Upcoming Events - Race to Nowhere

Join us on December 13 in the Riverside Elementary School All Purpose Room School. Elizabeth Casparian, PhD, HiTOPS Executive Director, will facilitate the continuing discussion of this topic. All are welcome to attend. Join the Facebook group THE RACE TO NOWHERE-PRINCETON for related news, events and articles of interest.

Parents of Teenagers—HiTOPS is here for you, too!

Parenting teenagers is a challenging job and HiTOPS Parent Programs offer information, support and skills to help parents communicate more effectively with their adolescents. Our education staff is available to come to your business or organization, your child’s school, or your home to provide a program of your choice. Topics include but are not limited to:

• Sexuality and the Young Adolescent
• Talking with Your Child about Sex
• Risk Proof: Raising Self-Esteem in Kids
• Parenting Teens: Setting Limits, Communicating, Staying Sane
• Raising Sons
• Managing Media Influences: A Guide for Parents of Teens
• Everybody Hates You: What to do about Cyberbullying
• Bullying and Mean Behavior

To schedule a program contact:
Elizabeth Walters
Director of Educational Programs
609.683.5155 x218
elizabeth@hitops.org

HiTOPS Health Center Welcomes Kelli Hall

Kelli Stidham Hall, PhD, MSN, ANP-C joined HiTOPS in October 2010. Kelli, a Nurse Practitioner, came to the Princeton community this summer as a postdoctoral research fellow at Princeton University, where she is furthering her research in adolescent contraceptive behavior and outcomes.

She received her PhD from Columbia University and her Master's and Bachelor's degrees in Family Nursing from the University of Kentucky. Kelli has also served as a nurse educator, teaching Nurse Practitioner students both clinical and research content while at Columbia. As a clinician, Kelli has years of experience as a reproductive health and adolescent medicine nurse practitioner, working most recently in college health, family planning and gynecology practices in New York City. In addition to clinical expertise in contraceptive management, Kelli is specialized in treatment of eating disorders and interested in integrating mental health and primary care into family planning contexts.

Kelli believes HiTOPS public health approach to positive youth development designed by nurse practitioners is the perfect setting for her to deliver high quality, integrated and evidence-based health care to male and female adolescents and emerging adults.

To contact HiTOPS J.Seward Johnson, Sr. Center for Adolescent Health, please call 609.683.5155 x211.

Parenting Brief: Teens and Privacy

Privacy seems like a basic concept and a simple human right, but parents often neglect to talk explicitly and intentionally with their kids about it. Simply by defining what privacy is and how that translates to respect and behavior, you will help to avoid humiliating stories, from mildly embarrassing within your own home to more serious breaches of respect on the internet.

Every human being needs a certain amount of privacy. There may be intimate details about each of us that we choose to share with our families, spouses, and closest friends. When we chose to do that, we become vulnerable to others while developing intimacy and trust. However, people have differing beliefs about what they will or will not share with others, and as a result, have varying needs for privacy. Nudity, sexual behavior, toileting and bathing, are the most commonly agreed upon private behaviors. People in the U.S. are also deeply private about other things, such as income, age, and political beliefs.

When it comes to the internet, especially social networking sites and other online formats, both adults and kids are at a loss as to what privacy really means. What does privacy mean if you can Google just about everyone? What does it mean to have our credit card numbers stored on a site? What about phones that can take photos and post them on Facebook almost instantly? What happens when our shopping histories are recorded by our local grocers every time we use our discount cards?

The first thing we need to do is understand what privacy is, why it is important to us, and to communicate that within our own homes so that our values about privacy are clear to everyone. Then we need to develop an understanding of how others define and value privacy, and to learn appropriate respect for those differences.

Define privacy. For example: Every adult has the right to be alone when doing things that they consider to be private behavior. Some behaviors that people consider to be private are things like changing clothes, using the toilet, bathing or sexual behavior. Some people and cultures also believe that other behaviors like grooming, kissing, arguing, or crying, are things that should only be done in private. Sometimes privacy also means that one does not have to talk about or answer questions about things that they consider to be private – some people believe that one’s weight, age or income for example, are private matters. In our family, we believe that….

