Self-Taught: Former Foster Youth on Sex, Health, and Life

Caring For Yourself With A Newborn

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2065374/open_sms] Kat, Phillisha, Cody, and Sarah share stories and tips about the ups and downs they faced when accessing prenatal care (medical care for someone who is pregnant or planning to become pregnant).  The team talks about little-discussed topics— like caring for yourself after the baby is born and struggling with postpartum depression as a young parent. We created this bonus episode just for you and all the expectant and parenting youth in need of relatable, informative insight.  Content Advisory: The stories we are sharing sometimes touch on different kinds of trauma, please take care of yourself while you listen. Host: Kat, Youth Advisory Board Member Participants:  Phillisha, Youth Advisory Board member Cody, Youth Advisory Board member Sarah Ferguson, Birthing The Block  About Self-Taught: Former Foster Youth on Sex, Health, and Life: Self-Taught: Former Foster Youth on Sex, Health, and Life is a podcast from foster youth, for foster youth, with unfiltered conversations about puberty, relationships, sexual health, identity, and much more that we wish were part of our upbringing. It is hosted by the youth advisory board of the Reproductive Health Equity Project at the National Center for Youth Law. Self-Taught: Former Foster Youth on Sex, Health, and Life is supported through a grant to the National Center for Youth Law from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. We are very grateful for their support. Contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Hilton Foundation. Self-Taught: Former Foster Youth on Sex, Health, and Life is produced in California. Laws, policies and programs discussed in this episode may be specific to California. Watch our episodes at https://rhep.info/self-taught. Learn more about the podcast and the Reproductive Health Equity Project at www.fosterreprohealth.org Email us with questions, comments, and feedback at email@fosterreprohealth.org.

It’s Complicated: Mental Health and Foster Care

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2065374/open_sms] Kat, Elyzabeth, Alexis, and Esme talk about the unique challenges (former) foster youth face when accessing the mental healthcare services they need. Esme, Community Policy Associate, Mental Health Team at National Center for Youth Law, points to key resources that you might find useful, drawn from “A Young Person’s Guide to Accessing Affordable Mental Health Care.” Guests share their stories, including the little and big ways that they take care of themselves. As always, we keep it real.    Resources: A Young Person’s Guide to Accessing Affordable Mental Health Care: https://youthlaw.org/resources/young-persons-guide-accessing-affordable-mental-health-services-under-medi-cal [https://youthlaw.org/resources/young-persons-guide-accessing-affordable-mental-health-services-under-medi-cal] Foster Youth Bill of Rights for the State of California: https://fosteryouthhelp.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/276/2020/10/Foster-Youth-Bill-of-Rights-WIC-16001.9_ADAComplaint.pdf [https://fosteryouthhelp.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/276/2020/10/Foster-Youth-Bill-of-Rights-WIC-16001.9_ADAComplaint.pdf] Content Advisory: The stories we are sharing sometimes touch on different kinds of trauma, please take care of yourself while you listen. Host: Kat, Youth Advisory Board Member  Participants:  Elyzabeth, Youth Advisory Board member Alexis, Youth Advisory Board member Esmeralda Cortez Rosales, Community Policy Associate, Mental Health Team at National Center for Youth Law About Self-Taught: Former Foster Youth on Sex, Health, and Life: Self-Taught: Former Foster Youth on Sex, Health, and Life is a podcast from foster youth, for foster youth, with unfiltered conversations about puberty, relationships, sexual health, identity, and much more that we wish were part of our upbringing. It is hosted by the youth advisory board of the Reproductive Health Equity Project at the National Center for Youth Law. Self-Taught: Former Foster Youth on Sex, Health, and Life is supported through a grant to the National Center for Youth Law from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. We are very grateful for their support. Contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Hilton Foundation. Self-Taught: Former Foster Youth on Sex, Health, and Life is produced in California. Laws, policies and programs discussed in this episode may be specific to California. Watch our episodes at https://rhep.info/self-taught. Learn more about the podcast and the Reproductive Health Equity Project at www.fosterreprohealth.org Email us with questions, comments, and feedback at email@fosterreprohealth.org.

