher chance of being depressed or suicidal than teens whose parents enforce an earlier bedtime, says research being presented this week at a national sleep conference. Read more at
Health Services:
Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance, 2007 – Released: 2009
The CDC provides an annual report of statistics and trends for sexually transmitted diseases in the United States through 2007, including about 19 million cases a year. Half of the cases are among people ages 15 to 24 and represent the three "reportable" STDS -- gonorrhea, chlamydia and syphilis. For complete reports, go to
Health Education:
Report Details Trends in Adolescent Inhalant Use from 2002 to 2007.
This NSDUH Report examines trends in the use, dependence or abuse, and initiation of inhalants among adolescents (i.e., youths aged 12 to 17). The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) defines inhalants as "liquids, sprays and gases that people sniff or inhale to get high or to make them feel good." NSDUH collects data not only about the use of any inhalant, but also about the use of specific types of inhalants. Respondents who used inhalants were asked when they first used them, and responses to this question were used to identify persons who had initiated use in the 12 months before the survey. For the complete report visit:
New Adolescent Reproductive Health Web Page
TheCDC's Division of Reproductive Health has added a new Web page on Adolescent Reproductive Health to their Web site. The site focuses on preventing teen pregnancy, as well as creating strong teens and strong communities. To view the site, go to
DSHS Data to Action Update: 2004 and 2005 Teen Birth Fact Sheets and Podcast
The DSHS Office of Program Decision Support announces the posting of the 2004 and 2005Teen Birth Fact Sheets. The fact sheets provide data and information related to births to adolescents age 15-17 in Texas and associated birth outcomes.Also included is a podcast on the website that provides some basic information about the fact sheets and how to interpret the data. Access the fact sheets at
Contact Rachel Samsel, State Adolescent Health Coordinator, with any questions at .
Issue in Brief: Youth Development and Teen Pregnancy, STI and HIV Prevention
This report highlights the role of Youth Development in prevention of teen pregnancy, STIs and HIV. In promoting healthy adolescent sexual development, effective teen pregnancy prevention and/or support for pregnant and parenting, the focus should expand beyond basic reproductive health issues. Young people do not develop in a vacuum and are heavily influenced by their surrounding environments. Their health, safety, and well being intersect with their family life, school environment, and community stability, as well as access to services and supports; and disparities across race/ethnicity and socio-economic lines persist. Access the report at
Nutrition Services and Education:
Report: "Recession obesity" a concern for U.S. children
U.S. children might be at risk for recession-related obesity as families eat more inexpensive fast food that is high in carbohydrates and sugar, the new Child Well-Being Index report says. The report also warns of behavioral problems and long-lasting effects from the recession if steps aren't taken to support families and strengthen early childhood education. Read more at this CBS site: and this Yahoo site:
Parent and Community Involvement:
Anti-drug Media Campaign Encourages Parents to Talk to Teens about Celebrating Prom and Graduation without Drugs and Alcohol
Recent data show that nearly 30% of parents last year used special occasions including prom and graduation, as an opportunity to address drug and alcohol use with their teens. Having those conversations is more critical than ever in light of the fact that the latest analysis from the University of Mississippi's Potency Monitoring Project shows the average amount of THC - the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana - has reached a new high of 10.1 percent and marijuana is currently the most widely used illicit drug among teens.Conversation starters to help parents talk to their teens about often uncomfortable topics can be found at Parents can also learn more facts about marijuana, and how to talk to teens about this drug specifically, at
Grad Nation: A Guidebook to Help Communities Tackle the Dropout Crisis – Released: 2009
America's Promise Alliance recently commissioned Grad Nation, a new tool comprising the best evidence-based practices for keeping young people in school paired with suggestions for effectively preparing them for life after high school. To access the tool, go to
Safe and Healthy School Environment:
The Verizon Foundation Community Investments Grants – Deadline: October 31, 2009
The Verizon Foundation seeks to fund projects that work to increase literacy and educational achievement, prevent domestic violence, and achieve and sustain health and safety in communities. Selected applicants will receive funding ranging from $25.00 to $4,500,000.00. Eligible applicants include, but are not limited to, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations and elementary and secondary schools (public and private) that are registered with the National Center for Education Statistics.For information and to apply contact
Sun Safety School Policy
A sun safety school policy covering sun protection for students and employees can significantly reduce skin cancer risk, especially when the policy is comprehensive and it strongly encourages sun-safe behaviors. To access the policy and more, go to
Study: Gene tied to aggression, gang membership
Boys who have a so-called "warrior gene" are more likely to join gangs and also more likely to be among the most violent members to use weapons, a new study finds. Read about it at
Comprehensive Policies, Studies and Research and Resources:
Racial Equity Tools – Released: 2009
Racial Equity Tools is a new web site developed by The Center for Assessment and Policy Development and MP Associates and designed for people and groups across sectors and at all levels in the work of promoting racial equity. It is intended to help encourage and support transformative change withincommunities, organizations, systems and individuals. It includes more than 400 resources and links to help people understand, talk about and act intentionally and effectively to advance racial equity. There are also tips, reflection questions and a glossary of important terms. To access the tools, go to
New Data on Key Indicators of Children’s Health
The National Survey of Children's Health 2007 examines the physical and emotional health of children and adolescents from birth through age 17. The survey was conducted in 2007 as part of the State and Local Area Integrated Telephone Survey by the National Center for Health Statistics in collaboration with the Maternal and Child Health Bureau's Office of Data and Program Development. The 2007 survey includes new indicators of children's well-being under the following topics: physical and dental health, emotional and mental health, health insurance coverage, health care access and quality, community and school activities, family and health activities, and neighborhood safety and support. Access the 2007 dataset, state profiles (including 2007 vs. 2003 profile comparison), state ranking maps, help for data users and other resources at
Research Brief on Adolescents and Electronic Media
This Child Trends research brief, Adolescents and Electronic Media: Growing Up Plugged In,provides a concise overview of research relating electronic media to the health, social development, and educational outcomes of adolescents. To access the brief, go to
Ten Strategies for School Administratorsthat Foster Connection to School
To view the strategies to help you lead and manageschool connectedness and meaningful student participation, go to
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External links to other sites appearing in the Friday Beat are intended to be informational and do not represent an endorsement by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). These sites may also not be accessible to people with disabilities. External email links are provided to you as a courtesy. Please be advised that you are not emailing the DSHS and DSHS policies do not apply should you choose to correspond. For information about any of the programs listed, contact the sponsoring organization directly. For comments or questions about the Friday Beat, contact Ellen Smithat (512) 458-7111 ext. 2140 or by email at . Copyright free. Permission granted to forward or make copies as needed.
Friday Beat – June 12, 20091