Explain about closed doors. You might say, “A closed bathroom or bedroom door means that someone wants to be alone. You need to knock on a closed door, and wait to be given permission before entering.” Adults need to extend this same courtesy to children, unless they believe that the child is in physical danger. Modeling privacy from an early age is an important way to develop an understanding and appreciation that can help people avoid uncomfortable or humiliating situations in the future.

Invasion of privacy is serious. Peeking behind a closed door, whether through a hole in the door or via webcam or other technology is a complete invasion of privacy. No matter what the intent – from curiosity to outright bullying – having one’s private moments shared without consent can be embarrassing, humiliating or devastating. Making this clear at home is the first step to preventing situations in the future that might be truly harmful to others.

Discuss online privacy. Everyone needs to know that almost any words, photos or videos that are texted, emailed, blogged, or posted on a website are stored permanently and can be viewed by people who wish to see them. Something that a person posts, tweets or shares today will likely be available forever. Future employers, police, press or partners may be able to find this material at any point, and depending upon the material, there could be legal consequences. There is no way to control material once it takes an electronic form and is distributed. Anything that is done behind a closed door or a conversation that is limited between people should not be shared in any electronic format.

Look for next month’s article on Kindness!

For more information, contact: Elizabeth Casparian, PhD, ecasparian@hitops.org

Strategic Plan: 3 Years and 4 Initiatives

On Monday November 8, HiTOPS Board of Trustees unanimously approved a three year strategic plan put forth by a committee of Board and staff. The exciting new plan is the result of the most comprehensive strategic planning and organizational assessment process in HiTOPS’ history.

Over the years HiTOPS has experienced considerable growth and earned recognition for its expertise with adolescents—truly being there for them, listening well and responding with relevant and needed programs and services. Founded on a deep respect for an adolescent’s ability to learn and make good decisions when given factual information, HiTOPS grew organically for 22 years to meet the growing demand for services. The leading question driving the planning effort was: how can HiTOPS financially sustain its unique approach to adolescent health and well-being? ”

HiTOPS envisions a world in which youth have the resources they need to live healthy, responsible and empowered lives.

Building on its programmatic strengths, HiTOPS outlined four initiatives to ensure excellence, demonstrate effectiveness, leverage partnerships, and strengthen capacity to achieve our vision and financial sustainability.

• Distinguish Ourselves
• Build Community
• Sustain Impact
• Achieve Greatness

The three-year plan is ambitious. Within each initiative are specific goals and objectives that will serve as a roadmap for Board and staff to grow HiTOPS from its current state to its desired state.

This next year is pivotal for HITOPS. Your support, or your extra support, at this time will help HiTOPS maintain program delivery while beginning the process of addressing the long-term goals. If you would like to sponsor an initiative click here and indicate on memo line of donation form, or contact: Catharine Vaucher, Director of Development and Marketing, cvaucher@hitops.org.

HiTOPS Trustees at a planning retreat in June (l-r): Art Ferrara, Nicole Martin, Jeffrey Kurtz, Ann McDonald, Sharon Perlman, Jim Levine, Anne Skalka, and Marc Kanoff. Not pictured: Jean Moses and Andrew Koontz.

Upcoming Events

November 7 - Zumba® for HiTOPS
Join us on Sunday, November 7th from 10am-2pm at Princeton Senior Resource Center (45 Stockton Street, Princeton, NJ) for a Zumba® workout for a great cause! All proceeds will benefit HiTOPS! Click the links for a flyer, a registration form, or a sponsorship form. For more information, call 609-683-5155 x233.

Now through November 20 - Cranbury Station Galleries
Holiday framing?? Cranbury Station Galleries - an art gallery and frame store located on Palmer Square in Princeton and, also, in Cranbury - is offering to donate 20% of proceeds of the purchase of art or framing to HiTOPS. Click here for a coupon to ensure that HiTOPS receives 20% of the proceeds of your purchase or pick one up at HiTOPS. HiTOPS thanks Kathleen Maguire Morolda and The Cranbury Station Galleries for this generous support!

