As you may know, the President has signed a rapid series of executive orders, many of which impact adolescent health. The administration also issued and then rescinded an order freezing a huge swath of federal funds, including grant funds that flow to Healthy Futures. For those in the nonprofit and youth health space, it has been a chaotic and concerning week. 

The recent orders are broad in scope, and at this time, it is not clear what will happen next and which grants and programs these orders will impact. Depending on what direction the administration takes next, Healthy Futures could lose critical federal funding.  

Healthy Futures of Texas is a nonpartisan organization that has been delivering high-quality, evidence-based health education to youth and parents across the state for nearly 20 years, across many administrations. Our common-ground approach ensures all Texans have access to the sexual health education they need.

Texas already faces major challenges—our state has the 8th highest rate of teen birth in the U.S. and nearly a quarter of all congenital syphilis cases nationwide. Federal funding has allowed us to engage with over 28,000 youth directly, reach more than 850,000 youth indirectly, and train nearly 1,700 professionals since 2023.

We will continue this important work, ensuring Texas families have the tools to make informed decisions. We appreciate your partnership in helping us equip young people with the knowledge and resources they deserve. 

The 89th legislative session is underway and will run through early June. Healthy Futures is advocating for policy priorities that will help ensure that Texas youth have access to the information and health care that they need to stay safe and healthy. Our priorities include the following: 

• HB 531 by Rep. Howard would add birth control as a covered benefit in the Children’s Health Insurance Program
• HB 2159 by Rep. Gamez would allow teen parents to consent to health care.
• HB 2104 by Rep. Plesa and the companion bill SB 939 by Sen. West would require SHACS to hold a seat for students.
• We will also advocate to ensure that sexual health education remains accessible to young people, and health data remain available for youth-serving professionals. 

Our online bill tracker shows legislation that we’re closely monitoring. 

TeensDaySA is back for its third year! This annual youth-led event brings together young people from across San Antonio to learn, grow, and gain the tools they need to thrive. This year’s summit will introduce two exciting new focus areas—leadership skills and financial literacy—helping youth take control of their future. Key topics from previous years, including mental health, sexual health, physical health, and civic engagement, will also be featured. Attendees can connect with local youth-serving organizations and explore ways to get involved in their communities.

Organized by Healthy Futures of Texas and the San Antonio Pod, a project of the Texas Youth Action Network, in collaboration with over ten local organizations, TeensDaySA empowers youth and promotes positive development. Don’t miss this opportunity—please share with your network to help spread the word!

Join us at the Healthy Futures of Texas 14th Annual Symposium in Dallas, Texas, where professionals from across Texas will come together to explore innovative practices in adolescent and women's health, learn from experts in the field, and collaborate for meaningful change.

The Symposium will be offered in-person only from April 28-April 30, 2025, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Campbell Center in Dallas, Texas, with one-day of virtual programming scheduled for May 1, 2025.

Continuing education in multiple disciplines will be available. 

Calling all Parents and Caregivers! Are you a parent or caregiver of a teen or young adult (ages 13–24)? We’re looking for participants to pilot our revised Key Conversations program, designed to support open and honest conversations with your child.

Young people’s world is constantly evolving—and you play a crucial role in how they navigate it. These pilot sessions will provide tools to talk about relationships, sexual health, and accessing care to prevent unplanned pregnancy and STIs.

Some pilot events may offer incentives! Sign up to learn more. Parents working in public health or related fields are also welcome.

We are excited to announce the launch of our new STI data explorer! This interactive online tool shows county-level STI data for both young adults and the general population. Check out the tool at hftx.org/resources/stidataexplorer.