About Can We Talk?

What is it? :“Can We Talk?” is a series of parent workshops developed by The National Education Association Health Information Network for families to address HIV prevention, teen pregnancy, and sexually transmitted diseases in a healthy, hands on, and productive manner even before children become sexually active. 

What do workshops cover?: In the workshops parents and educators can talk about puberty and sexuality, self esteem, violence prevention, mixed messages bullying and harassment, drugs and alcohol and peer pressure and bring vital resources to support them on these topics. Self esteem, puberty and sexuality, mixed messages and peer pressure are the core topics that form the “Can We Talk?” series:  Each workshop contains content for one hour interactive session which encourages group discussion, home activities between parent and child to focus on the process of communication. 

Target Audience: Our target audience is 10 - 14 year olds and the parents of 10 - 14 year olds. This year we are looking forward to the participation of fathers in the Can We Talk? Program.

Best Practices: The National Education Association Health Information Network designed the “Can We Talk?” Program to incorporate the best practices in adult education, professional development, and parenting education. We recognize the immense pressure associated with raising a family, especially when both parents work, the household is managed by a single-parent, or the neighborhood has high unemployment and underemployment. “Can We Talk?” materials use creativity and humor, in the form of animated cartoon videos and cartoon activities, to reach parents and their children in a non-threatening manner that respects diverse backgrounds and values.

“Can We Talk?”: is structured to meet the needs of families with many pressing day to day issues and responsibilities. The design is flexible, easy to follow, and self contained thereby allowing meaningful educational experiences for adults.