November 20 - NJGSA Forum
Breaking Barriers, Celebrating Diversity
Join us to explore diversity in the LGBTQ community and the specific challenges to LGBTQ youth of color. Information and registration online at http://www.njgsaforum.com/ or call Corrine O'Hara at 609-683-5155 x 217.

Office of Adolescent Health Award

Princeton Center for Leadership Training and HiTOPS Announce $4.8 Million Award for Innovative Teen Pregnancy Prevention Initiative in North Carolina
Five-year federal grant will replicate and evaluate a comprehensive teen pregnancy prevention and sexual health education program for high schools.

The Princeton Center for Leadership Training (PCLT), in collaboration with long-time partner HiTOPS, was awarded a five-year, $4.8 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to replicate and evaluate a teen sexual health peer education program, known as the Teen Prevention Education Program (Teen PEP), in 16 high schools in rural North Carolina communities with high teen birth rates. Since the program's launch in 1995, PCLT and HiTOPS have worked collaboratively with the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services to develop and implement Teen PEP in more than 50 high schools in New Jersey.

The new federal grant will enable this successful and proven New Jersey program to expand its impact significantly in the state of North Carolina. The project will:
• build the capacity of schools to provide effective and sustainable sexuality education through a model of peer education;
• support the development of students as effective sexual health educators effecting positive behavioral change among their peers; and
• provide students with the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to reduce unintended pregnancy, HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections.

"We are both honored and thrilled to receive this prestigious award that will enable us to reach thousands more young people with medically accurate sexual health education and leadership development programming," said Daniel F. Oscar, President & CEO of PCLT. "The success of Teen PEP as a statewide model in New Jersey offers a solid foundation for wide-scale replication of the program in rural communities across North Carolina."

"A young person's future depends on the decisions he or she makes today," said Dr. Elizabeth Casparian, Executive Director of HiTOPS. "Adolescents are already a medically underserved population, and are often just a choice away from life-altering actions. Through this project, we can provide the resources they need to make decisions that protect their health, which will enable them to live healthy, responsible lives."

Teen PEP is a school-based program that utilizes peer education to increase responsible decision-making by students around issues of sexual health. High school juniors and seniors serve as peer educators who conduct -- for groups of younger peers, faculty, and family members -- a series of structured workshops designed to reduce risk factors for unintended pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, and HIV as well as to enhance protective factors against these issues. Peer educators are trained through a daily, credit-bearing leadership course taught by school faculty during regular school hours. PCLT and HiTOPS build the capacity of schools to implement Teen PEP by providing training, curriculum, and on-site technical assistance to stakeholders and school faculty. The direct implementation of Teen PEP is carried out by faculty employed by and peer educators enrolled in participating schools.

The proposed project will reach more than 12,000 program participants, including 10,000 ninth-grade students, who are the recipients of peer-led workshops. PCLT and HiTOPS will partner with Abt Associates, Inc. to conduct a scientifically rigorous evaluation of the program's impact on student outcomes in order to further enhance the knowledge base and field of teen pregnancy prevention and peer leadership.

Welcome Home!? - Dealing with your Child's Return from College

Fall break, Thanksgiving, the winter holidays. During the upcoming weeks, many families will experience having a son or daughter who has been away at college return home for the first time. Amidst the joy of having the family together again and seeing a child who has probably been away from home longer than ever before - the return of the college student can present some challenges for parents.

A sense of new-found independence and ability to make their own decisions without parental guidance is part of what makes going away to college both exciting and stressful for young people. When they re-enter the family home young adults may feel constrained and resentful, having to live by family rules and boundaries once again. Their resistance may be a way to let everyone know that they are older, wiser and more mature (all in a few months!).

