Sexual Health Curriculum

Access and Instruction

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Professional Development for Families

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Following this presentation, families will be able to

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1. Describe the importance of access to health curriculum for all students
2. Inquire and learn about the District’s approach to sexual health curriculum instruction.
3. Share the decision related to their child’s participation in the sexual health component of the district’s health curriculum per Partner District process.
4. Access and use SSD-approved materials and resources to supplement instruction (e.g., social skills, sexual health, character education) for sexual health and high risk behaviors that are in alignment with SSD Board Policy IGAEB - Sexual Health Instruction

Objective #1:

The importance of access to health curriculum for all students.

The Importance of Access to the Health Curriculum for ALL Students

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Prevent abuse, prevent sexual crime or offense, develop healthy relationships, and ensure adult life success.

Connection to Student Success

Equity: All students have access to and learn from the health curriculum, especially sexuality education, per SSD and partner district Board policies.

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The Importance of Access to the Health Curriculum for ALL Students

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Prevent abuse, prevent sexual crime or offense, develop healthy relationships, and ensure adult life success.

Connection to Student Success

Equity: All students have access to and learn from the health curriculum, especially sexuality education, per SSD and partner district Board policies.

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“The rate of rape and sexual assault against people with intellectual disabilities is more than seven times the rate against people without disabilities.”

Normand, C.L &, Sallafranque-St-Louis. Cybervictimization of Young People With an Intellectual or Developmental Disability: Risks Specific to Sexual Solicitation. J Appl Res Intellect Disabil. 2016 Mar;29(2):99-110.

Valenti-Hein, D. & Schwartz, L. (1995). The Sexual Abuse Interview for Those with Developmental Disabilities James Stanfield Company. Santa Barbara: California

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“Among women with intellectual disabilities, it is about 12 times the rate.”

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Normand, C.L &, Sallafranque-St-Louis. Cybervictimization of Young People With an Intellectual or Developmental Disability: Risks Specific to Sexual Solicitation. J Appl Res Intellect Disabil. 2016 Mar;29(2):99-110.

Valenti-Hein, D. & Schwartz, L. (1995). The Sexual Abuse Interview for Those with Developmental Disabilities James Stanfield Company. Santa Barbara: California

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More than ninety percent (90%) of people (both male and female) with developmental disabilities will experience sexual abuse at some point in their lives. Forty-nine percent (49%) will experience ten or more abuse incidents.

Normand, C.L &, Sallafranque-St-Louis. Cybervictimization of Young People With an Intellectual or Developmental Disability: Risks Specific to Sexual Solicitation. J Appl Res Intellect Disabil. 2016 Mar;29(2):99-110.

Valenti-Hein, D. & Schwartz, L. (1995). The Sexual Abuse Interview for Those with Developmental Disabilities James Stanfield Company. Santa Barbara: California

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Internet, social media, and cell phones are increasing this risk exponentially...

Gowen, L. K., & Aue, N. (Eds.) (2011). Sexual Health Disparities Among Disenfranchised Youth. Public Health Division, Oregon Health Authority and Research and Training Center for Pathways to Positive Futures, Portland State University

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Lack of access to

health curriculum

Higher numbers of unplanned pregnancies

and sexually transmitted infections (STI) rates in youth and adults with disabilities.

Gowen, L. K., & Aue, N. (Eds.) (2011). Sexual Health Disparities Among Disenfranchised Youth. Public Health Division, Oregon Health Authority and Research and Training Center for Pathways to Positive Futures, Portland State University

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Lack of or inadequate sexual health education

Youth and adults with disabilities being charged with sexual crimes/offenses/ harassment

The Importance of Access to the Health Curriculum for ALL Students

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Prevent abuse, prevent sexual crime or offense, develop healthy relationships, and ensure adult life success.

Commitment to students and their success.

Equity: All students have access to and learn from the health curriculum, especially sexuality education, per SSD and partner district Board policies.

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To achieve SSD’s mission and vision all curriculum and educational opportunities MUST be included in the planning and delivery of services and supports for all students.

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Mission: To support and empower students of all learning abilities to excel to their greatest potential

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Vision: Every student realizes their fullest potential in life and learning

The Importance of Access to the Health Curriculum for ALL Students

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Prevent abuse, prevent sexual crime or offense, develop healthy relationships, and ensure adult life success.

Connection to Student Success

Equity: All students have access to and learn from the health curriculum, especially sexuality education, per SSD and partner district Board policies.

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SSDs Equity Statement:

Educational Equity exists when EACH STUDENT has opportunity and access to resources that focus on positive learning outcomes. This is achieved through an intentional focus on purposeful engagement, rigorous and individualized instruction, and relevant experiences.

Access to Health Curriculum for ALL Students is CRITICAL

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Objective #2:

Inquire and learn about the District’s approach to sexual health curriculum instruction.

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Be aware of Board Policy and regulations that guide sexual education.

• Board Policy IGAEB - Sexual Health Instruction
• The focus is on promotion of abstinence, STI prevention, legal risks of sexual harassment and abuse, personal responsibility.
• The District will make materials available to review.
• Partner District will also have a Board Policy to review.

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Identify where curriculum and materials are available on the District websites.

• Resources for sexual health.
• Workshops offered through Parent Education and Diversity Awareness (PEDA)
• Resource packets available through Parent Education and Diversity Awareness (PEDA)

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How to ask about your child’s instruction in this area.

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• Is instruction covered only by the Health Teacher?

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• Is some of the information covered in a special education setting (learning about personal space, hygiene, etc.)?

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• Are there additional specialists offering help?

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Understand the District’s process and procedures and where to go for this information

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• Special education team will be your point of contact.
• Your child’s case manager can help you with:
• Identifying where to find resources
• Communicating concerns and needs with the Health Educator
• Parent Education and Diversity Awareness (PEDA) can also help with this.

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So what is your role in supporting your child’s sexual health education?

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• Teach values - this is a role unique to you.

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• Use resources to support learning at home.

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Objective #3:

Share the decision related to your child’s participation in the sexual health component of the District’s health curriculum per Partner District process.

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Be able to use a decision making process about your child’s participation in the sexual health curriculum.

• Key questions to consider:
• Have health educators and special educators determine how they will collaborate?
• Who is creating modifications for the curriculum?
• What preparation is needed?
• How can families support learning at home?
• What strategies are used if there are inappropriate comments or behaviors during instruction?
• Share your decision about participation with the child’s case manager and educational team.

Outcome #4:

Access and use SSD-approved materials and resources to supplement instruction (e.g., social skills, sexual health, character education) for sexual health and high-risk behaviors that are in alignment with SSD Board Policy IGAEB - Sexual Health Instruction

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Accessing and using SSD-approved resources and materials.

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• Talk with your child’s case manager about where to find resources.
• Inquire about the school’s use of resources.

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Following this presentation, families will be able to.

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• Describe the importance of access to health curriculum for all students
• Inquire and learn about the District’s approach to sexual health curriculum instruction.
• Share the decision related to their child’s participation in the sexual health component of the district’s health curriculum per Partner District process.
• Access and use SSD-approved materials and resources to supplement instruction (e.g., social skills, sexual health, character education) for sexual health and high risk behaviors that are in alignment with SSD Board Policy IGAEB - Sexual Health Instruction

For more information, please contact the following SSD supports: