Profiles

Sue Simonson, ICCE (International Certified Childbirth Educator) has worked as a childbirth instructor, parent educator and sexuality educator for the past 31 years, specializing in teaching pregnant and parenting teens.  She has recently certified as both a Gottman Educator and a Happiest Baby on the Block Educator. She has been presenting workshops in the community on Family Communication Regarding Sexuality for over twenty years and is dedicated to helping parents and their children build a foundation of open communication about sexual issues.  As a mother of four, she feels strongly that this communication will result in healthier sexual decisions by teens and a brighter future for our children.

 Sue has presented to thousands of parents and students throughout the years at schools, churches and various community groups, as well as, being an invited national ‘Think Tank’ participant on Parent/Child Connectedness for the Annie E. Casey Foundation and Educational Training Research Associates (ETR).  She has presented sexuality programs for 19 years through an Office of Family Planning Grant with American River Hospital and Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento.  She has been a sought after presenter at such conferences as the State Office of Family Planning Leadership Conferences, CACSAP (California Alliance Concerned with School Age Parenting and Pregnancy Prevention), CEWAER (California Elected Women’s Association for Education and Research), La Leche League area wide conferences, Youth for Christ Tough Choices Conference, Yolo County Child Development Conference, CLASS Convention (Church Leadership and Service Seminars, Inc.) as well as a regular spokesperson on TV, radio and in print sharing the message:

"Children not taught by their parents, will be taught by the world" - Akan

Sue’s goal is to help equip families to connect strongly and communicate more easily and accurately about sexuality, building a foundation to help youth to make healthy sexual decisions enhancing their chances for a brighter future.  Youth presenters, that open parent’s eyes to the reality of what is going on sexually with our youth today, often accompany her.

Now Sue has added the important work of Harvey Karp and John Gottman to her certifications, offering both Happiest Baby on the Block presentations and Bringing Baby Home workshops. These enhance both the skills of parents and the satisfaction in the parenting and couple relationship.

Mary Rose Simonson started presenting with her mom when she was 12.  At the age of 14 she won Grand Prize in the state-wide teen pregnancy prevention “It’s Up To Me” ad contest sponsored by the State Office of Family Planning.  At age 17 she was awarded the Sacramento County “Youth Inspire” award for her work in the field of teen pregnancy prevention.   Mary Rose began working with her mom operating all the technology used in the presentations and soon was asked by parents to give insight into a teen’s world.  Over the years she has grown to present on topics such as, sexual pressures teens face, the importance of parent/child connectedness, pornography and assertiveness training.   She leads all teen breakout sessions.  She is comfortable with both large and small groups, parents and teens, and in front of a camera.  Mary Rose has proven, even at her young age, she can truly make a difference in the lives of families.   Comments received include, "Mary Rose was essential providing real, authentic, current info on what is going on and how steps can be taken to communicate about it.”   In a recent essay, Mary Rose wrote, "Many of the fathers I speak to don't know how important their love is to their daughters. I tell them to love their daughters and show them what it is to be respected and loved, so that they never settle for harmful relationships." Now a graduate in Psychology from William Jessup University, Mary Rose continues to carry a message about the importance of parents communicating with their children about sexuality.