Here are some things to consider:

• It is still your home and you get to make the rules for the household.
• At the same time, respect that your child is older and has been living more independently. Allow for somewhat more generous curfews and limitations, but still within your comfort and what will work in your home.
• Be prepared for changes in appearance, dietary habits and/or language. Part of the process of becoming independent is choosing to do things in a different way from what was done at home. You can ask about these changes as a curious observer “what made you choose to become a vegetarian? Stop wearing shoes, dye your hair purple?” Unless the change represents a serious and immediate health or safety risk, probably best to keep unsolicited opinions to yourself.
• If there are particular family activities or meals at which your child’s attendance is mandatory, be sure to let them know in advance and try to be flexible about the rest.
• Be vigilant about not serving alcohol to underage youth in your home. You have a right to serve your OWN child alcohol in your home, and only if they intend to remain in the home after consuming alcohol. You may not serve other people’s children.
• Remind your returning child that he or she is an important role model for their younger siblings still living at home.
• While sleep, a home-cooked meal and visiting with friends are important priorities for most returning young people, they can still be expected to contribute to the family by doing chores, running errands and helping out at home. Use of the car and time out and about can be rewards for participating in family maintenance.

Elizabeth M. Casparina, Ph.D.

ecasparian@hitops.org

609-683-5155 x215

Introducing Dan Rice

HiTOPS welcomed Dan Rice to our education staff in mid-September. Dan, a graduate of Wagner College, is a health educator and co-advisor of the HiTOPS Teen Council. His past experiences in the field of sexual health include working with LGBTQ youth, incarcerated youth, spiritual communities, parent groups, and as the sexual health educator for the Sex, etc. teen editorial staff and web site. Dan has trained professionals across the country on sexuality related topics, keynoted at conferences and served on the core staff of the Training Institute for Sexual Health Education (TISHE). Click here to see some of the programs Dan can facilitate for your group or organization.

HiTOPS Responds to the Recent Tragedy

HiTOPS staff is deeply saddened by the recent reports of New Jersey youth being part of and affected by both hate crimes and institutionalized homophobia. We work every day to prevent this kind of tragedy, and our hearts go out to the family of Tyler Clementi. In our work with high school populations, we know that youth are more respectful, thoughtful and accepting of diversity when their schools implement harassment and bullying prevention programs, have thriving GSA Clubs (Gay-Straight Alliances) and competent sexual health education.

HiTOPS is committed to ensuring that New Jersey youth have the skills and resources they need in order to be caring and respectful towards their peers. High schools, parents and the community at large have a responsibility to listen to and educate our youth.

Everyone can help. If you are associated with a school in New Jersey:

• find out is it has a Gay Straight Alliance (GSA);
• find out if harassment and bullying are part of the curricula for all students;
• ensure that faculty and parents have the tools to address respectful, appropriate use of technology, and know how to respond to harassment and bullying.

Parent education programs and faculty in-service programs on these issues are critical to supporting students in schools.

If you find your school lacking in any of these areas, please contact your school officials and ask that they be implemented. Work with your PTO groups and community members if funding is an issue.

If you need help with these concerns, please contact Elizabeth M. Casparian, PhD, HiTOPS' Executive Director at 609-683-5155 x 215 or ecasparian@hitops.org.

HiTOPS Busts a Few Myths

MYTH - HiTOPS services are "just for teens."
NOT!

• We see patients from ages 13 to 26 years old, however the majority of our clients are 19 and older: 62% are 19 years and up, 89% are age 17 and up!
• And, the largest population to benefit from HiTOPS programs are middle schoolers. More than a third of HiTOPS educational programming is targeted to educate pre-teens directly or by educating their parents or teachers.

MYTH - HiTOPS services are "just for Princeton kids."
Absolutely NOT!

• While 61% of HiTOPS clients are from Mercer County, 22% are from Middlesex, 8% from Somerset, and growing numbers from other New Jersey and out of state counties.
• In fact, HiTOPS educational outreach serves middle schools, high schools, community organizations, and juvenile detention facilities in 12 counties!
• Last year, we focused on programs and services for high risk adolescent populations. At the end of the year, 142 programs (28% of HiTOPS programs) benefited 697 of our most vulnerable youth populations-those who are incarcerated, from low-income families, or at-risk for out-of-home placement!

