For Immediate Release
February 1, 2021

Teen dating violence is more common than people think.  Did you know that 1 in 3 teens in the U.S. will experience some form of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse by someone they are in a relationship with before they become adults?  Nearly 2/3 of those youth will never tell anyone.

Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month is a month-long campaign dedicated to raising awareness about teen dating violence and abuse.  Every February, people across the United States join together for the cause. Locally, Crisis Intervention Service and the Bee Inspired Program through Building Families are teaming up to provide tips, tools, and other resources on the topic geared toward youth, parents/caregivers, schools, churches, libraries, providers, and other community members.  Our goal is to encourage open and honest dialogue about teen dating violence with a local theme of “Let’s Talk…TDVAM”. 

There is a lot that YOU can do to help prevent teen dating violence and abuse.  One of the most important is keeping the lines of communication open with youth.  To help educate and spread awareness, we have created short and  actionable activities that individuals may be involved in throughout the prevention month:

1. Get the FACTS, Start EARLY, & TALK Often—Everyone has the right to a safe and healthy relationship. However, dating abuse can happen to anyone. To help make a positive difference in changing the statistics, we encourage individuals to share the shared facts, promote healthy relationships, and have open and honest conversations on teen dating violence. These can be shared in announcements, bulletins, newsletters, social media, and more.
2. Let’s Talk…TDVAM—Individuals may join a “Let’s Talk” Facebook Live Event on Thursday February 25, 2021.  Tiffany, the Bee Inspired Program Coordinator, will be having a casual conversation with Kaylea from Crisis Intervention Service.
3. Respect Week—We will be providing ideas for raising awareness about healthy relationships, consent, dating abuse, and more. Individuals may choose to implement one or all of them throughout the second week of February.
4. Wear Orange—The ask is simple, wear orange and show your support for Teen Dating Violence prevention on Tuesday February 9, 2021.  We have created 3 simple steps to share on social media.
5. Education, Prevention, & Awareness—Loveisrespect.org is focusing on “KNOW Your Worth”.  Learn all about healthy relationships, self-empowerment, and ideas on how to stop dating abuse/violence before it starts.  EVERY person is deserving of a healthy, loving relationship.

Know Your Worth

For more information and resources, feel free to contact:

Kaylea Green (Domestic Abuse Advocate) with Crisis Intervention Service at kaylea@cishelps.org

Tiffany Larson (Bee Inspired CAPP Program Coordinator) with Building Families at tlarson@co.wright.ia.us

1. A press release for TDVAMWe are sharing information on how others can join us.  In the google drive you will find the following:

2. A flyer for a Let’s Talk…Facebook Live Event on 2/25/2021 at 6pm on the Bee Inspired CAPP Program Facebook Page

3. A graphic for Wear Orange Day on 2/9/2021

4. A flyer for our local Respect Week

5. A Stat Sheet

Are you a junior?  A senior? Attend a high school in Hamilton County? Want to be involved in making a difference in the county? Join the Youth in Philanthropy (YiP) Program Advisory Committee!

The Youth in Philanthropy (YiP) Program is a component of the Enhance Hamilton County Foundation (EHCF). It allows juniors and seniors from Hamilton County to experience philanthropy first hand. While serving on the Advisory Committee, youth will be able to review grants and award monies steered by their decisions to assist local non-profit organizations that serve Hamilton County. Youth involved gain leadership skills, and are taught the importance of giving and serving. A total of eight area students (four juniors and four seniors) participate on the YiP Advisory Committee, and represent both the South Hamilton and Webster City Community School Districts.

For the 2020-2021 School Year, the students that served on the committee last year will be given the opportunity to serve again this year. Thus, the EHCF is seeking juniors to fill two spots from each school district in Hamilton County (and 1 senior spot at WebsterCity). To entice participation, the EHCF Board provides Advisory Committee members with a $250 scholarship for each year they participate (with a max of $500 for both years served).

Youth interested in being a part of the Advisory Committee are encouraged to review the information sheet and complete the application. Completed application forms may be submitted to the high school guidance counselor, or emailed to tlarson@co.wright.ia.us or beeinspiredcappprogram@gmail.com. Submission deadline has been extended to END OF DAY (11:59PM) on Wednesday, January 27, 2021. The youth selected to serve will be notified ASAP, as grant recommendations are needed prior to February 9th.

For questions and additional information on the Youth in Philanthropy Program, feel free to contact the Advisory Committee Chair, Tiffany Larson (Bee Inspired Program Coordinator), at tlarson@co.wright.ia.us or by calling (o) 515.602.6371 x 4 (c) 515.835.1836.

The Application and more Information may be found in the YiP Google Drive here.

October is “Let’s Talk Month,” a time to highlight the importance of communication and openness between adults and their children to help young people develop positive, healthy attitudes and behaviors about sexual health. This month, families across Iowa will have honest conversations about the facts, feelings, and questions they have about healthy relationships and responsible sexual decision making.  Iowa families are not alone in recognizing October as “Let’s Talk Month,” as Advocates for Youth is the leader in nationally recognizing this month. In Iowa, EyesOpenIowa: Your Connection to Adolescent Sexual Health, and others will encourage teens and parents/caregivers to talk about healthy sexuality and other sexual health topics.

Research indicates that young people who feel connected to their family and clearly understand their family’s values concerning sexual health and relationships are more likely to avoid risk- taking behaviors. Teens report that they want to receive information about sexual health topics from their parents and caregivers. Moreover, a majority of teens agree that it would be easier for them to postpone sexual activity and avoid teen pregnancy if they were able to have more open, honest conversations about these topics with their parents.

Not an expert?  Don’t worry, we have you covered! Parents, teens, faith and civic groups, schools, health providers and others interested in learning how to start these honest conversations can reach out to their local adolescent pregnancy prevention coalition, funded by the Iowa Department of Human Services Community Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention (CAPP) Grant Program. In Hamilton, Humboldt, and Wright (HHW) counties, the Bee Inspired CAPP Program through Building Families will be promoting the Let’s Talk Month Campaign. Be on the lookout for activities, events, and resources shared throughout the tri-county serving area and on social media.

• Conversation Placemats at Local Restaurants
• Distributing “The Talk Toolkits” (provided by EyesOpenIowa
• Zombie-Themed Family Fun Activities at Kidzmania (10/15 in Fort Dodge) and the 3rd Annual Zombie Fun Run to Prevent Child Abuse in HHW Counties (10/22 in Eagle Grove)
• Right Choice Teen Clinic in Clarion for teens ages 12-19 from HHW Counties

Information on Bee Inspired programming for TEENS can be found here.  Buzz around the adult portal here. EyesOpenIowa has resources for parents here.Want more info on Let’s Talk Month?  Check out Advocates For Youth here.