Adolescence, Sex, and Gender: Resources for Providers

Resources on adolescent development are available throughout the ACT for Youth site, particularly among our publications, online presentations, and in the Positive Youth Development Resource Manual. Resources specific to sexual health and gender are listed below.

Definition of Sexual Health

Definition of Sexual Health poster (pdf): Based on the work of the NYS Department of Health Adolescent Sexual Health Work Group, this poster offers a positive approach to sexual health that emphasizes the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that young people—and all of us—need to maintain sexual health.

Reflections on Sexual Development: Ritch C. Savin-Williams on taking a positive approach to sexual development.

Publications and Presentations

A New Vision for Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (pdf): Why are teen women in the U.S. eight times more likely to give birth than teens in the Netherlands? In this edition of Research fACTs and Findings, John Santelli and Amy Schalet review historical and cultural contexts—particularly adult attitudes toward adolescent sexuality—to point us toward healthier outcomes in the United States.

Adolescents and Risk: Helping Young People Make Better Choices (pdf): Drawing on the research of Valerie Reyna and colleagues, this article explores how adolescents consider risk, offering suggestions for new intervention strategies.

Adolescent Romantic Relationships (pdf): This article discusses the importance of romantic relationships to youth and youth development, including the benefits of healthy relationships, the risks romantic relationships may pose to adolescents, and the need for adults to support young people in developing healthy relationships.

Adolescent STI/HIV Prevention Programs: What Works for Teens? (pdf): In this edition of Research fACTs and Findings, Jessica M. Sales and Ralph J. DiClemente of Emory University offer strategies based on their systematic review of STI/HIV prevention programs.

Growing Up Transgender: Research and Theory (pdf): This issue of Research fACTs and Findings introduces current research and theory on transgender identity formation.

Growing Up Transgender: Safety and Resilience (pdf): This article provides an introduction to the pressures trans youth face each day, and suggests ways to create environments that encourage resilience for trans youth.

Teen Dating Violence (pdf): This article summarizes research on the scope of the problem, the role of gender, risk factors for victimization and perpetration, and prevention strategies.

Using Media and Technology to Improve Sexual Health Outcomes for Youth: This narrated powerpoint by Alwyn Cohall, MD, demonstrates that in clinical practice, using youth-friendly technology can lead to far better outcomes for adolescent sexual health.

Using New Media to Promote Adolescent Sexual Health (pdf): This edition of prACTice Matters describes popular technologies and provides examples of how they are being used to promote sexual health. Author Deb Levine directs ISIS, Inc. (Internet Sexuality Information Services).

Evidence Based Programming

Evidence-Based Programming and Adaptation: This page includes a presentation on the topic as well as a worksheet to aid in selection of evidence-based programming and a publication that will help providers think through adaptation of EBPs.

Planning for Evidence-Based Programming: This page features a brief presentation by Jutta Dotterweich on the Promoting Science-Based Approaches - Getting to Outcomes (PSBA-GTO) framework. PSBA-GTO offers communities a comprehensive planning process for positive outcomes in adolescent sexual health.

Comprehensive Community Assessment: A thorough community needs and resources assessment is a research and planning activity that helps communities develop successful adolescent pregnancy and STD/HIV prevention strategies. This page offers an overview of the process and links to resources, and features a presentation by Robert Francis on Community Resources Assessment.

Adolescent Sexual Health Symposium

Resources from the Adolescent Sexual Health Symposium: In February, 2009, at the Cornell Club in New York City, the ACT for Youth Center of Excellence convened a Symposium on Adolescent Sexual Health. An expert panel shared perspectives and engaged in dialogue with invited stakeholders, including a youth panel, New York State Department of Health policymakers, longtime practitioners, emerging leaders, and health advocates. This page features presentation slides, proceedings, and additional materials recommended by the expert panel.

Links

Understanding Transgender: ACT for Youth compiled these links to help those who work with youth understand the issues trans youth face, and to make it easier to connect trans youth to resources. To suggest links, email act4youth@cornell.edu.

ACT for Youth Update

ACT for Youth sends out periodic email updates, including professional development opportunities, positive youth development and adolescent sexual health resources, youth opportunities, and grants. The Update appears 1-2 times each month. To join the list, email act4youth@cornell.edu and ask to be added to the ACT for Youth Update list.

ACT Youth Network

New York State youth are invited to check out our state-wide youth network to connect with others working for community change. The new ACT Youth Network site includes sexual health pages and more: www.nysyouth.net.