You Can Make a Difference

You are an important part of HiTOPS' community because you care about our youth, understand the challenges of adolescence, and recognize how a young person's future depends on the positive choices she or he makes today.

I ask you to think about the young people in your life and the adults they will become. Each one of these individuals deserves a bright future - in fact our society is counting on their success. With your support, we can provide the resources they need to live, healthy responsible lives.

According to The National Alliance to Advance Adolescent Health, adolescence is "the healthiest period of the lifespan," and at the same time, contains "the highest rates of risk-taking behavior and potentially life-threatening consequences." Adolescents, who are already a medically under served population, are often a choice away from life altering actions.

HiTOPS is here to ensure safe passage through this critical stage in their lives with education, services and support. Please help us to assist them.

HiTOPS' model, developed by nurse practitioners, combines education and clinical care designed exclusively for adolescents. Our work begins with puberty education for pre-adolescents, continues with middle schoolers (and their teachers and parents) on topics such as Bullying/Cyberbullying. For high school age youth, HiTOPS trains its peer educators to deliver age-appropriate workshops designed to inform their peers about actions and consequences, and empowering them to make positive decisions. Older teens and college students, benefit from integrated, confidential health care at HiTOPS.

HiTOPS is the "trusted adult" they tell you about in school.

-Teen, Focus Group, 2010

There are no other programs in the state that offer this menu of services under one roof - HiTOPS is the only free-standing adolescent health center in New Jersey. HiTOPS' long-standing expertise with adolescents is unmatched, as is the ability to refer young people, parents, and health professionals to other appropriate teen-friendly resources when a request is outside of HiTOPS' scope of services.

HiTOPS has conversations with kids that parents don't want to have.
-Teen, Focus Group, 2010

Your support makes a difference. Please click here to go to HiTOPS website and make a donation. Your contribution is a gift to a young person, and that gift is their future.

On behalf of the adolescents we serve, thank you in advance for your support.

Warm Regards,
Elizabeth M. Casparian, Ph.D.
Executive Director

HiTOPS Thanks our Volunteers

This summer, HiTOPS had the privilege of working with four interns from area schools and colleges on a variety of tasks. Research projects were designed based on questions arising from strategic planning or to support HiTOPS evaluation efforts. Meet these extraordinary young people and learn about their projects.

My name is Omoshalewa and I am a rising senior at Princeton University where I major in Psychology and am pursuing a Neuroscience certificate. During my internship with HiTOPS this summer, I worked on a project compiling information on adolescent primary care sites around the country. This was part of an effort for HiTOPS to begin networking with other adolescent health centers recognized by the National Alliance to Advance Adolescent Health. Aside from being able to help HiTOPS, during this experience I was able to learn more about the way that teens currently receive care in the United States and how the adolescent care model has been changing over time. In addition to learning more about how HiTOPS operates, this was a great opportunity for me to help out, knowing that what I was doing was contributing to a good cause.



My name is Meghan Casey and I’m going to be a junior psychology major at LaSalle University. My project was to research national and NJ trends in teen pregnancy, HIV/AIDS, STD/STIs, and alcohol and drug abuse. Through my research I was able to find that teen pregnancy is on the rise all across America but New Jersey still remains one of four states with the lowest teenage birth rates in the country. With that said, NJ is one of four states with the highest abortion rates. HIV/AIDS is infecting approximately 40,000 men and women each year; the number of women living with HIV/AIDS has tripled in the last two decades. As of 2009 in NJ 35% of women are living with HIV/AIDS and 62% of those women are between the ages of 20 and 49. America has seen a recent decrease in alcohol and drug abuse among teenagers but has seen a spike in increased use of prescription pain medications. I’ve really enjoyed working with HiTOPS on this project.


