Ghoulish Goodies: October Updates You’ll Love

Celebrating Ana Belén's Well-Deserved Promotion!

We are thrilled to announce that Ana Belén, our dedicated Program Coordinator, has been promoted to Program Manager for the Texas is Ready Program! 🎉

Ana Belén has been a vital part of our team, collaborating with both the Policy and Research and Marketing teams to create valuable District Fact Sheets for our audience. Her passion and commitment have also led to significant updates on the Texas is Ready website, ensuring that our resources are more accessible and informative than ever.

We are grateful for Ana Belén's hard work and can't wait to see how she will continue to elevate our mission in her new role. Please join us in congratulating her on this well-deserved promotion! 🌟

Here’s to new beginnings and continued success! Just like Moo Deng explores her surroundings with joy and wonder, may you embrace every opportunity that comes your way!

Share Your District's Sexual Health Education Data Today!

Healthy Futures of Texas is collecting data on sexual health education opt-in rates for the 2023-24 school year, and your district’s input is essential. Your contribution will help us identify trends and better serve students across Texas.

If you have this information, please share it by submitting it through this survey form or emailing the data to Healthy Futures of Texas' Policy and Research Director Jen Biundo at [email protected].

Thank you for your support

Webinar: "Reshaping Conversations: Language Practices, and Strategies for Change"

Effective communication is key to ensuring equitable access to information and resources, particularly when working with young people. In this interactive session, participants will explore strategies to foster respectful, empowering, and non-judgmental communication. Trainers from Healthy Futures of Texas will lead attendees in reflecting on their own language and approaches, while developing practical methods for creating positive and supportive interactions.

Learning Objectives:

-Define respectful communication and its importance.
-Identify common barriers that hinder effective communication.
-Demonstrate the use of empowering language in discussions.
-Identify and apply two strategies for improving communication practices.

Pick a session and register by clicking on the image or button below.

Register

*All sessions are from 12:00 - 1:30pm CST and are eligible for 1.5 hours of continuing education credit for the following disciplines: SW, LPC, CPE, CPH, CHW Uncertified ++

October Webinar: "Puberty Education: Opportunities for Texas Schools and Organizations"

Join us on October 24th from noon to 1 pm CST for an informative webinar with Anthony Betori, Director of Curriculum and Innovation at Healthy Futures of Texas, focused on puberty programs and resources available for young people.

This session will provide an overview of the various programs, as well as the puberty-related TEKS standards in Texas schools. We’ll also address the challenges of evaluating the success of these programs and share strategies for identifying the best options for the youth you work with.

Don’t miss this opportunity to deepen your understanding and support young people's developmental needs!

Meet Anthony!

Anthony Betori is the Director of Curriculum and Innovation at Healthy Futures of Texas, and he holds a Masters in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University completed as a Bloomberg Fellow in Adolescent Health. Anthony grew up in Toledo, Ohio, then studied and lived in Chicago, Illinois for ten years, where his work focused on education, youth empowerment, HIV-related services, and workforce development.

He moved to Texas in 2018, and his current work focuses on innovating new ways to involve young people in advocacy and curriculum development around sex ed and healthcare. He was awarded the 2020 Rising Star award from the Texas Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy and the 2022 SA Light award by the San Antonio Express-News.

Register

November Webinar: "Outreach to the Deaf Immigrant Community"

Join us on November 7th from noon to 1:00 pm CST for an insightful webinar featuring Celena Ponce, ASL Educator and nonprofit founder. This session will focus on best practices for engaging with non-English speaking families, especially those with deaf and hard of hearing children.

We’ll explore the critical issue of language deprivation and how parents' English proficiency affects their children's language development. Additionally, we’ll discuss actionable steps that educators, administrators, and community members can take to enhance communication and support for immigrant families.

This is a valuable opportunity to deepen your understanding and make a positive impact!

Meet Celena!

Celena Ponce is the founder of a nonprofit that supports immigrant families with Deaf and hard of hearing youth. The organization serves families across the United States, currently working with approximately 100 families in 12 different states. Celena is fluent in ASL, Spanish, and English, and is in the process of learning Russian, Somali, and Mexican Sign Language. She also holds a master's degree in electrical engineering and computer science.

Register

Are you a school-based health center? This is for you!

The School-Based Health Alliance (SBHA) is hosting a video competition titled "Unboxing the School-Based Health Center." They are inviting young people and staff from school-based centers to create short videos that showcase their daily experiences. Participants can highlight various aspects, such as attending appointments, engaging in wellness programs, and sharing how these centers have positively impacted their lives.

For more details, click here to learn more about the competition.

Texas is Ready 1:1 Support is Available!

Did you know that Texas is Ready provides direct, one-on-one support to school districts, charters, SHACs, and communities?

Submit this form and let us know how we can support you in implementing high-quality sexual health education.

School District Fact Sheet Webpage

Check out the latest School District Adolescent Sexual Health Fact Sheets, now available on our website. Don't miss out!

Fact Sheets

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Healthy Futures of Texas

2300 W Commerce St #212

San Antonio, TX 78207
[email protected]

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