The California Family Health Council (CFHC) and the California STD/HIV Prevention Training Center (CA PTC) have created an online resource for youth providers on how to develop low-budget social marketing campaigns on sexual and reproductive health. 

This web-based toolkit on Social Marketing is organized with separate pages on the following topic areas.  Each page contains planning tools, examples and numerous links to additional resources. This toolkit is designed to guide you through each step of the process.

o   What is social marketing? Learn exactly what social marketing is and how it differs from commercial marketing.

o   What's going on? Defining the Problem. Take your first steps toward creating successful messages. This section explains how to gather data, define the problem and identify the priority population.

o   What do you want to say? Make your message real and popular. Most people are influenced by the ideas and behaviors of others. Develop measurable objectives that best suit your staff and community.

o   Do It! Choose your campaign methods and a media mix that is considerate of both the priority population and your budget limitations. Learn how to evaluate your process and outcomes. Repeat the above steps to incorporate the evaluation information you gathered along the way!

o   Sally! A Case Study Follow Sally, a local county health department employee, as she creates an effective and affordable social marketing campaign.

o   Social Marketing Toolbox Find worksheets, websites and other tools to assist you every step of the way.

o   Campaign Samples See examples of real social marketing campaigns launched by youth-based organizations.

On October 16, 2009, the FDA approved a new way to protect your sons  from genital warts.  The HPV vaccine, which is already recommended for girls, can now be given to boys between 9-26 years old.  The vaccine is very good at protecting people from genital warts, and it works best if boys and girls  gets the vaccine before they start having sex. For more information about HPV and HPV vaccines, click here.

Hollywood and the fashion, cosmetics and diet industries work hard to make each of us believe that our bodies are unacceptable and need constant improvement.  Be part of the campaign to change how the media portray women.  Celebrate Love Your Body Day October 21!

Independence Day sets the tone for July and the summer season. This month SWAP brings that holiday spirit into your workplace to focus on the sexual health and education rights of youth.  Rely on the SWAP feature, Youth Issues: Health Rights and Comprehensive Sex Education, to link you to updated information and effective resources.

Visit the SWAP Site for a wide variety of education and promotional materials.

Youth can get weekly sexual health info and life advice sent straight to their phones! They can also find the nearest clinic for low or no cost sexual health services. Text HOOKUP to 365247 and sign up today. Standard rates apply, it’s just like texting friends.

Advocates for Youth want you to Take Action for Change! Check out what you can do to make a difference and support sexual health education and services.

The Advocates for Youth website has a resource section for health care providers, educators, and other adults working with youth.

If you work with young adults, make sure to let them know about Teensource.org, CFHC’s sexual health website for youth ages 13-24. It provides useful information on healthy and responsible sexual choices. Youth can find medically accurate information on sexual and reproductive health, relationships and other issues that impact them, all in an entertaining and interactive format. [Continue]

Young women 15 – 24 account for more than 50% of all reported chlamydia cases annually. The CDC recommends that all sexually active women under age 25 get screened for chlamydia every year, yet fewer than half receive this service. To address this issue, CFHC developed the Educational Partnerships to Increase Chlamydia Screening (EPICS) Program in 2007. The program provides funding, training and technical assistance to Title X agencies that operate school based health centers. [Continue]