Parents

As parents, you are the first line of defense in teaching your children good decision-making skills. You teach children what is appropriate and not appropriate as they grow up. When they were young, you set boundaries for them and warned them when things would hurt them. Sexual decision-making is no different. In order to teach your children well, you need to be informed about what is going on in your child’s life and the types of information they may or may not be getting from the media, school and peers.

CASPP’s mission is to address adolescent sexuality and parenting issues from a comprehensive perspective so we have a number of resources available to you.

What is most important for me as a parent to know?

The best thing you can do to protect your child is to listen to them. When we try to understand our children, we come to understand what is most important to them. Instead of preaching to them, listen to them. It’s also important to create teachable moments when you can teach them what is important to you and your family. Educate yourself about what is resources are available to you. Above all, remember your child is special to you and they need to hear how much you love them often.

Websites your child may be looking at or will find on the web

http://www.scarleteen.com/ 
http://www.teenwire.com/ 
http://www.teenpregnancy.org/ 
http://www.avert.org/yngindx.htm 
http://www.youngwomenshealth.org/index.html 
http://missourifamilies.org/adolescents/ 
http://www.bygpub.com/books/tg2rw/index.htm

We also have some research that you can look through

Where can I go to find out how to talk to my child about sex?

Talking with Teens about Sex feature article on MissouriFamilies

What programs do you offer training in?

Connecting for Baby,
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD's), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Pregnancy Prevention
Missouri Volunteer Resource Mothers (MVRM)
Journaling program
Maltreatment and Adolescent Pregnancy and Parenting Program (MAPPP)

How do I find someone certified in one of these curricula?
If you live in the state of Missouri, you can contact your local Extension office. The regional specialist in your area will be able to help you find someone trained to help you and your teen deal with the important topics of sexuality, teen pregnancy and HIV/STD. This link will help you to find the extension office and specialist for your area.  http://extension.missouri.edu/regions/

The Center on Adolescent Sexuality, Pregnancy and Parenting is part of University of Missouri’s College of Human Environmental Sciences (HES) Extension and the Department of Human Development and Family Studies.

We receive grant funding from MO Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, MO Department of Social Services and the US Department of Health and Human Services.