Oregon Sets the Pace for School Based Health Clinics, Watch Out!

In 2015, the Adolescent Sexuality Conference in Seaside, Oregon was canceled due to public outcry over its content, including discussions on porn and drug use during sex. Recently, similar figures re-emerged at the Joining Our Youth (JOY) Conference held at Oregon State University. This event, focusing on school-based health clinics, aimed to empower youth to access a range of health services, including mental health and gender-affirming care.

The JOY Conference, supported by the Oregon School-Based Health Alliance and the Hallie E. Ford Center for Healthy Children and Families, brought together over 200 attendees, including youth leaders, educators, and health practitioners. The conference provided interactive activities and workshops aimed at promoting health services through youth-adult partnerships and included discussions on culturally responsive clinical approaches and policy sustainability.

However, the event has been met with criticism. One example involves Shantel Waddell, who discussed extending day programs for community schools. This follows a recent lawsuit where a program she was involved with was accused of mishandling a sexual assault case involving minors. Another presenter, Nicole Mayer, focused on enhancing youth/adult partnerships, emphasizing her diverse identity and commitment to various social issues, which some may see as a push towards activism rather than education.

Furthermore, Haley Hedrick from the Doernbecher Gender Clinic discussed supporting gender diverse youth, emphasizing resilience amidst political and cultural challenges. She offered insights into both medical and non-medical pathways for gender affirmation, emphasizing youth-centered decision-making models.

Critics of the JOY Conference argue that its strong focus on youth empowerment and engagement could veer into activism, potentially sidelining parental involvement in the developmental and educational processes of their children. The conference literature notably lacked any mention of parental roles, raising concerns about the exclusion of parents from discussions about their children’s health and education.

This event reflects ongoing tensions between educational initiatives aimed at inclusivity and community responses that demand more traditional approaches to education and parental involvement.