Adolescent Health Highlights

Promoting positive adolescent health continues to be an important goal for social workers, and NASW remains committed to addressing these issues. To maintain and improve the health status of adolescents, NASW continues to collaborate with external agencies and organizations. A primary focus this quarter has been on connecting policy, practice, and research to improve adolescent health outcomes.

• The 8^th year of the Partnership in Program Planning for Adolescent Health Project (PIPPAH) began in August 2003. Projects are continuing to be developed with the partners: the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, American Medical Association, American Bar Association, American College of Preventive Medicine, American Dietetic Association, American School Health Association, and the American Nursing Association.
• NASW is serving as an advisor to Health and Human Services, Office of Women’s Health on their calendar for adolescent girls.
• NASW participated in several conferences and symposia focused on adolescent issues, including the Middle Childhood Association Conference, the Howard University College of Medicine’s “Impulsivity and Aggression with Adolescents” conference, and the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s “Kids Count Data Book” presentation at the National Press Club.
• The NASW Standards for Social Work with Adolescents were approved by the NASW board of directors, and will soon be available on the Web site and in print.
• A new practice update on adolescents and club drugs is available at http://www.socialworkers.org/practice/adolescent_health/ah1003.pdf
• A new “Tip Sheet for Parents of Teens” was developed in August 2003, and is available at http://www.socialworkers.org/pippah/tips/parents.asp
• The PIPPAH Web site continues to be updated with new products, including newly created tip sheets, practice updates, and provider resources. This site is located at: https://www.socialworkers.org/pippah/default.htm
• NASW is participating in the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Maternal and Child Health Bureau’s National Bullying Prevention Campaign.  Currently NASW serves on the mental health implementation workgroup for this campaign. This workgroup meets monthly and recommends and reviews materials to be used in the bullying campaign, expected to launch in November 2003. The campaign materials will include fact sheets, tip sheets, and public service announcements that address bullying issues and interventions.
• NASW participated in a panel presentation for parents involved in the bullying campaign. This presentation focused on specific interventions used by social workers to combat bullying. 
• NASW has developed a four-part series on school-age youth and bullying. The series is available at http://www.socialworkers.org/practice/school/default.asp
• NASW has also developed a new brochure, “Youth Bullying: How Social Workers Can Help,” which is available through the NASW Press at http://www.naswpress.org/publications/brochures/youth_bullying/A90.html
• NASW also participated in the “Bullying Conference” presented by the Institute for Mental Health Initiatives (IMHI), at the George Washington School of Public Health and Health Services. This conference provided information on bullying in schools and appropriate interventions for professionals, parents, and youths. The conference also featured a discussion on positive media portrayals of youths, parents, and professionals confronting bullying.