Kicking Off Our 20th Year Together

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The People Behind 20 Years of Impact

In January, the Healthy Futures of Texas (HFTX) team came together in San Antonio for our annual Town Hall, an opportunity to pause, reconnect, and reflect on the work that brings us together. This year’s gathering was especially meaningful as it marked the beginning of our 20th anniversary celebration. For two decades, Healthy Futures has been driven by people who are deeply committed to improving the health and well-being of Texans. This moment reminded us that behind every program, partnership, and outcome is a dedicated team working across the state.

As we step into this milestone year, we’re energized by where we’ve been and inspired by what’s ahead.

community partnerships

HFTX continues a longstanding partnership with Del Rio ISD, one that began in 2015 as part of our evaluation of the Big Decisions program and has grown over more than a decade of collaboration.

Most recently, we trained 22 counselors and nurses from Del Rio ISD using On My Way, our puberty curriculum designed for students in grades 4–6. The training focused on responding to trauma in the classroom and building puberty education spaces that are as comfortable and supportive as possible for students. For more information about On My Way, contact [email protected].

tools for impact

What’s New in HFTX Classroom

Through HFTX Classroom, Healthy Futures offers practical, on-demand learning designed to support educators and health professionals navigating complex conversations in health education spaces.

One of our most popular modules, Responding to Questions, helps educators confidently address questions from students and parents, understand what’s appropriate to answer, and know when to involve caregivers. To kick off 2026, we’re offering $26 off this module with code Questions26. Register here.

We’re excited to share that our HFTX Classroom modules are approved for Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) and Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES) continuing education credits. Explore all courses here.

visit hftx classroom

Pride Guide to STIs: Now Available in Spanish

The Pride Guide to STIs is a free online resource designed to help young adults learn how to protect themselves from sexually transmitted infections, primarily for use in medical clinic settings. The updated site now includes a Spanish-language version, expanding access to this trusted information.

Check it out, and share!

research & data

New data show that Dallas County has the highest overall teen birth rate among the 50 U.S. counties with populations of at least one million. High rates of child poverty and low insurance coverage continue to shape health outcomes for young people across the county.

At HFTX, we use data to inform prevention strategies, strengthen partnerships, and advance solutions where the need is greatest.

As a reminder, HFTX has recently updated and expanded its online data resources to support communities, educators, and advocates. These tools include our interactive Teen Birth Explorer, the Texas Adolescent Health Report, county-level fact sheets for nearly 50 Texas counties, and a regional fact sheet for the Rio Grande Valley. Explore our sexual health data here.

in the news

Artificial intelligence is increasingly shaping how Texas teens learn about sex and relationships, often faster than many adults realize. At the same time, the state continues to face persistent youth sexual health challenges, including high teen birth rates and rising rates of sexually transmitted infections.

In a recent op-ed published in The Dallas Morning News, Ginger Mullaney, CEO of HFTX, outlines why ethical and medically accurate information is critical as young people navigate AI and other digital tools, and why adults need better resources to support them.

Read the op-ed in The Dallas Morning News (subscription may be required), or access the full article via a publicly available PDF.

upcoming events

The 11th Annual Healthy Futures of Texas Student Film Contest will take place on April 19, 2026, bringing together student creativity, storytelling, and youth voices from across Texas.

This year’s prompt invites students to explore how their digital lives shape their real-world relationships. Through short films, students reflect on identity, connection, and the impact of technology on how they relate to others.

For students, educators, and families: Learn more about the contest, key dates, and how to participate. We encourage educators, parents, and community partners to help spread the word and support students in sharing their stories. Download and share the flyer.

For partners and supporters: Explore sponsorship opportunities here and help amplify youth voices across Texas.

learn more on our website

Planning for the Healthy Futures of Texas Symposium is well underway. Our featured speakers and schedule-at-a-glance are now live.

This year’s featured speakers bring nationally recognized expertise and real-world insight to conversations on adolescent and women’s sexual and reproductive health.

Explore the schedule here and learn more about this year’s featured speakers as you start planning your experience.

HFTX is excited to host the first-ever El Paso Adolescent Health Summit in collaboration with Project Vida. The Summit will take place on June 25–26, 2026, at the Socorro ISD District Service Center in El Paso.

This convening will bring together educators, health professionals, and community leaders to support the health and well-being of young people in El Paso and the surrounding border region, centering local voices and priorities.

Stay tuned for more details. Interested in joining the planning committee or learning more about the Summit? Email [email protected].

Healthy Futures of Texas

Headquarters:
2300 W. Commerce Street, Ste. 212
San Antonio, Texas 78207

Dallas Office:
2816 Swiss Ave.
Dallas, Texas 75204

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