Abortion Care According to Former Foster Youth

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2065374/open_sms] RHEP Youth Advisory Board members Tamar, Phillisha, and Cody discuss abortion care in this open, unflinchingly honest episode.  They share what went into their own decisions when they were pregnant, expand on different kinds of abortion (medication or procedural), explain how to weigh your options, lean on supportive people & more. Alex Morse, Planned Parenthood Community Health Educator, joins the conversation and gives accurate, easy-to-understand abortion care information. It’s your choice—but you don’t have to figure it all out on your own.  Resources: www.ExhaleProVoice.org [http://www.exhaleprovoice.org/] provides after-abortion support.  www.connectandbreathe.org [http://www.connectandbreathe.org/] provides after-abortion support.  www.plannedparenthood.org [http://www.plannedparenthood.org/] www.abortionfinder.org [http://www.abortionfinder.org/] can help you find an abortion provider near you, nationwide.  https://abortion.ca.gov [https://abortion.ca.gov/] can help you find an abortion provider and resources in California. www.teenhealthlaw.org [http://www.teenhealthlaw.org/] provides information on teens' legal rights to consent as it relates to their health and healthcare. 101 Guide to Abortion [https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-michigan/campaigns/101-guide-to-abortion] from Planned Parenthood Teens Guide to Abortion [https://fosterreprohealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Teens-Guide-to-Abortions.pdf] from Planned Parenthood Abortion Rights for California Youth from Planned Parenthood Youth: A Guide for Adult Advocates [https://fosterreprohealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Abortion-Rights-for-CA-Youth-a-Guide-for-Adult-Advocates.pdf] Content Advisory: The stories we are sharing sometimes touch on different kinds of trauma, please take care of yourself while you listen. Host: Tamar, Youth Advisory Board Member  Participants:  Phillisha, Youth Advisory Board member Brandy, Youth Advisory Board member Alex Morse, Planned Parenthood Community Health Educator About Self-Taught: Former Foster Youth on Sex, Health, and Life: Self-Taught: Former Foster Youth on Sex, Health, and Life is a podcast from foster youth, for foster youth, with unfiltered conversations about puberty, relationships, sexual health, identity, and much more that we wish were part of our upbringing. It is hosted by the youth advisory board of the Reproductive Health Equity Project at the National Center for Youth Law. Self-Taught: Former Foster Youth on Sex, Health, and Life is supported through a grant to the National Center for Youth Law from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. We are very grateful for their support. Contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Hilton Foundation. Self-Taught: Former Foster Youth on Sex, Health, and Life is produced in California. Laws, policies and programs discussed in this episode may be specific to California. Watch our episodes at https://rhep.info/self-taught. Learn more about the podcast and the Reproductive Health Equity Project at www.fosterreprohealth.org Email us with questions, comments, and feedback at email@fosterreprohealth.org.

What Foster Youth Need To Know About Prenatal Care

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2065374/open_sms] What should foster youth expect from pregnancy and prenatal care? Kat, Cody, Phillisha and Sarah talk about getting the care you need leading up to birth, which is known as prenatal care.  They dive into getting the support you need from the medical system, building your own support system, and exploring the  parts of pregnancy or starting a family that people who have been in foster care might experience differently. Plus, they share helpful pre and post-natal resources that helped them and could help you, too.   Resources: Planned Parenthood [https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/pregnancy]: a trusted healthcare provider whose mission is to ensure all people have access to the care and resources they need to make informed decisions about their bodies, their lives, and their futures Black Infant Health [http://www.blackinfanthealth.org/]: an organization that empowers pregnant and mothering Black women using an evidence-informed group-based approach, where participants get to meet, interact and build a sisterhood with other Black women. Birthworkers of Color Collective [http://www.birthworkersofcolor.com/]: an organization that connects pregnant/birthing and postpartum individuals, their families, and larger communities with educational, emotional, and physical support through all pregnancy & postpartum outcomes Frontline Doulas [http://www.frontlinedoulas.com/]: a health program providing Black families with Black doulas at no cost RHEP’s analysis of the California Department of Social Services’ report [https://fosterreprohealth.org/new-landmark-report-examines-reproductive-health-outcomes-for-california-youth-in-foster-care-highlights-where-better-support-is-needed/] that shows disparities in healthcare, including prenatal care.  Content Advisory: The stories we are sharing sometimes touch on different kinds of trauma, please take care of yourself while you listen. Host: Kat, Youth Advisory Board Member Participants:  Phillisha, Youth Advisory Board member Cody, Youth Advisory Board member Sarah Ferguson, Birthing The Block  About Self-Taught: Former Foster Youth on Sex, Health, and Life: Self-Taught: Former Foster Youth on Sex, Health, and Life is a podcast from foster youth, for foster youth, with unfiltered conversations about puberty, relationships, sexual health, identity, and much more that we wish were part of our upbringing. It is hosted by the youth advisory board of the Reproductive Health Equity Project at the National Center for Youth Law. Self-Taught: Former Foster Youth on Sex, Health, and Life is supported through a grant to the National Center for Youth Law from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. We are very grateful for their support. Contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Hilton Foundation. Self-Taught: Former Foster Youth on Sex, Health, and Life is produced in California. Laws, policies and programs discussed in this episode may be specific to California. Watch our episodes at https://rhep.info/self-taught. Learn more about the podcast and the Reproductive Health Equity Project at www.fosterreprohealth.org Email us with questions, comments, and feedback at email@fosterreprohealth.org.