My name is Aubrey, I graduated from Brown University in May 2010 and am getting my masters in social work in the fall at Boston University. I focused on two major projects as a summer intern. My first project was to examine the impact of an adolescent health center in reducing the rates of STI/STDs, HIV/AIDS, teen pregnancy, and substance abuse. I compared statistics of Mercer County, NJ with Durham County, NC, which has similar demographics but lacks an adolescent health center (such as HiTOPS). In my report, I found that Mercer County had lower rates of STI/STDs, HIV/AIDS, and teen pregnancy, when compared to Durham County (the information on substance abuse was too scarce to draw a conclusion). My second project was to reach out to Rape Crisis Centers, Women’s Centers, etc., and offer them an opportunity to purchase the rape prevention curriculum, titled “One by One: Teens Explore Date Rape,” designed by Elizabeth Walters (Director of Education Programs at HiTOPS) and Christopher Floor. I really enjoyed interning at HiTOPS and am grateful to have had the opportunity to be a part of an organization that has such an impact in the community.

My name is Ashley Higginson and I am a rising senior at Princeton University. I am a politics major and run both cross country and track for the Princeton Tigers varsity teams. A program called the Community Based Learning Imitative paired me with HiTOPS and it has been such a rewarding experience. Other then organizational and other helpful intern tasks, a large part of my time was spent on a research project, where I assessed and gathered data about adolescents in the South Brunswick High School zoning area that are HiTOPS patients. Every year, the numbers of patients from this area to the Health Center continues to grow. The results showed that the Teen PEP program was the reason over 52% of patients from the South Brunswick High School area ended up at HiTOPS, a very rewarding statistic! Also, I deduced other conclusions, such as the importance of teens having close proximity to a Health Center, the health seeking behavior of different races and genders, and the growing number of adolescents over the age of 18 who are out of high school and need HiTOPS care. After assessing three fiscal years of patients, I put the data together in different demographic and statistical graphs to create a report on the role of South Brunswick clients at the Health Center and thoughts for the future of the HiTOPS Health Center. I really hope my 10 weeks here can be a big help to the HiTOPS mission and the growth of this amazing organization.

Volunteers are valuable “hands” that help HiTOPS carry out its mission—to promote adolescent health and well-being. To learn more about volunteer opportunities at HiTOPS, email cvaucher@hitops.org.

(L-R): Aubrey Fitzpatrick, Anita Gooding, Development Associate at HiTOPS, Ashley Higgins, John Parker, Meghan Casey, Gisela Moore, Omoshalewa Bamkole and Jennifer Chung

H-i-T-O-P-S. What does it stand for?

What does HiTOPS stand for anyway? Do you know?

a. Hopeful Incredible Teens Offer Positive Solutions
b. Health Interested Teens Own Program on Sexuality
c. Happy Intelligent Teens Offer Popular Skits
d. Heroic Impeccable Teens Orchestrate Puberty Safely

While “all of the above” could describe HiTOPS, you are correct if you selected “b.”

Twenty two years ago, Health Interested Teens Own Program on Sexuality began focusing on educating high school age teens. What you may not know, is that HiTOPS has expanded its reach to pre-adolescents and emerging adults. The largest population to benefit from HiTOPS’ educational programs is middle school students ages 11-14. Last year nearly 4,000 students benefited from classes on puberty, healthy and unhealthy relationships, cyberbullying and sexual harassment prevention. Parents of pre-adolescents are seeking HiTOPS’ expertise to help prevent problems before they arise by increasing family-communication and promoting healthy decision-making.

HiTOPS’ Center for Adolescent Health is serving the other end of the adolescent age spectrum. The Center, located in Princeton, was founded to provide confidential health services to adolescents ages 13-26. Of the 814 clients served last year 89% were ages 17 and up, 62% are 19 and older. College students from multiple counties come to HiTOPS for a variety of health needs. In some cases, the health care they receive from HiTOPS is the only health care they receive from any source during their latter adolescence and young adult years. For more information or to contact the Center, call 609-683-5155 ext. 211.

Teens, Gotta Love 'Em

Teens are often portrayed as back-talking, eye-rolling, insubordinate sloths. Media reinforces the idea that teens are running wild and can’t be trusted, leading to an impression that teenagers are scary, uncontrollable and manipulative.

Those of us who work closely with teenagers typically see a different picture. While it is true that teens have some limitations related to normal development, experience and maturity, they are capable of making good decisions when they are given clear information and support.

