THMS Response to COVID-19

Photo by CDC on Unsplash.com

On Saturday, March 14, 2020, Governor Tate Reeves declared a state of emergency for the state of Mississippi regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19).Β  We are uncertain of the impact this virus will have on our communities in the long run, but are certain that this pandemic has immediate impacts on the health, economics, and mental and psycho-social well-being of the communities we serve.

Teen Health Mississippi is especially concerned about the safety and well-being of our staff, youth, communities, and partners that we counter across the state of Mississippi and beyond. At the same time, THMS is committed more than ever to our mission of ensuring youth have access to high-quality sex education and youth-friendly healthcare services.

Title X Gag Rule: What It Means for Mississippi Youth

The Title X Family Planning Program is a federal grant program that provides family planning and preventive healthcare, like breast and cervical cancer screenings, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, birth control, and pregnancy services. In February 2019, the Trump Administration announced a Title X Gag Rule that has concerning implications on the program.

A Year of Impact: 2019 Annual Report

This year might have been our first as a standalone nonprofit, but Teen Health Mississippi hit the ground runningβ€”literally. We traveled more than 20,000 miles to conferences, events, and 130+ trainings. Our team also continued to develop programs that cross areas such as capacity building, parent trainings, and youth-friendly healthcare, plus we awarded five subgrantees to a youth council and youth-serving organizations across the state.

And that’s not all! We invite you to read the full 2019 Annual Report to see how Teen Health Mississippi is championing teens and adults who want to improve sexual health education, training, and policy.

Durant Mayor’s Youth Council receives Spark Youth Grant from Teen Health Mississippi

Jackson, MSβ€”Young people in Mississippi are being empowered with the education, the skills, and now the funds to improve the health of their peers and affect the greater community. Β Teen Health Mississippi (THMS), a state-wide, youth-focused organization addressing the sexual and mental health of teens and young adults across the state has introduced a mini-grant program for youth starting in 2019. Β 

The inaugural Spark Youth Grant has been developed through a partnership with Advocates for Youth. Β The purpose of the award is to help an individual or group develop an idea that addresses unique challenges that impact the youth in their communities. Β Selected awardees will have three months to complete their projects, and they will receive technical assistance from Teen Health Mississippi throughout the planning and implementation of their idea. Β 

Teens are Major Partners with Teen Health Mississippi in Social Media Driven Health Effort

Β  Β  Β  Β  Β MeetΒ Team ME.Β Β (from left) Dr. Angie, Adrian, Jay, Jazzy, and Maria.Β Β Not pictured is β€œBig Bro” who appears occasionally via cell phone while enrolled at JSU.

Jackson, MSβ€”Mississippi teens are a major partner with Teen Health Mississippi in a social media awareness campaign that connects Mississippi youth to high-quality and youth-friendly mental and sexual-reproductive health resources. Β Teen Health Mississippi, in partnership with Power to Decide, recently launched Project Mind Elevation.

Project ME. has introduced six youthful, animated personas, vetted and approved by teens state-wide, who are β€œinteracting” on popular social media channels.Β  As the ME. teens experience the same struggles as their real-life friends, they will recommend and provide information about resources and services available to youth across the state.Β  Β The lives of the ME. teens can be followed on Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat under the username β€œMS.TeamMe”.

Teen Health Mississippi Hires Executive Director

Jackson, MSβ€”Teen Health Mississippi is excited to announce the selection of Dr. Hope L. Crenshaw to serve as Executive Director. Dr. Crenshaw will officially join the team in her new role on May 15, 2018. The Teen Health Mississippi advisory board, with the generous help of a volunteer search committee, led the search process.

β€œWith Hope’s selection, Teen Health Mississippi takes its next step in becoming a stand-alone teen health organization. Hope has been a great asset to our team over the past eighteen months in her role as Director of Education and Training, and we are excited to support her in this new position as Executive Director,” said Marni von Wilpert, Chair of the Teen Health Mississippi Advisory Board.

Meet MYCouncil Member -Jefferson Davis

We are continuing features on our Mississippi Youth Council (MYCouncil) members.Β MYCouncilΒ is made up of 10 passionate youth activists from across Mississippi that support and promote high-quality comprehensive sex education for all young people. They work to ensure that young people have a voice in the debate around what gets taught in Mississippi schools. Follow MYCouncil on Facebook.

Meet MS Sex Education Training Cadre Member – Meg Hayden

The Mississippi Sex Education Training Cadre is a statewide training cadre comprised of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experience working with a variety of different populations and communities. The goal of this statewide cadre of trainers is to increase the capacity and comfort of sexual health educators throughout Mississippi, particularly in our CHART communities, so that they have the core skills and content knowledge to teach high-quality sex education.

Meet MYCouncil Member -Triuna Taylor

We are continuing features on our Mississippi Youth Council (MYCouncil) members.Β MYCouncilΒ is made up of 10 passionate youth activists from across Mississippi that support and promote high-quality comprehensive sex education for all young people. They work to ensure that young people have a voice in the debate around what gets taught in Mississippi schools. Follow MYCouncil on Facebook.