Bee Inspired Program Encourages Youth-Adult Conversations Throughout October
October 1, 2019 – October is National “Let’s Talk” Month. “Let’s Talk” Month urges adults and adolescents to have open communication regarding relationships, sexuality, and other sexual health-related topics. Advocates believe in healthy, open relationships between children and their trusted adults, such as: parents, guardians, teachers and health care providers. Several organizations, such as the Bee Inspired Program through Building Families, have tips, tools, and resources available to help adults begin the conversation with youth.
This annual importance placed on comprehensive sex education began in 1975 to unify the plethora of organizations that work to help parents become better sex educators for their children. After only 10 years, the national month spread to more than 30 states, and by 1995, “Let’s Talk” Month became a national campaign sponsored by advocates from all 50 states.
In 2019, Prevent Child Abuse Iowa released research findings regarding Iowans’ perceptions of healthy relationships, sex and adolescent pregnancy. Iowa youth ranked healthy relationships as the most important topic among eight other conversations to have with trusted adults. However, the topics of sexually transmitted diseases/infections and child/teen pregnancy were ranked the least important. The research findings also showed that Iowa adolescents desired advice about using contraception/protection, recognizing when they were ready for sex, communicating consent and abstaining.
The mission of the Bee Inspired CAPP Program through Building Families is to empower ALL adolescents to make healthy informed decisions through education and community awareness in Franklin, Hamilton, and Wright Counties. A big focus of the programming and services includes increasing youth and adult conversations. It is important for parents, caregivers, and other adults to be Askable, Build Bridges with youth by using teachable moments to talk about “tough topics”, and Continue to Learn ways to “bee approachable”. It is so vitally important for youth and adults to increase communication, even on those tricky topics like relationships and sexual health. Parents and youth can start conversations small, and work into the tougher, and a bit more awkward topics. The goal is to get the FACTS, start EARLY, and TALK often; make it an age-appropriate, ongoing conversation. “Let’s Talk” Month encourages adults to be the primary educators that kids want with the accurate information they need. Parents and trusted adults can find communication tips, messages worth repeating, and more, in the materials promoted during “Let’s Talk” month.
Throughout October, the Bee Inspired Program and Advisory Council will be sponsoring several projects and activities, which include:
• “Let’s TALK: Tips & Tools for Being An Approachable Adult” Workshops
• “Let’s TALK” House Parties,
• “You’ve Been Swarmed” Awareness Campaign and FUNdraiser (taking place in Eagle Grove and Webster City October 7th-30th)
• Let’s Talk Month Social Media Campaign (sharing tips, tools, and resources on our Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook)
Individuals may contact the Program Coordinator for questions or information on the events, the Program, or how to start these conversations. Feel free to buzz over to our social media platforms, our website at bee-inspired.org, or contact the Bee Inspired CAPP Program Coordinator at 515.602.6371 (ext. 4) or tlarson@co.wright.ia.us.