Developmentally, teens lack the ability to understand some of the consequences of their behavior. Teen brains need context, repetition and reinforcement to support memory and learning. A teenager’s emotional intelligence may not be fully formed to clearly articulate their needs and feelings. To address these teen characteristics the staff at HiTOPS has developed certain skills to help young people succeed.

Teens need adults in their lives who mentor, guide, support and care for and about them. Here are some guidelines for communicating with the teens in your life.

• Listen to teens and really hear their feelings, needs and concerns.

• Ask open-ended questions such as “how did you feel when your friend said that?” “What ideas do you have for solving that problem?” “What about this situation makes you most angry,afraid, excited, happy?”

• Speak with teens and not to them.
a) Empower them to think of solutions and offer support and guidance, rather
than rules
b) Expect teens to work hard, have high standards and provide support
c) Reward effort all along the way; everyone needs positive reinforcement when
a task is hard.

• Be willing to explain the steps of a process, slowly and clearly, and not in an exasperated or condescending way.

For more tips, call 609-683-5155 ext. 215, or email ecasparian@hitops.org.

Reaching High-Risk Adolescents at Expanded Sites

HiTOPS is expanding its efforts to provide risk reduction, prevention education and health services to two high-risk and vulnerable youth populations: incarcerated youth and youth at risk for out-of-home placement. HiTOPS was awarded full funding from Princeton Area Community Foundation's 2010 Spring Greater Mercer Grant to support planning, assessment and delivery of services to these adolescents.

With this funding, HiTOPS is using the summer months to prepare for its ninth and most extensive year of programming for incarcerated youth in four counties. Staff and peer-educators will provide risk reduction and prevention education on the following topics: HIV education, pregnancy prevention, dating violence prevention, homophobia reduction, STD prevention and date rape prevention. In addition, this year, education staff will meet with staff from six different juvenile justice sites to learn more about the specific needs of each site, and develop relationships and programs that will support prevention education for youth.

The Greater Mercer Grant also supports HiTOPS’ ability to respond to a newly identified need in the community. Capitol County’s Children’s Collaborative (CCCC) is an independent, nonprofit care management provider in Mercer County, who came to HiTOPS requesting sexual health education, and specifically reproductive health and healthy decision-making for their adolescent population. CCCC serves children with moderate and high need mental health and behavioral challenges, and works to link them to resources and supports in the community. HiTOPS will be able to work with CCCC case workers to help them address the sexual health needs of adolescent clients and provide youth with health care vouchers for services in HiTOPS comprehensive adolescent health center. In addition to workshops and training for case workers, HiTOPS will be working with CCCC- affiliated parents and youth directly to encourage risk-reduction and health enhancing decision-making and behaviors.

HiTOPS is grateful to Princeton Area Community Foundation and its pool of donors who provide valuable support where the need is greatest. For more information about the program, email elizabeth@hitops.org.

Smooth Transitions

Chances are, this summer a young person you know is on the verge of transitioning to a new school this fall. Whether to middle school, high school or college, this transition, though exciting, can be a time of stress and high emotion for kids and parents. Here are some tips for a smoother transition.

Elementary School to Middle School

The transition to middle school with its new building, changing classes and multiple teachers unfortunately collides with the changes of puberty. Help allay fears about pimples, periods and growth spurts by reminding them that they, like everybody else, are going through normal body changes. Expect kids to be moody and unpredictable and try not to over react to their outbursts or sullenness. Middle school kids are really worried about fitting in, having friends, and avoiding anything that makes them seem different. Give them lots of support and help them find ways to be with friends and develop new interests.

Middle School to High School

Many rising ninth-graders have heightened anxiety about new academic pressures, as well as social pressure related to friends, parties and dating. They are developmentally working on independence and separation and may not express these fears to you. Keep them connected to the family through activities and meals but make their friends welcome in your household. Be sure they get a tour of the high school and meet with their Guidance Counselor to make sure class schedules are in order.

