|
Minnesota Partnership for Adolescent and Young Adult Health |
|
|
View this as a webpage
December 2024
 Minnesota Partnership for Adolescent and Young Adult Health (MNPAH) is an action plan to guide adolescent and young adult health in Minnesota. This collaboratively developed plan was created to motivate, engage, and inspire action. It recognizes the important contributions and amazing ideas that exist across our great state. Each month this newsletter will highlight a priority from the plan and showcase an adolescent health partner in Minnesota.
In this edition
The priorities established by the Partnership help us realize our vision: Minnesota is a place where all young people thrive. Throughout 2024, we featured all ten Partnership priorities.
|
We appreciate the opportunity to feature each of the below partners and thank them for their work uplifting the priorities of the Minnesota Partnership for Adolescent Health.
Resource on pronouns
An important part of creating a supportive environment for youth is understanding – and using appropriately – the terms they use to describe themselves. Find out why using a person’s correct pronouns matter and how to use them appropriately with this Minnesota Department of Health resource from our partners in suicide prevention.
Black youth lead policy demonstration about online safety
Youth in Brooklyn Center and Brooklyn Park are participating in an initiative designed to reimagine the way mental health is addressed in Black communities by centering Black Joy, building community capacity, and changing the conditions that contribute harm.
Black youth recently identified online safety as a top priority. In the fall of 2024, a digital wellbeing curriculum addressing Black youth identity and safety online was implemented in three schools. The demonstration is designed as a three-part project focused on education, policy change, and positive use of technology. This included an eight-week, in-school class, building on the current Minnesota state legislation requiring schools to have a cell phone policy. The demonstration proactively supported and engaged youth on balanced use of technology in addition to limiting cell phone use in schools. Black youth also identified potential modifications to school cell phone policies. Evaluation updates will be shared in the spring of 2025. To learn more, contact mn_health.mentalhealth.MDH@state.mn.us.
Young adult leadership opportunity
The Children & Nature Network is looking for young leaders (ages 20-28) to join their Youth Advisory Council where they can help shape the Nature Everywhere Conference and the Youth Outdoor Equity Leadership Fund while also supporting their leadership development. This is a paid youth leadership opportunity.
Commitment:
- Share your voice as a means of elevating and amplifying other young leaders.
- Contribute to and participate in monthly calls through Dec. 31, 2025.
- Share your expertise and guidance and provide support to the Nature Everywhere.
Learn more and apply.
Escape the Vape Video
The Escape the Vape Video Challenge, a youth vaping prevention video contest, is back for 2025. Minnesota middle and high school students are invited to create and submit a 30-second public service announcement video to educate their peers on the dangers of e-cigarette use, also known as vaping. Students can learn more and enter the contest on the Escape the Vape website. For questions about the contest, email mnescapethevape@gmail.com.
|
|
|
Webinar: Supporting children of incarcerated parents - addressing school-based bias and stigma
Children of parents who are incarcerated often face unique challenges in school, including academic struggles and social-emotional difficulties. The trauma of being separated from a parent can deeply affect their wellbeing, causing stress and stigma not only for the children but also for their families and caregivers, including the caregivers in schools.
Hosted by The Council of State Governments Justice Center with funding and support from the U.S Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, this webinar will explore how schools and correctional facilities can better support children of parents who are incarcerated. Topics include how educators can recognize and address their own implicit biases, creating affirming spaces for children of incarcerated parents, and providing educational support for children, caregivers, and families of parents who are incarcerated.
Jan. 8, 2025
2-3 p.m.
Register to participate
|
|
No Child Left Inside Grants
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is excited to announce the continuation of the No Child Left Inside grant program.
The program aims to support and increase efforts to expand programming that connects youth to the outdoors. Originally funded by the 2019 Minnesota Legislature with continued funding from the 2021 and 2023 legislative sessions, these grants are provided for:
- Outdoor environmental, ecological, and other natural-resource-based education and recreation programs serving youth.
Learn who should apply and how to apply via the DNR website. Applications are due Dec. 16.
Safe Routes to School
The deadline to apply for the Minnesota Department of Transportation Safe Routes to School funding is Jan. 17, 2025. Learn more and apply. Safe Routes to School funding opportunities include planning assistance, design assistance, and boost grants.
|
|
The Minnesota Partnership for Adolescent and Young Adult Health
This collaboratively developed plan was designed to support community-based efforts with a unifying vision, and collectively agreed-upon priorities to motivate, engage, and inspire action. Efforts can be led by a wide variety of groups such health systems, youth-serving organizations, or young people. If your agency has a program that you would like featured or an event or resource you’d like to share with this network, please send it to us at Health.AdolescentHealth@state.mn.us.
|
|
|
|
|