Former Foster Youth On Preventing Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2065374/open_sms] Let’s talk about how to stay safe and prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs), also known as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). We discuss methods for safe sex, relatable accounts of what it’s like to navigate the healthcare system with an STI, shaking off stigma, being open and feeling safe with partners, and more.  Tamar and Cody of RHEP’s Youth Advisory Board are joined by Lonnell Schuler, Black Women for Wellness, program lead for Get Smart B4U Get Sexy. If you have any questions about this critical information, be sure to check out these useful resources: Content Advisory: The stories we are sharing sometimes touch on different kinds of trauma, please take care of yourself while you listen. Resources: * About Condoms [https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control/condom] (including video for how to put on a condom), Planned Parenthood * Birth Control, Condom [https://www.bedsider.org/birth-control/condom], Bedsider * Birth Control, Internal Condom [https://www.bedsider.org/birth-control/internal_condom], Bedsider * About Dental Dams, [https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-pacific-southwest/blog/dental-dams-unwrapped] Planned Parenthood * What is PrEP? [https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/stds-hiv-safer-sex/hiv-aids/prep#:~:text=PrEP%20stands%20for%20pre%2Dexposure,sex%20by%20up%20to%2099%25.] Planned Parenthood * What is PEP? [https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/stds-hiv-safer-sex/hiv-aids/pep] Planned Parenthood * Black Women for Wellness [https://bwwla.org/]: an organization committed to advancing the health and well-being of Black women & girls through education, empowerment and advocacy * TeenSource [https://www.teensource.org/]: Teen health resources and information on STI's, Birth Control and free health clinics and health resources near you * APLA Health [https://aplahealth.org/]: providing world-class LGBTQ+ empowering healthcare, HIV specialty care, food, housing and other essential support services * DontThinkKnow.org [http://dontthinkknow.org/]: a way to get STI testing from home Host: Tamar, Youth Advisory Board Member Participants:  Cody, Youth Advisory Board Member Lonnell Schuler, Black Women for Wellness, program lead for Get Smart B4U Get Sexy About Self-Taught: Former Foster Youth on Sex, Health, and Life: Self-Taught: Former Foster Youth on Sex, Health, and Life is a podcast from foster youth, for foster youth, with unfiltered conversations about puberty, relationships, sexual health, identity, and much more that we wish were part of our upbringing. It is hosted by the youth advisory board of the Reproductive Health Equity Project at the National Center for Youth Law. Self-Taught: Former Foster Youth on Sex, Health, and Life is supported through a grant to the National Center for Youth Law from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. We are very grateful for their support. Contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Hilton Foundation. Self-Taught: Former Foster Youth on Sex, Health, and Life is produced in California. Laws, policies and programs discussed in this episode may be specific to California. Watch our episodes at https://rhep.info/self-taught. Learn more about the podcast and the Reproductive Health Equity Project at www.fosterreprohealth.org Email us with questions, comments, and feedback at email@fosterreprohealth.org.