Off to College

“I can’t WAIT to get out of here.” “I can’t WAIT for him to leave.” The conflicts that arise between parents and teens leaving for college are perfectly timed to make it possible to let each other go. Emotions run high for both parents and teens – loss, anxiety, frustration, joy – and you may spend all of your energy reacting to each other. Talk about how it feels to have them leave; offer non-judgmental help for tasks left to be done; understand that beneath the procrastination or attitude lies a child who is leaving home for the first time. Find ways to be encouraging and supportive and let them know they will be missed (even though you may be counting the minutes).

Please forward this article to anyone you know who may benefit.

- Elizabeth Walters, elizabeth@hitops.org

Battle of the Bands photos

On May 27, What's up Princeton? had it's first event of the summer - a successful battle of the bands. Stay tuned for more events throughout the summer and fall. To view more photos or learn more, check out the What's up Princeton? facebook page: www.facebook.com/whatsupprinceton

What's Up Princeton? (L-R) Susan Conlon, Princeton Public Library; Gary DeBlasio, Corner House; Elizabeth M. Casparian, HiTOPS; Not pictured: Jeff Nathanson, Arts Council of Princeton, and Jack Roberts, Princeton Recreation Department.

HiTOPS is Reaching Adulthood

HiTOPS is growing up. Though technically still an adolescent at 22, HiTOPS is entering its next developmental phase—complete with a new set of life challenges! HiTOPS is focusing on its future and wants to explore the best ways it can promote adolescent health and well-being locally, regionally and nationally!

HiTOPS is undertaking a comprehensive strategic planning effort, with the goals to achieve a) unified and energized Board and staff around mission, vision and strategic initiatives; b) strengthened relationships with community stakeholders, including key individual donors, current and potential funding agencies; and c) prioritized goals for growth areas with strategies and resources for implementing.

There have been many significant changes since HiTOPS last planning effort, including the market crash, new leadership on the Board and staff, changes in the field of adolescent health, and heightened demands on the nonprofit sector around fundraising and governance. HiTOPS wants to position itself to be able to take advantage of opportunities—such as new government support for evidence-based comprehensive sex education—and be able to address the challenges—such as the recessionary economy and increased competition for resources.

In May, Executive Director Elizabeth Casparian hired a consultant to lead the organization in gathering data from Board, staff and other key stakeholders and identifying areas for growth. Already there have been retreats for both Board and staff, as well as interviews and focus groups with stakeholders. The data collecting will continue through the summer while staff also begin assessing the current capacity of the organization. We are aiming to celebrate in early fall with our new plan!

It Takes a Village...

At HiTOPS we know that “it takes a village...” and we rely on many local and national partnerships to maximize limited resources and successfully achieve our mission. In addition to the important partners who play a role in educational programs or healthcare services, HiTOPS wants to recognize the many partners who provided financial support this year for programs and services that directly benefitted adolescents with life-saving knowledge, skills, and professional care. These community partnerships are also a source of tremendous encouragement within this recessionary economy.

HiTOPS thanks the following corporate and foundation partners for grants received this year.

- Aetna Foundation

- Albin Family Foundation

- Bristol-Myers Squibb

- Church & Dwight Company, Inc.

- The Curtis W. McGraw Foundation

- E.J. Grassmann Trust

- Fred C. Rummel Foundation

- Harbourton Foundation

- Horizon Foundation for NJ

- Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products

- Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies

- Mary Owen Borden Foundation

- New Jersey Dept. of Health & Senior Services, Division of HIV/AIDS Services

- Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

- Princeton Area Community Foundation—Fund for Women and Girls

- Princeton Area Community Foundation—Greater Mercer Grants

- Susan G. Komen for the Cure

- The Bunbury Company

- Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton

2009-2010 HiTOPS Teen Council, Executive Director Elizabeth M. Casparian (far left) and Board Member Jim Levine (far right)

L-R: HiTOPS Board member Jim Levine, Executive Director Elizabeth M. Casparian, Catharine Vaucher, Director of Development & Marketing, Aetna employees Matthew W. Miller and Janice C. Washeleski, and Sandra Zordan-Friedman, Director of Health Services at HiTOPS.