Teen Speak NJ, a statewide resource for parents, caregivers, and professionals to engage in essential conversations with teens, has launched its new website. Funded by the New Jersey Department of Health, Division of Family Health Services, Child and Adolescent Health Program, it is maintained by the Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern New Jersey.
“The website is going to be a hub for every parent, caregiver, or professional in New Jersey to have teen resources,” said Yaneli Rios, Teen Speak NJ Program Coordinator.
What is Teen Speak NJ?
Teen Speak NJ incorporates the evidence-informed Teen Speak program developed by Dr. Jennifer Salerno of Possibilities for Change and is a part of the Statewide Parent and Professional Engagement Program (SPEP). Teen Speak is a free interactive workshop that teaches parents and caregivers of adolescents ages 8-24 techniques and strategies to improve communication with youth, focusing on building trusted adult relationships to reduce risky behaviors and improve teens’ decision-making skills.
Even though parents and caregivers often know what their children need, vulnerable topics can create barriers to effective communication. SPEP aims to bridge that gap by providing education and actionable tools through programs like Teen Speak, which help improve adult-child communication.
Improving Adult-Child Communication to Support Better Outcomes for Teens
According to a 2023 report from the Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics, about 77% of adolescent deaths are due to injuries, including unintentional injuries, homicide, and suicide, which are linked to risk and health behaviors. Research has shown that youth with a trusted adult in their lives experience reduced risk factors and behaviors, underscoring the importance of adults establishing dependable, caring relationships with young people to support better overall outcomes. Once a child identifies a dependable and caring adult, it is easier for them to have conversations about sensitive topics or mental health issues they may be experiencing.
“I’ve witnessed firsthand how this program empowers parents, caregivers, and youth-serving professionals with the confidence and skills to have meaningful, open conversations with their teens. Teen Speak equips adults with the necessary tools to form trusting relationships with youth and helps to foster a culture where young people truly feel heard,” said Rupa Ravi, Partnership Teen Health Educator and Teen Speak Facilitator.
The Teen Speak Experience
Teen Speak offers workshops in-person or virtually to accommodate busy schedules and facilitates them in both English and Spanish. Professionals, schools, organizations, Family Success Centers, and parents’ groups can also use the website to request a workshop, learn more, or collaborate with Teen Speak.
Program participants can expect an engaging and interactive education workshop that is welcoming and safe for parents, caregivers, and professionals to share, learn, and grow together. Completing the workshop also brings exciting incentives.
“At the end of the workshop, attendees often share that they feel supported and like they’re not alone. Before the workshop, many felt like they really didn’t have anybody to talk to,” Rios said. “I always tell participants, you’re going to leave with a bunch of strategies. If you see that one thing isn’t working, you can go to the next strategy. If you see that that strategy is working, you can try it again in different situations.”
The new Teen Speak NJ website is an integral resource and hub for youth caregivers and professionals. The new site provides helpful information and makes it easy to register for a Teen Speak workshop or to learn more about collaborating with the program.
The Teen Speak team is actively seeking community or youth-based organizations and schools to collaborate with to bring the workshop to their communities. Visit teenspeaknj.org to bring the program to your community, register for a workshop, access resources, and more.