MICHIGAN: Forum Encourages Frank Talk on Sex

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2005. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

MICHIGAN: Forum Encourages Frank Talk on Sex

Detroit News (12.11.05) - Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Delores Patterson

Initiated by Gov. Jennifer Granholm, "Talk Early & Talk Often" (TETO) is a free education program designed to help parents talk with their kids about sexuality. TETO is a joint effort by the Michigan departments of Education and Community Health to reduce the number of unintended pregnancies in the state. In 2003, more than 12,000 teens in the state gave birth, and another 18,000 were diagnosed with STDs, including HIV.

Launched in October, TETO will connect with 60 communities by year's end. TETO's objective is to teach parents how to talk and be receptive as their children's primary abstinence and sexuality educator.

"We're not telling parents what they should say because that's up to their own value system," said Barb Flis, TETO's coordinator. "We're helping them get comfortable with an area that most of us don't feel equipped to talk about, since many of our parents didn't talk about it with us."

"It's important that our kids hear from us on the subject, especially when they are faced with so many negative messages about sexuality in the media, which is frustrating, but parents really do make a difference," Flis said. "And the neat thing about this program is that parents can learn and share information with each other."

Already, TETO has been held in communities in metro Detroit, including Ferndale, Birmingham and Commerce Township. Once the $75,000 TETO pilot is assessed, officials will determine whether to continue it and how to secure financial support.

Each 90-minute TETO workshop is limited to 30 people. On Tuesday, Dec. 13, TETO will be held at Family Victory Fellowship, 19421 W. 10 Mile, Southfield. For more information, telephone 248-354-1990.
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