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.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
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.
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.
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.
609-683-5155 x215
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Introducing Dan Rice
HiTOP
S 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.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
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:
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.
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
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
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