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October is Let's Talk Month!
Hello NC Youth Connected friends and partners! 
October is Let's Talk Month, a time for parents to practice talking to their children in an open and honest manner about sensitive topics. There are great resources in Cumberland and Wayne Counties to help parents do that.  Click here for great tips and fun conversation starters!

In this newsletter we highlight two NCYC health educators, share news of the great work happening in Cumberland County and review findings from the community survey in Wayne County.
Come One, Come All! We are hosting a Parent Town Hall!

The Cumberland County Community Advisory Council (CAC) is hosting a Parent Town Hall on October 24, 2017 to celebrate Let's Talk Month and provide information on teen pregnancy prevention efforts. This event is an opportunity to learn about how teen pregnancy is impacting Cumberland County as well as introduce tools and communication practices parents can use to talk about sexual health with their teens. Interested in attending? Please email ncyc @shiftnc.org by October 17th to RSVP! Light refreshments will be served.
Event Details: 

Partnership for Children
351 Wagoner Drive
Fayetteville, NC 28303

October 24, 2017 at 7pm

Questions? Please email ncyc@shiftnc.org or call 919-226-1880 Ext 112
Happy One-Year Anniversary Cumberland YLC!

Cumberland County's Youth Leadership Council (YLC)  is celebrating their one-year anniversary this year! They have had a successful year with appearances at Fourth Friday in Fayetteville, presentations at community forums with elected officials, and even zip lining at their leadership retreat! The YLC will be holding elections for board positions in the coming month. Please congratulate our young leaders on their great accomplishments thus far! 

 
Getting Ready for GET REAL

September was a jam-packed month for Cumberland County Scho ols as they trained the remaining 32 school health educators in the GET|REAL curriculum.  Each educator completed an online course and 3-day in-person training. In total, Cumberland County Schools has 53 health educators, 2,080-hours of GET|REAL training,  and are ready to educate all Middle School students in the county with this wonderful program!
Wayne County: You Talked! We Listened.

NC Youth Connected conducted a community needs assessment to learn more from Wayne County residents about their thoughts on how to address teen pregnancy in 
the county. 

The survey revealed that Wayne County residents largely support teen pregnancy prevention programming that includes age-appropriate information on abstaining from sex, dealing with peer pressure, and medically accurate information on condoms and birth control. 
  • 91% of adults agree that sexual health information will help teens become healthy adults;
  • Over eight in ten adults (84%) strongly agree that information on how to avoid pregnancy and STIs should be available to teens; 
  • 75% of adults said teens should be given information on both abstinence and birth control;
  • Two out of three adults would support a teen pregnancy prevention program if it were taught in a health class at school (68%).
     

Click here to Review the Results!
Meet Naisha Coley

I began my position with NC Youth Connected working as a health educator teaching adolescent health in WISH, a school based health center. The WISH center provides a range of health care services to students who might not have access to them otherwise.  At the WISH center I utilize the Seventeen Days curriculum, which is an interactive youth "soap opera" that presents scenarios involving decisions that youth encounter in relationships. When students watch the scenarios, often times they get opportunity to rationalize their decisions.
Implementing sexual health encompasses more than sexual health but deeply explores decision making and life skills.

This past summer we also implemented Project AIM which allowed me to work with middle-school aged children on a group level intervention based on the Theory of Possible Selves. Although no particular sexual health content was incorporated within the curriculum the program's main goal was to reduce HIV risk behaviors. Youth discovered learning about being their best "possible selves" as they enjoyed creating their own resumes, business cards, and future career planning. I was elated as the youth were able to discover their skills and learn about how their current actions can reflect on their future.

In July during our NCYC Retreat I was asked "What does being a health educator mean to you?" If I can think back I had several things to say but I do remember my last statement, "it was being a mentor and a voice for the youth."  As a young public health educator I've learned to wear several hats, but being a voice for the youth has been the most rewarding. As I continue my work with NC Youth Connected, I am glad to be given this opportunity to empower our youth today.
GlaxoSmithKline Foundation Nomination

Maryssa Sadler, Health Educator for Cumberland County Health Department, was nominated for the North Carolina GlaxoSmithKline Foundation Child Health Recognition Award in the Public Health Staff Recognition category. The NC GlaxoSmithKline Foundation supports programs in North Carolina that help to meet the educational needs of today's society and of future generations and the Child Health Recognition Awards is one way the foundation helps to promote the valuable work of public health professionals in the state. The luncheon was held September 27, 2017 in Asheville, NC. NCYC congratulates Maryssa Sadler on the nomination and are appreciative for the important work she has done.

Your update of the great work happening in Cumberland and Wayne Counties!

  NC Youth Connected | [email protected] | www.ncyouthconnected.org

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